Your core choices under UK261
When a flight is cancelled, the airline must offer: (1) full refund of the ticket price within seven days for all unused segments, or (2) re-routing to your final destination under comparable conditions at the earliest opportunity — or later if you prefer.
When a flight is cancelled, the airline must offer: (1) full refund of the ticket price within seven days for all unused segments, or (2) re-routing to your final destination under comparable conditions at the earliest opportunity — or later if you prefer.
You choose — not the airline. Vouchers-only offers breach UK261 if you want cash. Accept vouchers only voluntarily.
Duty of care (meals, hotels) applies while you wait for re-routing if you are already at the airport — see /guides/flight-delay-duty-of-care-reimbursement-uk-2026.
When cancellation compensation applies
Fixed compensation is owed when: the cancellation is within the airline's control (not extraordinary circumstances), you were informed less than 14 days before scheduled departure, and the airline did not offer re-routing that arrives within defined windows of your original schedule.
Fixed compensation is owed when: the cancellation is within the airline's control (not extraordinary circumstances), you were informed less than 14 days before scheduled departure, and the airline did not offer re-routing that arrives within defined windows of your original schedule.
Re-routing windows (simplified): notified 7–13 days before — re-routing must depart up to 2 hours before original time and arrive up to 4 hours after. Notified under 7 days — depart up to 1 hour before, arrive up to 2 hours after. Outside these windows, compensation is due even if you took the alternative flight.
Same distance tiers as delays: £220 (≤1,500 km), £350 (1,500–3,500 km), £260/£520 (long-haul by delay length at arrival on re-routed flight if applicable).
14+ days notice and extraordinary circumstances
Cancelled with more than 14 days notice: refund or re-route still available, but fixed compensation typically does not apply — the airline had time to arrange alternatives.
Cancelled with more than 14 days notice: refund or re-route still available, but fixed compensation typically does not apply — the airline had time to arrange alternatives.
Extraordinary circumstances: airline may avoid compensation but must still offer refund/re-routing when it cancels the service entirely. Partial operations during storms differ — if your specific flight is cancelled for weather, compensation may be exempt; if flown late due to technical fault, delay compensation may apply instead.
Challenge vague "operational" cancellations — request specific cause. See /guides/flight-delay-extraordinary-circumstances-uk-2026.
Package holidays, separate returns, and insolvency
Package holidays: UK261 compensation claims against the operating airline; ATOL protects against operator failure — /guides/package-holiday-atol-rights-uk-2026. Refund rights may also exist under Package Travel Regulations for significant changes.
Package holidays: UK261 compensation claims against the operating airline; ATOL protects against operator failure — /guides/package-holiday-atol-rights-uk-2026. Refund rights may also exist under Package Travel Regulations for significant changes.
Separate outbound and return bookings: cancellation of outbound does not automatically refund return on a different booking — each ticket stands alone unless single PNR.
Airline insolvency: claim ATOL/ABTA if package; Section 75 on £100+ credit card bookings direct with airline — /guides/section-75-flight-holiday-bookings-uk. UK261 compensation is a creditor claim and often worthless post-collapse — prioritise refunds.
How to claim cancellation compensation
Use the airline online form with cancellation notice date, original schedule, and re-routing offered (if any). Quote UK261 and state whether you took refund or re-route.
Use the airline online form with cancellation notice date, original schedule, and re-routing offered (if any). Quote UK261 and state whether you took refund or re-route.
If rejected, escalate per /guides/flight-delay-claim-rejected-appeal-uk-2026. US DOT rules differ — /guides/us-flight-cancellation-refund-rights-dot for transatlantic US-carrier segments.