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Topic hub · flight delay rights

UK Flight Delay & Cancellation Rights (UK261)

Start with the free compensation calculator, choose your airline, or go straight to the problem you need to solve. These guides explain delayed and cancelled flights, meals and hotels, missed connections and what to do after a rejected claim.

Quick Answer

What is UK Flight Delay & Cancellation Rights (UK261)?

For UK flight delay and cancellation compensation, first check the route, operating airline, timings and cause. Eligible claims can pay up to £520 per passenger, with reductions in some cases. Use the calculator and airline guides to prepare a direct claim. Refunds, replacement travel and care are separate rights.

Check flight compensation

Flight compensation by airline

Choose your operating airline for delay and cancellation claim guidance. Check the company that flew the service, which can differ from the name on your booking.

Airline not listed? Use the full airline directory and the UK261 coverage guide. A UK departure can be covered on any airline; an arrival into the UK has different operator rules. This is UK guidance, not a promise of worldwide compensation.

Help for your flight disruption

Explore FlightLogic guides, reviews and tools in this topic. Check official sources where rules or fees can change.

UK flight delay and cancellation compensation guide

Eligibility · amounts · cancellation notice · claim steps

Extraordinary circumstances — what counts

Technical faults · crew sickness · weather · strikes

WestJet strike cancellations — passenger rights

Own-staff strikes · refunds · UK–Canada itineraries

Claim rejected — ADR & small claims appeal

CEDR · AviationADR · CAA · no claims firm

Duty of care — meals, hotels, reimbursement

Separate from compensation · receipt rules

Prove delay time — arrival evidence

Door-open rule · FlightRadar24 · sample wording

Missed connections & codeshare rules

Single PNR vs separate tickets · operating carrier

Stuck at the airport — duty of care now

Vouchers · hotel · same-day evidence

Ryanair delay and cancellation compensation

AviationADR · Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh routes

easyJet delay and cancellation compensation

AviationADR · Gatwick, Luton disruption

British Airways delay and cancellation compensation

CEDR · Heathrow missed connections

Jet2 delay and cancellation compensation

CAA PACT · package vs flight-only claims

TUI Airways delay and cancellation compensation

AviationADR · package-holiday overlap

Wizz Air delay and cancellation compensation

AviationADR · Luton, Gatwick short-haul

Virgin Atlantic delay and cancellation compensation

AviationADR · Heathrow long-haul duty of care

Aer Lingus delay and cancellation compensation

CAA PACT · Dublin transatlantic connections

Lufthansa delay and cancellation compensation

Overseas ADR · Frankfurt, Munich connections

KLM delay and cancellation compensation

AviationADR · Schiphol missed connections

American Airlines delay and cancellation compensation

CAA PACT · UK-departure flights only

Flight delay and cancellation compensation calculator

Conditional amounts · evidence checklist · claim letter

EU261 & US delay rules (comparison)

EU departures · DOT refund rules

Schedule change rights (pre-travel)

Minor vs significant · flight number change

Cancellation refund rights

14-day notice · re-routing windows

Section 75 when airlines refuse refunds

Card issuer liability · stacks with UK261

Travel insurance vs UK261

Delay lump sums · do not double-claim

Hub FAQ

How much can I claim for a delayed flight in the UK?

Eligible UK261 arrival delays of at least three hours can attract £220 up to 1,500 km, £350 over 1,500 to 3,500 km, or £260/£520 over 3,500 km depending on the delay. The route and cause matter; exact timing boundaries need review. Use /flight-compensation-calculator/ before choosing an amount.

Do I need a claims company for UK261?

No. A direct claim to the operating airline is free. If unresolved, check its current ADR membership, any scheme fee conditions and the CAA complaints process. A claims company is optional; read its full fees before agreeing. See /guides/flight-delay-claim-rejected-appeal-uk.

Am I owed a hotel during a long delay even if weather caused it?

Duty of care (meals, hotel, calls) often applies regardless of extraordinary circumstances once delay thresholds are met. Fixed cash compensation may not — see /guides/flight-delay-duty-of-care-reimbursement-uk.