UK travellers experiencing flight delays may be entitled to compensation and assistance under UK261 regulations. These rules apply to flights departing from a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving in the UK operated by a UK or EU airline, and flights arriving in the EU on a UK airline.
Compensation may be due if a flight arrives at its destination more than three hours later than scheduled, provided the delay is the airline's responsibility. The amount of compensation is fixed and depends on the flight distance and, for longer flights, the exact delay duration. For flights under 1,500km, compensation is £220 per person. Flights between 1,500km and 3,500km qualify for £350. For journeys over 3,500km, passengers can receive £260 for delays of three to four hours, increasing to £520 for delays over four hours, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Airlines also have a duty to provide care for shorter delays. For flights under 1,500km, passengers delayed by at least two hours are entitled to appropriate care, including food, drink, and communication. This threshold is three hours for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, and four hours for journeys longer than 3,500km. If stranded overnight, airlines should provide hotel accommodation and transport. If the airline cannot arrange these, travellers can make their own arrangements and claim reimbursement, keeping itemised receipts.
Compensation is not typically paid automatically; passengers need to contact the airline directly to make a claim. It is advisable to keep booking confirmations, boarding passes, flight details, and any communication explaining the delay. If a claim is rejected, passengers may be able to take their complaint to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider or the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team.