How much compensation do I get for a delayed flight?

If you arrive more than 3 hours late and the cause was within the airline's control: £220 for flights under 1,500 km, £350 for 1,500 to 3,500 km, and over 3,500 km £260 if 3 to 4 hours late or £520 if more than 4 hours late.

Is the delay measured at take-off or landing?

At arrival at your final destination. You need to arrive more than 3 hours late.

How long do I have to claim?

Generally 6 years in England and Wales and 5 years in Scotland. Claim from the airline first.

Guides › Flights › Flight Delayed? How to Claim Compensation (UK261)

Flight Delayed? How to Claim Compensation (UK261)

If your flight reached its final destination more than 3 hours late and the cause was within the airline’s control, you may be owed fixed compensation of £220, £350, £260 or £520 per passenger, depending on the distance and how late you were. Claim from the airline first, in writing.

Rules checked with our Flights guide General information, not legal advice

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At A Glance

3 hourslate arriving at your final destination

£220 to £520per passenger, depending on distance and delay

6 yearsto claim in England and Wales (5 in Scotland)

Your Rights

What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.

Compensation for Delays

Compensation for Long Delays
Delays: you may get compensation if you arrive more than 3 hours late at your destination airport. The amount is fixed and does not depend on the price you paid: £220 under 1,500 km, £350 for 1,500 to 3,500 km, and over 3,500 km £260 if 3 to 4 hours late or £520 if more than 4 hours late. source
Extraordinary Circumstances
No compensation is due if the cause was extraordinary circumstances, for example extreme weather or airport or air traffic control strikes. Your rights to care, a refund or re-routing still apply. source
Connecting Flights
Connecting flights on a single booking are judged by the distance between your first and last airports. Separate bookings (self-transfer) have no statutory right to care, compensation or onward transport for the missed connection. source
Which Flights Are Covered
UK flight rules (UK261) cover flights leaving a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving in the UK on an EU or UK airline, and flights arriving in the EU on a UK airline. source

Care and Refunds During A Delay

Care and Assistance
Care and assistance for long delays, whatever the cause: once the delay reaches 2 hours (under 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km) you should get food and drink suited to the wait, two phone calls or emails, and a hotel and transport if the delay is overnight. source
Delays of 5 Hours or More
If a delay is at least 5 hours you can choose not to travel and get a refund for the unused flights. The CAA advises against this if you still want to travel. source

Time Limits to Know

Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.

3 hours
Delay that qualifies for compensationMore than 3 hours late arriving at your final destination
2 to 4 hours
Care and assistance for a delayFrom 2 hours (under 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km)
5 hours
Choose a refund instead of travellingIf the delay is at least 5 hours
8 weeks
Airline should reply to your complaintWithin 8 weeks, then you can escalate to ADR or the CAA
6 years
Legal claim for compensationGenerally 6 years in England and Wales, 5 years in Scotland (the CAA page does not state a limit, so check before you wait)

Steps to Take

Step 1 of 5

Gather your booking reference, flight number, date, boarding pass and receipts for any extra costs.

Step 2 of 5

Write down the actual arrival time at your final destination. The airline or a flight-tracking site can confirm it.

Step 3 of 5

Claim from the airline in writing and ask what caused the delay. Use the ready-to-use letter further down this page.

Step 4 of 5

If the airline refuses, or has not replied within 8 weeks, go to its ADR scheme, or to the Civil Aviation Authority if it is not in one.

Step 5 of 5

Not sure your flight qualifies? Use our flight delay checker first.

(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)

Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right

Your options, in order, and when each one applies.

Airline's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Provider

You are unhappy with the airline's final response, or it has taken more than 8 weeks to reply, and the airline belongs to an ADR scheme.

Civil Aviation Authority: Passenger Advice and Complaints Team

The airline is not in an ADR scheme, after you have complained to the airline first.

Small Claims Court

The airline refuses and you want to claim the fixed compensation. Check the time limit first.

Good to Know

Small things that make your complaint stronger.

The 3 hours is measured at your final destination. A late take-off does not count if you still arrived less than 3 hours late.

The compensation is a fixed amount. It does not depend on what you paid for the ticket.

If the airline says the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, ask it to explain what happened. Care and assistance still applies whatever the cause.

Keep receipts for food, drink, hotels and transport during the delay.

Ready-to-Use Letter

Copy this, fill in the square brackets and send it in writing. Keep a copy and proof of sending.

Subject: Claim for compensation under UK261, flight [flight number] on [date]

Dear [airline] customer relations,

I was a passenger on flight [flight number] from [departure airport] to [arrival airport] on [date], booking reference [reference]. We arrived at our final destination at [actual arrival time], which was [number] hours after the scheduled arrival time of [scheduled time].

Under UK261, I believe I am entitled to compensation of [amount] for each of the [number] passengers on this booking. Please tell me in writing what caused the delay and, if you say extraordinary circumstances applied, give the evidence.

Please pay [total amount] to me within 14 days, to the account I will give you on request. If you do not agree, please send me your final response and the name of the alternative dispute resolution body you use.

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

More free letter templates

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Lead reviewer

Luke Marley

Founder and Lead Reviewer

Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.

Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.

Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.

Sources and official links

caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/delays Checked 12 October 2026
caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancellations Checked 12 October 2026
caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-to-claim-compensation Checked 12 October 2026
gov.uk/make-a-court-claim-for-money Checked 8 October 2026