Short answer
How much is UK flight compensation?
UK flight compensation is £220, £350 or £520 per passenger under assimilated Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 when you reach your final destination three or more hours late, the flight is cancelled at short notice, or you are denied boarding, and the cause is the airline’s responsibility. Distance sets the amount, not the ticket price. A delay under three hours does not qualify for this payment.
Which flights UK law covers
The departure airport and the airline decide whether a claim falls under UK or EU rules.
- Any flight departing from a UK airport, whatever the airline.
- Flights arriving in the UK from abroad when a UK airline operates them.
- You arrived three or more hours late, your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice, or you were denied boarding.
- The cause was within the airline’s control — not a genuine extraordinary circumstance.
- The flight took place within the last six years (five in Scotland).
UK compensation amounts
Fixed in pounds by the assimilated regulation. The ticket price makes no difference.
- Up to 1,500 km£220e.g. London–Paris, Manchester–Dublin, Edinburgh–Amsterdam
- 1,500–3,500 km£350e.g. London–Athens, Bristol–Tenerife, Glasgow–Malaga
- Over 3,500 km£520e.g. London–New York, Manchester–Dubai, Birmingham–Delhi
Compensation is per passenger, not per booking — a family of four on a long-haul flight can claim £2,080.
UK 261 or EU 261?
Some journeys touching the UK are EU claims, and some fall under neither regime.
UK 261 applies
- London → Barcelona on any airline
- New York → London on a UK airline
- Manchester → Dubai on any airline
- Glasgow → Belfast on a domestic flight
UK 261 doesn’t apply
- Barcelona → London — EU 261 applies (EU departure)
- Frankfurt → New York — EU 261 applies
- New York → London on a US airline — neither applies
- Dubai → Bangkok — neither applies
Who does what in a UK claim
The airline pays. Everyone else either enforces the rules or settles disputes.
| Who | Role |
|---|---|
| Operating airline | Owes and pays the compensation, plus care while you wait |
| Civil Aviation Authority | Enforces the regulation — it does not pay passengers |
| Approved ADR scheme | Independent dispute resolution for airlines that belong to one |
| Courts | County Court (Money Claim Online) or Sheriff Court in Scotland, as a last resort |
How we claim under UK law
You file once. We deal with the airline, the ADR scheme and, if needed, the court.
- 01
Enter your flight
Flight number and date are enough to check eligibility.
- 02
We check the cause
We compare the airline’s explanation with weather, air traffic and fleet records.
- 03
We claim and escalate
Formal claim, ADR where available and court if the airline refuses.
- 04
You get paid
Compensation goes straight to your bank account. No win, no fee.
UK flight compensation FAQ
The statutory amounts and who they cover.
Which flights does UK law cover?
A flight that departs a UK airport is covered. A flight that arrives in the UK is covered when a UK airline operates it. A flight that both departs and arrives outside the UK is not a UK claim.
How much is UK261 compensation?
£220 for flights up to 1,500 km, £350 for flights from 1,500 km to 3,500 km, and £520 for flights over 3,500 km. The ticket price makes no difference.
Is UK261 the same as EU 261?
Almost. The UK kept the EU regulation after Brexit and converted the amounts to pounds. The rules on delays, cancellations, denied boarding and extraordinary circumstances work the same way.
Does the CAA pay the compensation?
No. The UK Civil Aviation Authority enforces the regulation. The operating airline pays the passenger. The CAA does not award the money.
How long do I have to claim?
Six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five years in Scotland — among the longest limitation periods in Europe.
What if the airline rejects my claim?
Many UK airlines belong to an approved ADR scheme, which reviews the case independently. If not, or if ADR fails, the claim can go to court. We handle both.
