FAQs
Contact your airline directly
If you believe you have the right to claim compensation or reimbursem*nt, you should contact your airline or airport directly. Compensation is not automatic, and you will need to contact your airline to make a claim.
What to do if an airline won't pay compensation? ›
If the ADR body or CAA cannot help with your claim, or you wish to pursue a different course of action, you could take your airline to court.
How much compensation am I entitled to for a delayed flight? ›
Flight Delays Compensation UK – How Much are You Owed when your Flight is Delayed
| Less than 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours |
|---|
| ❌ £ – | ✔️ £220 | ✔️ £220 |
| ❌ £ – | ✔️ £350 | ✔️ £350 |
| ❌ £ – | ✔️ £350 | ✔️ £350 |
| ❌ £ – | ✔️ £260 | ✔️ £520 |
If an airline cancels your flight less than 14 days before departure and you choose to cancel your trip entirely, you're entitled to a refund of both your plane ticket and any pre-paid baggage fees (in most cases). This typically applies even if you have non-refundable tickets.
How much compensation for denied boarding? ›
The amount of the denied boarding flight compensation ranges between 250 and 600 euro and depends on the distance between your original point of departure and your final destination.
What is the chance that I will be denied boarding? ›
It's legal for airlines to overbook flights and the practice is more common than you might think. In fact, in the US, which provides the best statistics on the subject, the chance of a passenger being denied boarding because of overbooking is 1 in 1,000.
How do I argue with an airline for compensation? ›
When you first contact your airline, aim to set out your case clearly and concisely. Explain what happened and when, and why you feel you are entitled to receive a payment. Send your claim to the airline's customer relations department. You can escalate your complaint if you don't get the result you hoped for.
Do airlines have to prove extraordinary circ*mstances? ›
In theory, no. However, sometimes, airlines claim that extraordinary circ*mstances occurred when they did not! They do so to avoid paying out flight compensation to passengers. When an airline says that extraordinary circ*mstances caused the flight disruption, they have to prove it.
Can you sue an airline for not refunding your money? ›
Suing an Airline for a Refund in Small Claims Court
Many of our clients have dealt with airlines that refuse to honor their refund policies or the DOT's guidelines on refunds by suing for a refund in small claims court.
How much compensation for a 3 hour flight delay? ›
UK Regulation 261 Compensation Amounts in UK Pounds
| Flight Distance | Less than 3 hours | 3 hours or more |
|---|
| All flights 1,500km or less | £0 | £220 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500km | £0 | £350 |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500km and 3,500km | £0 | £350 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500km | £0 | £260 |
Apr 18, 2024
The best time to make a claim for flight compensation
We currently take on claims with a month left to run before the six year expiration. This gives us enough time to write to the airline, gives them the opportunity to respond and still leaves us enough time to issue proceedings if necessary.
Can I claim compensation for a 2 hour flight delay? ›
The only exception is if the flight was canceled less than one week before departure. If you now look for an alternative at short notice, and this is why you arrive more than two hours late at your destination, you can make a claim for compensation. So if your flight is delayed by 2 hours, there is no compensation.
What are the rules for flight delay? ›
Passenger Rights During Delays:
If the delay is less than a day, the airline must provide meals and refreshments at the airport. If the delay extends beyond a day, the airline must arrange hotel accommodation and transfers for the passengers.
What is considered a controllable delay? ›
A controllable flight cancellation or delay is essentially a delay or cancellation caused by the airline. Examples include: maintenance or crew problems; cabin cleaning; baggage loading; and fueling.
Do airlines compensate for missed connections? ›
A missed connecting flight and waiting at the airport can be particularly annoying, but also could quickly become a financial matter. You should know that in case you do miss your connection, you still have passenger rights, and you are entitled to compensation for your costs.
How do I know if I am entitled to flight compensation? ›
You're legally entitled to get compensation if the cancellation is the airline's responsibility and both the following apply:
- the replacement flight delays your arrival by 2 or more hours.
- your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
Request compensation for your boarding denial.
Provided you're eligible, the airline should pay you immediately once you've been denied boarding for your flight. That's in addition to offering you the re-routing or refund mentioned above.
What qualifies as involuntary denied boarding? ›
Sometimes, when an airline asks for volunteers to give up their seats and fly on a different flight, there are not enough volunteers. When this occurs, the airline will select passengers to give up their seats. This is called “involuntary denied boarding” or “bumping.”
Who is responsible for denied boarding compensation? ›
(a) Every carrier shall furnish passengers who are denied boarding involuntarily from flights on which they hold confirmed reserved space immediately after the denied boarding occurs, a written statement explaining the terms, conditions, and limitations of denied boarding compensation, and describing the carriers' ...
