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Flight Delayed Over 3 Hours? Your Rights and Exactly What to Do

If your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours, you may be entitled to compensation. Here’s a clear guide to your UK rights and the steps to take.

If your flight was delayed by more than three hours, you might be entitled to compensation under UK and EU rules. Many people don’t realise this, or they give up because the process feels complicated.

This guide explains your rights in plain English and shows you exactly what to do next.

When Are You Entitled to Compensation?

You can usually claim compensation if:

  • Your flight was delayed by 3 hours or more on arrival
  • The flight departed from a UK or EU airport (or was operated by a UK/EU airline)
  • The delay was the airline’s fault (not weather, strikes by third parties, or extraordinary circumstances)

Compensation amounts are fixed:

  • £220 for flights under 1,500km
  • £350 for flights between 1,500–3,500km
  • £520 for flights over 3,500km

These amounts are set by law and do not change based on how much you paid for the ticket.

What You Should Do First

  1. Keep all your documents (boarding pass, booking confirmation, delay notification).
  2. Note the actual arrival time (this is what matters, not the departure delay).
  3. Contact the airline in writing as soon as possible.

Refundly rights screen - part 1

Refundly rights screen - part 2

Screenshots from the Refundly app showing the clear explanation of your rights and what you may be entitled to

How to Claim Successfully

Most people make one of two mistakes:

  • They only complain by phone or chat (hard to prove later)
  • They accept a voucher when they are entitled to cash

The strongest approach is to send a formal written claim and keep a clear record of everything.

This is where having a step-by-step plan and the right template makes a big difference.

Screenshot of claim timeline Refundly shows you the exact next steps and deadlines for your claim

Using Refundly to Make This Easier

If you want a simple way to handle the process, Refundly guides you through it:

  1. Select “Travel & Transport” → “Flight Delay”
  2. See your rights and what you’re entitled to
  3. Start a claim and get a personalised step-by-step plan
  4. Use the ready-made letter template
  5. Track everything in one place and export a PDF if you need to escalate

Screenshot of letter template Pre-filled professional letter template ready to send

Final Tip

Don’t leave it too long. Airlines often reject claims that are sent many months later. The sooner you start the process properly, the better your chances.

If your flight was delayed over 3 hours, you have rights — and they’re stronger than most people realise.