In short (UK): If you arrive 3+ hours late on a covered flight and the delay is the airline’s fault, you may be owed fixed compensation (commonly £220 / £350 / £520 by distance) under retained EU261 / UK passenger rules — separate from a refund of the ticket. Keep documents, note actual arrival time, claim in writing. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Many passengers never claim, or give up after a chat rejection. This guide covers the core rules — not a full claim pack. For a personalised plan and letter from your booking details, use Refundly. For official passenger guidance see the CAA.
When Compensation Often Applies
Usually you need:
- 3+ hours late on arrival
- Flight within the UK/EU261 coverage pattern (UK/EU departure or UK/EU operating carrier in many cases)
- Delay not excused as extraordinary circumstances
Fixed bands (common framing):
- £220 — shorter distances
- £350 — medium
- £520 — longer
What to Do Next (High Level)
- Keep booking confirmation and boarding documents.
- Note actual arrival time (what matters for the 3-hour test).
- Claim in writing with flight number, date, and delay.
- Keep the airline’s response.
- Escalate if rejected without a solid extraordinary-circumstances basis.
Plain-English rights inside Refundly — then a plan tailored to your flight
Common Mistakes
Phone-only complaints with no record; accepting a voucher when cash is due; waiting many months without a paper trail.
Refundly sequences next steps and deadlines for your claim
What Your Claim Should Cover
Checklist: passenger names; booking ref; route and flight number; scheduled vs actual arrival; that you want statutory compensation (and care costs if relevant); deadline for response.
A structured written claim is harder to bury than a web form alone
Using Refundly
- Select travel → flight delay
- See what you may be entitled to
- Start a claim with a personalised plan
- Use a letter built from your details
- Track and export if you escalate
Final Tip
Start soon while records are fresh. Airlines are more organised than passengers who wait a year.
General information for UK consumers only — not legal advice. See CAA delay and cancellation guidance.
Common questions
Short answers to common questions on this topic.
- When can I claim flight delay compensation in the UK?
- Often when you arrive 3+ hours late, the flight is covered by UK/EU261-style rules (UK/EU departure or UK/EU carrier in many cases), and the delay was the airline’s responsibility — not extraordinary circumstances such as certain weather events.
- How much compensation can I get?
- Fixed bands commonly used are £220, £350 or £520 depending on distance. Amounts are set by the rules and do not depend on what you paid for the ticket.
- Does a voucher count as compensation?
- You can accept a voucher if you want one, but cash compensation is what the rules provide in many valid cases. Do not feel obliged to take a voucher instead.
- What evidence do I need?
- Booking confirmation, boarding pass if you have it, and proof of actual arrival time. Note when you were told about the delay. Claim in writing and keep copies.
- What if the airline rejects my claim?
- Ask for reasons in writing, check whether extraordinary circumstances truly apply, then consider ADR or other escalation. Refundly helps structure the claim and next steps for your booking.