How to Claim Compensation for a Delayed or Cancelled Flight
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How to Claim Compensation for a Delayed or Cancelled Flight
Passenger-rights rules like UK261 and EU261 give real, specific compensation entitlements for delays and cancellations on covered flights — but the reason for the disruption and where your flight is covered both affect what you're actually owed.
1. Check if your flight is covered
Rules like UK261/EU261 generally apply to flights departing the UK or EU, or arriving there on a UK/EU airline — check which applies to your specific route.
2. Check the reason for the delay or cancellation
"Extraordinary circumstances" like severe weather or air traffic control action are usually exempt from cash compensation, though the airline still owes you care (meals, accommodation) during the delay.
3. Submit a claim directly to the airline first
Use the airline's official claim form with your booking reference and flight details — this is the standard first step before any escalation.
4. Keep all documentation
Boarding passes, booking confirmation, and any airline communication about the delay or cancellation all support your claim.
5. Escalate if refused
If the airline denies a claim you believe is valid, escalate to the relevant national aviation regulator or an approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme.
Quick tips
- You don't need to use a "claim for a cut" company — you can submit the same claim directly to the airline yourself for free.
- Compensation amounts under rules like EU261 are typically banded by flight distance and length of delay, not a single flat figure.
- A delay caused by a previous rotation's technical issue is often not considered "extraordinary," unlike weather or air traffic control restrictions.
- Even when compensation isn't owed (extraordinary circumstances), the airline typically still owes duty-of-care support like meals or accommodation for a long delay.
- Claims usually have a time limit — don't leave submitting one for too long after the flight.
- Keep a note of the actual delay length and reason given by the airline at the time, which can differ from what's stated later.