Flight Delay Compensation UK261 / EC261 — 2026 Guide

Flight compensation under UK261 is one of the most successful consumer rights regimes in law. Airlines pay out billions — but they rarely pay voluntarily. Drafted properly, a letter of claim produces payment in 30–60 days.

What triggers compensation

• Cancellation — flight cancelled within 14 days of departure without adequate rerouting
• Long delay — 3+ hours at arrival, where airline fault
• Denied boarding — overbooking or involuntary offload

Compensation amounts

• Under 1,500 km — £220
• 1,500–3,500 km (intra-EU over 1,500km) — £350
• Over 3,500 km — £520

50% reduction where rerouting got passenger to destination within 2/3/4 hours of original arrival.

Plus rights (cumulative, not alternative)

• Right to care (meals, accommodation if overnight)
• Right to reimbursement or rerouting (traveller’s choice)
• Compensation (above)
• Damages for consequential loss under Montreal Convention (where applicable)

What is NOT extraordinary (airline fault)

• Technical issues with the aircraft
• Airline crew unavailability
• Airline IT failures
• Unusual but foreseeable maintenance

What IS extraordinary (no compensation — but care still due)

• Severe weather (genuinely severe)
• ATC decisions imposed on the airline
• Political instability affecting the route
• Security risks
• Airport strikes (not airline crew strikes)

Structure — the Litigant Standard

1. Flight details

Flight number, date, route, scheduled and actual times, booking reference.

2. The delay/cancellation

Facts with evidence — boarding passes, delay confirmation email, screenshots.

3. Legal basis

“Compensation claimed under Article 7 Regulation (EC) 261/2004 (retained as UK261). Delay of [X] hours at arrival meets threshold under Sturgeon / Nelson. The delay was not extraordinary because [reason — ordinarily airline fault].”

4. Remedy

“Compensation of £[amount] plus any consequential losses (quantified). Payment within 30 days, failing which CAA complaint and MCOL claim will follow.”

The airlines’ playbook and how Chris defeats it

• “Extraordinary circumstances” — airline must prove it. Chris requests the technical log, ATC notice, or evidence.
• Offering vouchers — not a valid discharge unless you accept. Reject and demand cash.
• “Third-party carrier” — operating carrier is liable regardless of who sold ticket.
• Time-limit excuses — 6 years under Limitation Act applies in most cases.

Escalation

• CAA complaint (or alternative dispute resolution provider for airline)
• Money Claim Online — small claims track
• Enforcement through County Court Bailiff

Can Chris draft the flight compensation claim?

Yes. Upload booking, delay confirmation, correspondence. Chris drafts the claim letter with UK261/EC261 citations, Sturgeon/Nelson references, extraordinary circumstances rebuttal framework, and escalation timeline. Claims companies take 25%+ of what they recover for identical drafting.

Prepare to win. Plan not to fail.

The law is settled. The amounts are fixed. The only variable is who drafts.

More flight & travel claims

Flight delay compensation · claim it yourself · cancelled flight refund rights · lost or delayed luggage

Frequently asked questions

What triggers flight compensation under UK261?

Three situations: a cancellation made within 14 days of departure without adequate rerouting; a long delay of 3 or more hours at arrival where the airline is at fault; and denied boarding through overbooking or involuntary offload.

How much compensation can I claim?

The amounts are fixed by distance — for shorter flights, mid-range flights and longer flights, with the figures set out in the guide above. A 50% reduction can apply where rerouting still got you to your destination within the stated hours of your original arrival. Check the current figure for your situation.

What counts as “extraordinary circumstances” so no compensation is due?

Genuinely severe weather, ATC decisions imposed on the airline, political instability on the route, security risks, and airport strikes (not the airline’s own crew strikes). Importantly, technical aircraft issues, crew unavailability, airline IT failures and foreseeable maintenance are ordinarily airline fault — not extraordinary. The airline must prove any extraordinary defence, and your right to care still applies.

Do I have other rights beyond the compensation payment?

Yes — they are cumulative, not alternatives: the right to care (meals, and accommodation if overnight), the right to reimbursement or rerouting at your choice, the compensation itself, and damages for consequential loss under the Montreal Convention where applicable.

Can the airline escape liability because another carrier sold the ticket, or because time has passed?

The operating carrier is liable regardless of who sold the ticket, and a limitation period of six years applies in most cases under the Limitation Act — so “third-party carrier” and time-limit excuses rarely hold. Vouchers are not a valid discharge unless you accept them; you can reject and demand cash.

What happens if the airline still won’t pay?

The guide sets out an escalation route: a CAA complaint or the airline’s alternative dispute resolution provider, then Money Claim Online on the small claims track, and enforcement through the County Court if needed. Related guides: Package Holiday Refund & Compensation · Subscription Cancellation & Auto-Renewal Trap · All civil court forms