Flight delay compensation - How does it work?
Only a small percentage of air passengers know they are entitled to compensation for flights delayed by 3 hours or more. Under British and EU law, you could claim up to £520 in flight delay compensation!
All airlines, All countries, No win No fees
Did you have a delayed flight in the last 3 years?
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Delayed Flight Claim: When Can You Claim Compensation?
Under EC 261, you may be eligible to claim up to €600 in flight delay compensation if:
- You arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late
- Your flight departed from the EU (or arrived in the EU in some cases)
- You checked in on time for your flight
- The delay occurred within the past 3 years
- The disruption wasn't due to extraordinary circumstances
Alexander Hawley
Air passenger rights expert
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Flight Delay?
If your flight is covered by UK and EU regulations and was delayed by more than 3 hours, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The amount you can claim depends on the flight distance.
Up to 1,500 km
Up to £220
E.g., London - Paris, Madrid - Barcelona
1,500 km to 3,500 km
Up to £350
E.g., London - Istanbul, Paris - Athens
Over 3,500 km
Up to £520
E.g., London - New York, Paris - Dubai
How Flight Delay Compensation Is Calculated in the EU?
Flight delays are measured by the time you arrive at your final destination — not the time you take off. Airlines can sometimes make up for lost time during the flight, so the exact arrival time matters.
But what exactly counts as a flight's "arrival time"? In September 2014, the European Court of Justice (case C-452/13) ruled that "arrival time" is the moment when the aircraft has reached its parking position and at least one door has been opened, allowing passengers to disembark.
Since the actual arrival time can differ by 15 minutes or more from the landing time, being accurate is crucial when filing a delayed flight compensation claim.
Are All Delayed Flights Covered by EC 261?
Almost all flights within Europe are covered by EC 261 — and not just those within EU borders. The regulation also applies to flights in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the EU's outermost regions (like French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Saint-Martin, Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands).
A common myth is that EC 261 only covers flights within Europe. In reality:
- If your flight departs from an airport in the EU, it's covered.
- Flights departing from outside the EU are also covered if operated by an EU-based airline.
Airlines Are Not Required to Pay Compensation for Extraordinary Circumstances
Under EC 261, airlines are not obligated to pay flight delay compensation if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
What qualifies as extraordinary circumstances?
These are events beyond the airline's control, such as severe weather conditions, lightning strikes, medical emergencies, strikes by airport staff, air traffic control restrictions, political unrest, or acts of terrorism.
Do Airline Strikes Count as Extraordinary Circumstances?
According to a ruling by the European Court of Justice in March 2021, strikes by airline staff are not considered extraordinary circumstances. This means you may still be entitled to flight delay compensation if your disruption was caused by an airline strike.
Flight Delay Compensation for Missed Connections
Under EC 261, missing a connecting flight is treated like a delay. If you reach your final destination more than 3 hours late, you could be eligible to claim up to £520 in compensation.
How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation with Refundmyflight.co.uk
With over 10 years of experience, a 98% success rate in court, and dedicated legal teams across 9 countries, Refundmyflight.co.uk is your best choice for claiming compensation for a delayed flight.
Our process is simple and fully mobile-friendly — submit your claim through our free Claim Calculator and upload your documents directly to your secure online account, all from your phone if you wish!
Once your delayed flight compensation claim is submitted, our team handles everything: paperwork, negotiations with the airline, and even court proceedings if necessary. We operate on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you only pay once the airline issues your compensation.
Check out our Price List page for full details, or start your claim now!