Air India Flight Delay Compensation — Claim up to £520
Air India is India’s national carrier, outside the UK and EU, so UK261 protects you only on flights departing from a UK airport — not on flights arriving into the UK from India. The leg you were delayed on decides your claim.
This guide explains when a delayed or cancelled Air India flight qualifies under UK261, how much you can claim, how to claim, and what to do if Air India rejects you. To check your likely payout first, use our flight delay compensation calculator.
How Much You Can Claim
Compensation by Distance
Amounts are fixed by flight distance, per passenger, regardless of ticket price:
- £220 — short-haul, up to 1,500 km
- £350 — medium-haul, 1,500 to 3,500 km
- £520 — long-haul, over 3,500 km
- Paid in cash — a budget fare and a premium fare receive the same amount
The Three-Hour Rule
Eligibility turns on your arrival, not your departure:
- You must arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours late
- Arrival is measured when the aircraft doors open
- A late take-off that makes up time in the air may not qualify
- The delay must be within the airline’s control — not extraordinary circumstances
When Air India Flights Are Covered
Your Coverage
Because Air India is based outside the UK and EU, coverage is one-directional:
- Departing a UK airport on Air India (e.g. London to Delhi) — covered
- Arriving into the UK from India on Air India — NOT covered (non-EU carrier inbound)
- Connecting via an Indian hub: a delayed UK departure causing a 3+ hour late final arrival can be claimable
What This Means in Practice
Air India flies long-haul routes between the UK and India, often onward across Asia — on a UK-originating journey, your final-destination arrival time, not the time you reach an Indian hub, governs the claim.
If you were delayed on the inbound leg into the UK only, UK261 won’t help — but a UK-originating journey is judged on your arrival at the final destination. See our missed connection guide for how connecting flights are treated.
How to Claim Against Air India
Before You Claim
Gather your evidence first:
- Booking reference and ticket
- Boarding passes for each leg
- The actual arrival time at your final destination
- Any delay notification or reason the airline gave
The Steps
The process is the same for most airlines:
- Submit a claim to Air India stating the flight, delay length and amount owed
- The airline should respond, typically within 30 days
- If it rejects or ignores you, escalate to an ADR scheme or court
- Prefer to hand it over? A no win no fee claim takes a cut but does the work
If Air India Rejects Your Claim
Common Reasons Airlines Give
Watch for these — several are challengeable:
- Extraordinary circumstances — often over-used, ask for proof
- A technical fault — usually NOT extraordinary, normally claimable
- Crew sickness — NOT extraordinary since Lipton v BA Cityflyer
- “Operational reasons” — too vague; demand the specific cause
Your Right to Care Still Applies
Even if compensation is genuinely refused:
- The airline must provide food, drink and communication during long delays
- And hotel plus transport if you’re delayed overnight
- Keep receipts if you had to pay for these yourself
Common Questions About Air India Claims
How far back can I claim?
You can claim for eligible Air India flights from the last six years in England and Wales, or five years in Scotland. It’s worth acting sooner rather than later while evidence is fresh. See our how far back can I claim guide.
My flight was only delayed at departure but arrived on time. Can I claim?
No. Compensation depends entirely on your arrival time at the final destination, measured when the aircraft doors open. A late departure the crew make up in the air, leaving you under three hours late on arrival, doesn’t qualify — however frustrating the wait at the gate.
Does it matter what I paid for my ticket?
Not at all. The compensation amounts are fixed by distance and identical for every passenger on the flight. Someone on a discounted fare receives exactly the same as someone in a premium cabin — the figure reflects the disruption, not the price of the ticket.
My Air India flight INTO the UK was delayed. Am I covered?
Generally not under UK261. Because Air India is a non-UK, non-EU airline, UK261 only covers its flights departing from a UK airport — not flights arriving into the UK from its home country. The exception is a connecting journey that began with a UK departure: there, your delay is measured at your final destination, so the inbound leg can still form part of a valid claim.
Should I use a claims company?
You can claim directly and for free, and for a straightforward delay that’s often the best route — you keep all the compensation. A claims company takes a percentage but handles the paperwork and any dispute, which can be worth it if the airline pushes back hard. Our do I need a claims company guide weighs it up.
Related Guides
Flight Delay Compensation Calculator
Am I Eligible for Flight Delay Compensation?
Extraordinary Circumstances Explained
Missed Connection Compensation
How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation
Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Delayed Flight
If your flight was delayed by 3 hours or more, you may be entitled to compensation. Start a free flight delay claim check in minutes — no upfront cost. No win, no fee if your claim is accepted.
