Airline Not Responding to My Flight Delay Claim?
Airlines sometimes simply don’t respond to compensation claims, hoping you’ll give up. Silence is not a rejection, and it doesn’t weaken your claim — if anything, an unexplained non-response makes escalation easier, because the airline has offered no defence at all. You have clear routes to force a response or go over the airline’s head.
This guide explains the timescales, how to chase effectively, and how to escalate. Confirm what you’re owed with the compensation calculator.
How Long Should the Airline Take?
Reasonable Timescales
There’s no single statutory deadline, but in practice:
- Most airlines aim to respond within 30 days
- Some take longer in peak periods, but should acknowledge receipt
- Prolonged silence with no acknowledgement is unreasonable
- Your underlying claim stays valid for 6 years (5 in Scotland)
How to Chase a Silent Airline
Build a Paper Trail
Make it easy to escalate later:
- Send a follow-up in writing, referencing your original claim date
- Set a clear deadline (e.g. 14 days) to respond
- State you’ll escalate to ADR or court if you don’t hear back
- Keep copies of every message and any read receipts
How to Escalate
Going Over the Airline’s Head
If the silence continues:
- Escalate to the CAA-approved ADR scheme for that airline
- Or issue a Small Claims Court claim — silence rarely plays well for the airline
- Or hand it to a no win no fee claims company
Common Questions About Non-Responding Airlines
The airline hasn’t replied in two months. Is my claim dead?
Not at all. A lack of response doesn’t cancel your claim — it stays valid for six years in England and Wales (five in Scotland). Silence simply means it’s time to escalate to an ADR scheme or court, where the airline’s failure to engage tends to count against it rather than you.
Should I keep emailing them?
Send one clear follow-up with a deadline, then escalate rather than continuing to chase indefinitely. Repeated unanswered emails waste time the airline is happy to run down. One documented follow-up establishes that you gave them a fair chance, which is all an ADR scheme or court needs to see.
Does an ADR scheme cost anything?
No — CAA-approved ADR schemes are free to passengers. The airline pays to be part of the scheme. It’s usually the most cost-effective way to deal with an airline that won’t respond, and the decision is binding on the airline if it’s a scheme member.
What if the airline isn’t in an ADR scheme?
Then the Small Claims Court is your route. Most UK airlines belong to a CAA-approved ADR scheme, but where one doesn’t, you can issue a claim through the courts. The fees are modest and usually recoverable if you win, and a non-responding airline rarely has a strong position to defend.
Related Guides
Escalating to the CAA & ADR Schemes
Flight Delay Compensation Calculator
Am I Eligible for Flight Delay Compensation?
Extraordinary Circumstances Explained
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.
