Am I Eligible for Flight Delay Compensation? — UK261
Most passengers who are eligible for flight delay compensation never claim it — often because they assume they don’t qualify. UK261 is broader than people expect, but it has clear conditions: how late you arrived, where the flight was going, who operated it, and why it was delayed. This guide lets you check all four in a couple of minutes.
Run through the conditions below, then confirm the amount with our compensation calculator.
The Four Eligibility Tests
1. How Late Did You Arrive? — Compensation is judged on arrival, not departure:
- You must arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours late
- Arrival is when the doors open — see arrival vs departure time
- A late take-off that the crew make up in the air may not qualify
2. Was the Flight Covered? — UK261 (or EU261) must apply to your route:
- Departing any UK airport — covered, regardless of airline
- Arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline — covered
- The difference between the two schemes is explained in our UK261 vs EU261 guide
3. Whose Fault Was It? — The delay must be within the airline’s control:
- Technical faults and crew sickness — usually claimable
- Extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, ATC strikes) — not claimable
4. Is It Within the Time Limit? — There’s a long window, but it does run out:
- 6 years in England and Wales, 5 in Scotland — details here
What Else You Can Claim
Beyond the Headline Compensation
Eligibility isn’t only about the fixed sum:
- Cancellations within 14 days of departure — see cancelled flight
- Denied boarding from overbooking
- A missed connection caused by a delayed first leg
- Your right to care (food, drink, hotel) during long delays, regardless of cause
Common Questions About Eligibility
My flight was delayed three hours but I still made my connection on time. Can I claim?
Eligibility depends on your arrival at your final destination, not on any single leg. If the initial delay didn’t make you 3+ hours late reaching where you were ultimately going, there’s no compensation — even if one leg was badly delayed. If you did arrive 3+ hours late overall, you can claim.
Does it matter if I booked through a third-party website?
No. Eligibility and the claim attach to the operating airline, not whoever sold you the ticket. Book through an agent or comparison site and you still claim against the carrier that ran the flight.
I was delayed on a flight between two non-UK countries. Am I covered?
Usually only if it departed the UK or was operated by a UK/EU airline into the UK or EU. A flight wholly outside the UK and EU — say New York to Los Angeles — generally falls outside UK261 and EU261, though other countries’ rules may apply.
I’m not sure why my flight was delayed. Can I still find out if I’m eligible?
Yes — submit the claim and ask the airline to state the cause. The burden is on the airline to justify any refusal, so making the claim is how you find out. If it cites extraordinary circumstances, ask for evidence; many such reasons don’t hold up.
Related Guides
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.
