Diverted Flight Compensation — Can You Claim?
A diversion — landing somewhere other than your scheduled destination — can give rise to two things: compensation for arriving late at your real destination, and the airline’s duty to get you there. Whether you can claim turns on the same questions as any delay: how late you ultimately arrived, and whether the cause was within the airline’s control.
This guide explains when a diversion is claimable and what the airline owes you. Check your amount with the compensation calculator.
When a Diversion Is Claimable
Judged on Final Arrival
As with any delay, your real destination is what counts:
- You’re assessed on arrival at your scheduled final destination — see arrival vs departure time
- If the diversion makes you 3+ hours late getting there, you may be owed compensation
- The cause must be within the airline’s control — not extraordinary circumstances
- A diversion for a technical fault is usually claimable; one for severe weather usually isn’t
Getting to Your Real Destination
The Airline’s Duty
A diversion doesn’t end the airline’s obligations:
- The airline must get you on to your original destination
- That includes onward transport — coach, train or another flight — at no cost to you
- Plus care during the wait — meals and accommodation if overnight
- Keep receipts if you arrange reasonable onward travel yourself
Common Questions About Diversions
We landed at a different airport and I made my own way home. Can I claim that cost?
Usually yes, if it was reasonable. The airline’s duty is to get you to your original destination, including onward transport. If it failed to arrange this and you took a reasonable train, coach or taxi to complete the journey, keep the receipts and reclaim the cost — on top of any compensation for arriving late.
The diversion was due to fog at my destination. Am I owed compensation?
Probably not the cash compensation, if the fog was genuinely severe enough to make landing unsafe — that’s an extraordinary circumstance. But the airline still had to get you to your real destination and care for you in the meantime. So you may have no compensation claim but still a valid claim for onward transport and care costs.
How is my delay measured if I was diverted?
By when you finally reached your scheduled destination, not when you landed at the diversion airport. If the diversion plus onward travel left you 3+ hours late at the place you were actually going, that’s your qualifying delay — assuming the cause was within the airline’s control.
The airline left me at the diversion airport with no help. What are my rights?
That’s a failure of its duties. The airline must provide care — meals, communication, and accommodation if overnight — and arrange onward travel to your destination. If it abandoned you, document everything, arrange reasonable travel and accommodation yourself, keep the receipts, and claim them back alongside any compensation for the late arrival.
Related Guides
Delayed Overnight — Hotel & Care Rights
Bad Weather Flight Delay Compensation
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.
