How Far Back Can I Claim Flight Delay Compensation?

One of the most common misconceptions about flight delay compensation is that you have to claim straight away. In fact the window is years long — you can claim for flights going back well beyond the last holiday season. But the limit is real, and there are good reasons not to leave it to the last minute.

This guide explains the time limits and what affects them. To check an old flight’s value, use the compensation calculator.

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The Time Limits

How Long You Have

The deadline depends on where you are in the UK:

England and Wales — 6 years from the flight date
Scotland — 5 years from the flight date
Northern Ireland — 6 years
These run from the date of the disrupted flight

Separate ADR Deadline

If you escalate, watch a second clock:

You must take a complaint to an ADR scheme within 12 months of the airline’s final response
The 6-year (5 in Scotland) limit still governs court action

Why Not to Wait

Evidence Fades

Even though you have years, sooner is stronger:

Airlines’ own records of the delay cause are easier to obtain when recent
Your boarding passes and booking emails are easier to find
Memory of arrival times and events is clearer
The claim is simpler before the deadline pressure builds

Common Questions About Time Limits

Can I really claim for a flight from five years ago?

Yes, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the limit is six years, so a five-year-old flight is still in time. In Scotland the limit is five years, so it may be right at the edge — act quickly. As long as you’re within the window, an old flight is just as valid as a recent one.

Does the clock start at the flight date or when I noticed I could claim?

It runs from the date of the disrupted flight, not from when you realised you had a claim. Not knowing about your rights doesn’t extend the deadline, which is another reason to check old flights sooner rather than later.

I claimed and the airline rejected me a year ago. Is it too late?

Probably not for court action — the 6-year (5 in Scotland) limit runs from the flight date, not the rejection. But if you want to use an ADR scheme, you generally must do so within 12 months of the airline’s final response, so that route may have closed even though the court route hasn’t.

What about flights before Brexit?

They’re still claimable if within the time limit — pre-Brexit flights were covered by EU261, which applied in the UK at the time. The Lipton case itself concerned a 2018 flight. The regime that applied on the flight date is the one your claim is judged under.

UK261 vs EU261

Escalating to the CAA & ADR Schemes

Flight Delay Compensation Calculator

Am I Eligible for Flight Delay Compensation?

Extraordinary Circumstances Explained

Airline Rejected My Claim

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.

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