Yes — passengers may be entitled to UK flight compensation for UK flights under UK Regulation 261. This regulation protects air passengers traveling to and from the UK, covering disruptions such as long delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. Introduced after Brexit, UK261 closely mirrors the European Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and offers similar passenger protections.
If your flight meets the eligibility criteria, you can submit a UK flight compensation claim under this regulation for qualifying flight disruptions.
Check your compensation online.
Know Your Rights: Regulation UK261 Explained
Following Brexit, the UK introduced its own passenger rights law known as The Air Passengers’ Rights (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. This regulation closely mirrors EU Regulation 261/2004 and provides the same core protections for passengers affected by flight disruptions on UK routes, including UK flight compensation.
For simplicity, this law is commonly referred to as UK261.
The main difference between UK261 and EU261 is the currency used for compensation. While EU261 compensation is paid in euros, compensation under UK261 is paid in Pounds Sterling. Aside from this, the eligibility rules and passenger rights remain largely the same.
UK Flight Compensation Rules
Yes — you can claim compensation for UK flights under UK261, which applies to flights departing from the UK and, in some cases, flights arriving in the UK depending on the airline operating the flight.
If you’re filing a claim yourself, it’s important to determine which regulation applies. In some situations, both EU261 and UK261 may offer protection, while in others only one will apply. This distinction matters when submitting a claim directly to an airline. If you use a flight compensation service, this assessment is handled on your behalf – more info on this below.
UK flight compensation rules are the same as the EU compensation rules.
You can get compensation in the following situations:
- Flight delays of 3 hours or more at the final destination
- Flight cancellations announced less than 14 days before departure
- Involuntary denied boarding due to overbooking
In all cases, compensation is only owed if the disruption was caused by factors within the airline’s control, such as airline crew strikes, technical issues, or staffing shortages. Compensation is not owed when a disruption is due to extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather, pandemics or air traffic control issues.
How Much Is UK Flight Compensation?
UK flight compensation is paid in Pounds Sterling, rather than Euros.
The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance, just as it does under EU flight compensation rules.
- £220 (€250) – if the distance of your flight is up to 1,500 kilometres.
- £350 (€400) – distance is between 1,500 – 3,500 kilometres.
- £520 (€600) – distance is more than 3,500 kilometres.
How to Claim Compensation for UK Flights?
You have two main options for claiming UK flight compensation: filing a claim directly with the airline or using a flight compensation company.
If you choose to claim on your own, start by gathering all relevant documents, such as your booking confirmation, boarding pass, flight details, and any proof of the delay or cancellation. Submit your claim through the airline’s online form or contact their customer service by email or phone. If the airline rejects your claim or you’re not satisfied with the response, you can escalate the case to the appropriate National Enforcement Body.
When filing a claim yourself, it’s important to confirm whether the flight was operated by a UK airline, as this determines whether UK261 or EU261 applies.
Alternatively, you can use a flight compensation company to handle the entire process on your behalf. These services manage the claim from start to finish and can be used either after an airline rejection or from the outset.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Check your compensation online.
Right to Care and Assistance on UK Flights
Passengers flying with a UK or EU airline are entitled to the right to care on any flight, regardless of where the flight departs from or arrives.
If you’re flying with a non-European airline (such as Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, or American Airlines), the right to care applies when your flight departs from a European airport.
When you are forced to wait 3 hours or more due to a flight delay, cancellation, or involuntary denied boarding, the airline must provide assistance under both EU and UK air passenger rights regulations. This includes free meals and refreshments and two free communications, such as phone calls or emails. In practice, this is often provided in the form of meal vouchers that can be used at airport cafés, shops, or restaurants.
If the disruption requires an overnight stay, the airline must also arrange and pay for hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and the hotel. In these situations, the airline is legally required to take care of you until your journey continues.
Read more: Can You Book Your Own Hotel and Claim It Back Under the Right to Care?
Compensation for UK Flights: EU261 or UK261 — Which Applies?
When claiming compensation for UK flights on your own, it’s important to determine which regulation applies — EU261 or UK261 — based on the airline operating the flight. In some situations, both regulations may offer protection, while in others only one will apply. Identifying the correct regulation is essential when submitting a claim directly to the airline.
If you choose to work with a flight compensation company, you don’t need to worry about this distinction. They will assess your flight and handle the regulatory requirements on your behalf.
You’re Flying With a UK Airline (for Example, Virgin Atlantic)
- EU – EU (UK261 & EU261)
- EU – UK (UK261 & EU261)
- EU – Third country (UK261 & EU261)
- UK – EU (only UK261)
- UK – UK (only UK261)
- UK – Third country (only UK261)
- Third country – EU (only UK261)
- Third country – UK (only UK261)
You’re Flying With an EU Airline (KLM, Air France, Finnair, LOT, etc.)
- EU – EU (only EU261)
- EU – UK (UK261 & EU261)
- EU – Third country (only EU261)
- UK – EU (UK261 & EU261)
- UK – UK (only UK261)
- UK – Third country (only UK261)
- Third country – EU (only EU261 law)
- Third country – UK (only UK261 law)
You’re Flying With a Non-EU, Non-UK Airline (Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Delta, etc.)
- EU – EU (only EU261),
- EU – UK (only EU261),
- EU – Third country (only EU261),
- UK – EU (only UK261),
- UK – UK (only UK261),
- UK – Third country (only Regulation UK261).
Read more: How to Claim Virgin Atlantic Compensation?
Do you have more questions about UK flight compensation and your rights when flying with UK airlines? Ask in the comments.
Featured photo by Rodion Kutsaiev from Pexels