Who Is Eligible for UK/EU Flight Compensation?

Do you need to be European to qualify for UK/EU flight compensation? Are infants and children covered as well?

If your flight meets the eligibility criteria, every affected passenger is entitled to flight cancellation, overbooking and flight delay compensation — regardless of nationality, age, ticket price, or travel insurance. Compensation applies when the disruption was caused by the airline. The flight must be operated by a European airline, or it must depart from a European airport if it is operated by a non-EU or non-UK airline. These are the only requirements.

Read on to learn more about your UK/EU air passenger rights.

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Who Is Eligible for UK/EU Flight Compensation?

Who is eligible for UK/EU flight compensation?

Every affected passenger – regardless of nationality, age, ticket price, or insurance – is entitled to flight compensation. Compensation applies when the disruption was caused by the airline. The flight must be operated by a European airline, or it must depart from a European airport if it is operated by a non-EU or non-UK airline. These are the only requirements.

1. Non-European Passengers

Can non-Europeans claim UK/EU flight compensation?

Yes. Citizenship does not affect your right to compensation. If your flight arrives at its destination three hours or more late, is cancelled at the last moment, or you’ve been denied boarding, you may be entitled to flight compensation, regardless of where you’re from. These rules apply equally to EU residents, non-EU citizens, and tourists.

Here’s the compensation types you may be entitled to.

• Virgin Atlantic flight delay compensation – if your flight arrives 3+ hours late
• Virgin Atlantic flight cancellation compensation – if your flight is cancelled at the last minute
• Virgin Atlantic denied boarding compensation – if you are denied boarding due to Virgin Atlantic flight overbooking
• Virgin Atlantic missed connection compensation – the same as flight delay compensation, but calculated for the whole journey. Your final destination is your last stop.

Compensation applies only when the disruption was caused by the airline. You are not entitled to compensation if the issue resulted from extraordinary circumstances (e.g., bad weather, air traffic control) or from your own actions or errors.

2. Infants and Children

Can children get UK/EU flight compensation?

Yes. Age makes no difference. Children and infants are covered under the same rules as adults. If your flight qualifies for compensation due to a delay, cancellation, or overbooking, your child is eligible as well — even if the infant was travelling without a reserved seat.

How much is flight compensation for babies and kids?

Both adults and children receive the same compensation amounts: €250, €400, or €600, depending on the flight distance.

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

Read more: Virgin Atlantic: Traveling With Children – Air Passenger Rights for Families

3. Travellers With Discounted or Cheap Tickets

Does a cheap ticket affect your right to compensation?

No. The price you paid for your ticket has no impact on your eligibility. Whether you booked a discounted fare, used reward points, or purchased a last-minute deal, your UK/EU flight compensation rights remain the same if the airline caused the disruption.

4. Passengers Flying With Low-Cost Airlines

Do budget airlines have to pay compensation?

Yes. Low-cost airlines are subject to the same passenger protection rules as full-service carriers. Your rights do not depend on the type of airline or the price of your ticket. If your flight is disrupted due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to compensation — even when flying with a budget carrier.

All airlines operating under UK/EU regulations must meet the same standards and provide equal compensation.

5. Passengers on Certain Non-European Airline Flights

Passengers are always protected on flights operated by UK or EU airlines, regardless of where the flight departs from or arrives.

In addition, protection also applies to non-European airlines when the flight departs from a European airport. If you are flying with a non-EU carrier and your flight leaves from Europe, you may still be entitled to compensation if the disruption was the airline’s responsibility.

These passenger rights cover many major international airlines, low-cost carriers, and also extend to charter airlines.

6. Passengers Without Travel Insurance

Can you claim EU/UK flight compensation without travel insurance?

Absolutely. Travel insurance is not required to receive compensation. UK/EU air passenger rights apply whether or not you have insurance. As long as the disruption was within the airline’s control, you may claim compensation for delays, cancellations, or denied boarding.

7. Passengers Who Accepted Re-Routing or Alternative Flights

Accepting a replacement flight or being rerouted by the airline does not cancel your right to flight cancellation compensation. If your original flight was cancelled and the airline offered an alternative that caused you to arrive late at your destination, you may still be entitled to compensation.

8. Passengers Who Accepted a Refund for a Cancelled Flight

Even if you accepted a refund for a cancelled flight, you may still be entitled to UK/EU flight compensation. A refund only covers the cost of your unused ticket and does not replace your right to compensation for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation.

As long as the cancellation was within the airline’s control and happened at the last minute, you can claim compensation in addition to receiving a refund.

9. Passengers Using Reward Miles or Loyalty Points

Flights booked using frequent-flyer miles, loyalty points, or airline vouchers are fully eligible for UK/EU flight compensation. Your right to compensation is not affected by how you paid for your ticket. Whether you redeemed points, used a voucher, or combined miles with cash, you are entitled to compensation.

How to Claim Flight Compensation?

You have two main ways to claim Virgin Atlantic flight delay compensation:

1. Claim flight delay compensation directly with Virgin Atlantic. Submit your request through the airline’s online claim form or contact customer service. Be sure to include your booking reference, flight details, delay information, and any supporting documents, such as confirmation emails or expense receipts.
2. Use a flight compensation company. You can also choose a compensation company to handle the claim for you. These services manage the entire process on your behalf, usually on a no win, no fee basis, saving you time and effort.

Read more: How to Claim Virgin Atlantic Compensation?

Do you have questions about who is eligible for UK/EU flight compensation? Or questions about your rights as a European air passenger? Feel free to ask in the comments.

Featured photo by William Lopez from Pexels