FlightClaimGuide

UK261 Compensation Guide (2026)

Learn your rights under UK261 and find out when airlines must pay compensation for delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights.

Updated June 20268 minute read
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Table of Contents

What Is UK261?

UK261 is the United Kingdom's retained version of EU Regulation 261/2004. When the UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020, it retained the core provisions of EU261 in domestic law, ensuring that air passengers departing from UK airports continued to enjoy the same protections.

The regulation protects passengers on flights departing from UK airports, as well as passengers arriving in the UK on UK-based carriers. It covers delays, cancellations, and denied boarding — the same scenarios as EU261. Passengers can claim up to £520 compensation under UK261.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for enforcing UK261, and passengers can escalate disputes to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) bodies such as CEDR or Aviation ADR, depending on the airline.

UK261 vs EU261

After Brexit, the UK retained EU261 as UK261 with only minor modifications. For most passengers, the rules are very similar. The main differences are jurisdiction and compensation currency.

ItemUK261EU261
RegionUnited KingdomEuropean Union
Maximum Compensation£520€600
Departure CoverageUK AirportsEU Airports
Governing AuthorityUK CAANational EU Authorities
Delay Threshold3+ hours3+ hours
Cancellation Notice14 days14 days
ADR BodiesCEDR, Aviation ADRVaries by country

For most passengers, the rules are very similar. The main differences are jurisdiction and compensation currency. If your flight departs from a UK airport, UK261 applies. If it departs from an EU airport, EU261 applies.

Who Is Covered By UK261?

UK261 applies to flights departing from UK airports on any airline, and to flights arriving at UK airports on UK-based carriers. Your nationality and ticket type do not matter.

ScenarioCovered?
London → Paris (any airline)✅
Manchester → New York (any airline)✅
New York → London (British Airways)✅
New York → London (Delta)❌
Tokyo → Paris (any airline)❌

UK261 Compensation Amounts

UK261 sets fixed compensation amounts in pounds sterling. Like EU261, the amount depends on the flight distance and the length of the delay at your final destination.

DistanceDelayCompensation
Under 1,500 km3+ hours£220
1,500 – 3,500 km3+ hours£350
Over 3,500 km (3–4 h delay)3–4 hours£260
Over 3,500 km (4+ h delay)4+ hours£520

Compensation is per passenger. A family of four on a long-haul flight delayed by 4+ hours could claim up to £2,080 total. The amount is fixed by law and does not depend on your ticket price.

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When Can You Claim?

Flight Delay Compensation

You can claim compensation if your flight arrives at your final destination 3 or more hours later than scheduled. The delay must be the airline's responsibility and not caused by extraordinary circumstances. The delay is measured at arrival — when the aircraft door opens at the gate, not when the wheels touch the runway.

Flight Cancellation Compensation

If your flight is cancelled, your right to compensation depends on how much notice the airline gave you. The key threshold is 14 days.

Notice GivenCompensation?
More than 14 daysUsually No
7–14 daysMaybe (depends on alternative flight)
Less than 7 daysUsually Yes

You are also entitled to a full refund or re-routing to your destination, plus care and assistance while you wait.

Denied Boarding

If you are denied boarding against your will — typically due to overbooking or operational restrictions — you are entitled to the same compensation as for a cancelled flight. Airlines must first ask for volunteers before denying boarding involuntarily. If you are involuntarily denied boarding, you are entitled to compensation, a refund or re-routing, and care and assistance.

Missed Connection

If a delayed first flight causes you to miss a connecting flight, you can claim compensation if both flights were booked under a single reservation and you arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late. The compensation is based on the total distance of your journey. If you booked separate tickets, you can only claim for the individual delayed flight.

Extraordinary Circumstances

Airlines do not have to pay compensation if the delay or cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances — events beyond their control that could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures. However, airlines frequently misclassify operational issues as extraordinary.

SituationCompensation?
Bad Weather❌ No
Airport Closure❌ No
ATC Restrictions❌ No
Political Unrest❌ No
Technical Fault✅ Yes
Crew Shortage✅ Yes
Aircraft Rotation Problems✅ Yes

Many airlines incorrectly classify operational issues as extraordinary circumstances. Technical faults, crew shortages, and aircraft rotation problems are the airline's responsibility — courts have consistently ruled that these do not qualify as extraordinary. If your airline cites any of these reasons, your claim may still be valid.

How To Claim UK261 Compensation

1

Collect evidence

Gather your boarding pass, booking confirmation, proof of delay (photos of departure boards), and any airline communication. Keep receipts for meals, transport, or accommodation.

2

Submit claim to airline

File your claim through the airline's website or by post. Cite UK261, state the compensation amount you are entitled to, and include your evidence.

3

Follow up

If the airline does not respond within 28 days, send a follow-up. Keep records of all communication.

4

Escalate to CAA or ADR

If the airline rejects your claim or ignores it, escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or an Alternative Dispute Resolution body such as CEDR or Aviation ADR. These services are free for passengers.

5

Use airline-specific complaint strategy

Each airline has different tactics and ADR bodies. Use an airline-specific claim package to maximise your chances of success.

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Common Airline Rejection Reasons

Airlines reject many valid claims. Here are the most common rejection reasons and the reality behind them.

"Bad Weather"

Reality: Weather must directly affect your flight. If other flights were operating normally at the same airport, the weather excuse may not hold up.

"Air Traffic Control"

Reality: Routine ATC congestion is often challenged successfully. If the ATC restriction was caused by the airline's own delay, it is not extraordinary.

"Technical Problem"

Reality: Most technical faults are not extraordinary. Courts have ruled that wear-and-tear and routine maintenance issues are the airline's responsibility.

"Crew Shortage"

Reality: Staffing remains the airline's responsibility. Sickness, scheduling errors, and staffing gaps are operational risks the airline must manage.

"Operational Reasons"

Reality: Operational issues rarely remove compensation rights. Airlines must provide a specific cause — vague "operational reasons" are not sufficient.

Related Guides

EU261 Compensation Guide

The EU regulation that UK261 is based on.

Flight Cancellation Compensation

How to claim for cancelled flights.

Missed Connection Compensation

Rights when you miss a connecting flight.

Airline Rejected My Claim

How to challenge and escalate a rejection.

How To Claim Flight Compensation

Step-by-step claiming guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UK261?
UK261 is the UK's retained version of EU Regulation 261/2004, which protects air passengers' rights after Brexit. It entitles passengers on qualifying flights to compensation of up to £520 when their flight is delayed by 3+ hours, cancelled at short notice, or when they are denied boarding due to overbooking. The rules are nearly identical to EU261, with the key difference being that UK261 applies to flights departing from UK airports and to flights arriving in the UK on UK-based carriers.
How much compensation can I get under UK261?
Compensation amounts are fixed by law: £220 for flights under 1,500 km, £350 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and £520 for flights over 3,500 km with a delay of 4+ hours. For flights over 3,500 km delayed by 3–4 hours, the compensation is reduced to £260. These amounts are per passenger, regardless of ticket price.
Can I claim for a delayed flight?
Yes. If your flight arrives at your final destination 3 or more hours later than scheduled, and the delay was within the airline's control (not caused by extraordinary circumstances), you are entitled to compensation. The delay is measured at arrival, not departure.
Can I claim for a cancelled flight?
Yes. If your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice and the airline did not offer a suitable alternative, you are entitled to compensation in addition to a refund or re-routing. The amount depends on the flight distance and how much notice you were given.
What if the airline says bad weather?
Bad weather can be a genuine extraordinary circumstance, but only if it directly affected your specific flight. Airlines sometimes blame weather when the real cause is an operational issue. If other flights were operating normally at the same time and airport, the weather excuse may not hold up. Challenge the airline to provide specific evidence.
Does UK261 apply after Brexit?
Yes. UK261 is the UK's retained version of EU261 and has been in effect since 1 January 2021. The rules are substantially the same. UK261 applies to flights departing from UK airports and to flights arriving in the UK on UK-based carriers. EU261 continues to apply to flights departing from EU airports.
Can I claim for a missed connection?
Yes, if the missed connection was caused by a delay on your first flight and both flights were booked together under a single reservation. The delay is measured at your final destination — you need to arrive 3+ hours late to qualify.
How long do I have to claim?
In the UK, you have 6 years to claim under the Limitation Act 1980 (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland). In Scotland, the period is 5 years under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. It is always best to claim as soon as possible.
Can I claim if I accepted a voucher?
Yes. Accepting vouchers for meals, refreshments, or care and assistance does not waive your right to compensation. These are separate entitlements. However, be careful with "voluntary" rebooking offers — accepting a different flight voluntarily may affect your compensation rights.
How long does the process take?
Airlines are supposed to respond within a reasonable time, but many take 4–8 weeks. If your claim is straightforward and the airline accepts it, you may receive payment within 2–3 months. If the airline rejects your claim and you escalate to an ADR body like CEDR, the process can take an additional 8–12 weeks.

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Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational purposes only. FlightClaimGuide does not provide legal advice and recommends seeking independent professional advice for complex legal matters.