Flight Cancelled or Delayed Today?

What To Do Immediately When Your Flight Is Cancelled or Delayed

Whether you're at London Heathrow, Manchester Airport, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, or any UK airport—or at major international hubs like JFK, LAX, O'Hare, Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam Schiphol—these rights apply immediately. If you're reading this from an airport terminal, train station near an airport, or your home after a disruption, follow these steps.

First, Identify Your Flight Situation

Flight Cancelled Before Departure

If your flight is cancelled, you have the right to choose between a full refund, re-routing at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing at a later date of your choosing. If the cancellation happened less than 14 days before departure, you may also be entitled to compensation. See our compensation eligibility guide for details.

Flight Delayed Several Hours

Legal "arrival" is measured at the moment the aircraft doors open at the final destination. If this delay exceeds three hours and the airline is at fault, you can claim fixed compensation. Use our compensation calculator to estimate your claim amount.

Overbooked or Denied Boarding

Involuntary denied boarding due to overbooking triggers immediate compensation rights. In the UK/EU, this follows the standard distance bands (see UK261/EU261 compensation table); in the US, it can reach up to $1,550 depending on the delay to your destination. Learn more about US DOT refund rules.

Missed Connection Due to Airline Delay

If your connections are part of a single booking reference (PNR), the airline that caused the first delay is responsible for the impact on your entire journey. You can claim for the total delay at your final destination. For immediate action steps, see what to do immediately.

Am I Entitled to Compensation for a Cancelled or Delayed Flight?

Compensation depends on whether the disruption was within the airline's control. These are classified as "extraordinary" vs "non-extraordinary" circumstances. If you need immediate guidance, see our immediate actions section.

When Airlines Must Pay Compensation

• Technical Issues: Routine mechanical failures and early component wear are considered "inherent" in operating an airline and are not extraordinary.
• Crew Shortages/Illness: Recent court rulings confirm that staff illness or crew shortages are mundane business occurrences and require compensation.
• Airline Staff Strikes: If the pilots or cabin crew of your specific airline strike, it is considered within the carrier's control.

When Compensation Is Usually Not Owed

• Weather: Severe conditions incompatible with safe operation, like heavy fog or volcanic ash.
• Air Traffic Control: Decisions made by ATC towers or runway closures.
• Third-Party Strikes: Strikes by airport security, baggage handlers, or ATC staff.
• Security Risks: Acts of terrorism, sabotage, or political instability.

Flight Compensation Rules in the UK and European Union

EU261 and UK261 Explained Simply

UK261 is a retained version of the original EU regulation, ensuring rights remained identical after Brexit. To be covered, your flight must depart from a UK/EU airport or arrive in the UK/EU on a UK/EU-registered airline. For more details on compensation eligibility, see our comprehensive guide.

Compensation Amounts by Distance

Use our compensation calculator above or refer to the table below for exact amounts. For international flights outside UK/EU, different rules apply.

Note: Payouts are fixed per person and do not depend on the price of your ticket.

The 2025 Update Warning

EU ministers proposed a rollback in June 2025 that would raise delay thresholds to 4 hours for short-haul and 6 hours for long-haul flights. While the European Parliament is fighting to maintain the current 3-hour "red line," passengers should monitor these changes closely as they may take effect within 12-18 months.

What If Your Flight Is Outside the UK or EU?

If your flight doesn't qualify under UK261 or EU261, different rules may apply. See below for US and international flight compensation rules.

US DOT Automatic Refund Rules (2024-2025)

The US Department of Transportation issued a landmark Final Rule requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights. A significant delay is defined as 3+ hours for domestic and 6+ hours for international US flights. This differs from UK261/EU261 fixed compensation but provides strong consumer protection. Whether you're at JFK, LAX, O'Hare, DFW, or any US airport, these rules apply.

The Montreal Convention (MC99)

For international flights between over 140 countries, the Montreal Convention governs liability for "proven damages". This does not provide a fixed sum for time lost (unlike UK261/EU261), but allows you to claim for specific financial losses like missed hotel nights or essential clothes if your bag is lost. The current limit for passenger delay damages is 5,346 Special Drawing Rights (SDR), approximately £5,700 or €6,700. For travel insurance claims related to these losses, see our insurance section.

Flight Compensation Rights at Major Airports

Your compensation rights are the same regardless of which airport you're departing from or arriving at. Whether you're experiencing delays at London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, or Glasgow in the UK, or at major international hubs like JFK, LAX, O'Hare, DFW, Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Madrid Barajas, or Rome Fiumicino, the regulations apply based on your flight's origin, destination, and airline, not the specific airport.

UK Airports - UK261 Rights

If your flight departs from or arrives at any UK airport (including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Newcastle, or any other UK airport), and you're flying on a UK or EU airline, UK261 compensation rules apply. This includes flights from London to anywhere in the world, as long as the operating carrier is UK/EU registered.

EU Airports - EU261 Rights

For flights departing from or arriving at EU airports (including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Madrid, Rome, Dublin, and all 27 EU member state airports), EU261 compensation applies. The same rules apply whether you're at a major hub or a smaller regional airport.

US Airports - US DOT Rules

For flights at US airports (JFK, LAX, O'Hare, DFW, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, and all US airports), the US DOT automatic refund rules apply for significantly delayed or cancelled flights. These rules protect passengers at all US airports equally.

Train Stations & Transport Hubs Near Airports

If you're at a train station near an airport (such as Heathrow Express stations, Gatwick Express, Manchester Airport train station, or any airport rail link), and your flight is delayed or cancelled, you still have the same rights. The key is your flight's status, not your current location. Many passengers search for compensation information while waiting at airport train stations or nearby transport hubs.

Remember: Your compensation rights depend on your flight's route and airline, not the specific airport terminal or nearby location. Use our compensation calculator to estimate your claim, regardless of which airport you're at.

Refund, Rebooking, or Alternative Travel – Which Is Better?

Taking a Refund

Choosing a refund is best if you no longer wish to travel. It must include all unused parts of your ticket and be paid within 7 days. However, once you take a refund, the airline no longer has a "duty of care" to provide you with meals or a hotel.

Accepting Airline Rebooking

If you still need to reach your destination, the airline must find you a replacement flight. If they cannot rebook you on their own metal "significantly sooner" (often interpreted as within 3 hours under 2025 guidance), they must rebook you on a rival airline.

Booking Your Own Replacement Flight

If the airline is unhelpful during a mass disruption, you may book your own flight and claim reimbursement. Keep costs "reasonable" and document every attempt to contact the airline first.

Claiming Travel Insurance After a Flight Disruption

Travel insurance covers "consequential losses" that the airline's statutory compensation does not, such as non-refundable tours or prepaid events.

• What Insurance Covers: Trip abandonment (after 12-24 hours), medical emergencies, and delays caused by "acts of God" like weather.
• The "Double Claiming" Rule: You cannot claim the same expense from both the airline and your insurer. Insurance usually pays for things the airline is legally exempt from paying.
• Documents Needed: A letter from the airline confirming the delay, your PIR for baggage, and all itemized receipts.

Does My Airline Matter?

The rules apply regardless of whether you fly a budget carrier like Ryanair or a full-service airline like British Airways. However, the Operating Carrier is the one liable for compensation. If you booked a codeshare (e.g., booked via Delta but the plane is operated by Virgin Atlantic), your claim is with the airline that was physically flying the plane.

Costly Mistakes Passengers Make After Flight Disruptions

• Vouchers as Waivers: Be careful of "goodwill" vouchers that contain small print waiving your right to cash compensation.
• Missing Deadlines: You have 6 years in England/Wales and 5 years in Scotland. Some EU countries like Poland (1 year) or Sweden (2 months for notification) have much tighter windows.
• Discarding Evidence: Never throw away your boarding pass or receipts until the cash is in your bank account.

How Long Do Flight Compensation Claims Take?

Airlines typically have 8 weeks to respond in the UK. New 2025 EU rules aim to force a reply within 14 days. If your claim is rejected, you can escalate to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Flight Cancellation & Delay FAQs

Your Rights Matter – Act Early, Stay Informed

The aviation industry is built on complex schedules that frequently break down. However, regulations like UK261, EU261, and the Montreal Convention exist to ensure the passenger is not the one paying the price for commercial failures. Whether it is securing an automatic refund for a US flight or claiming £520 for a long-haul delay, your primary weapon is knowledge and documentation. Act immediately at the gate, refuse early vouchers, and keep your receipts.

Remember: Use our compensation calculator to estimate your claim, review the UK261 and EU261 rules for exact amounts, and check international flight rules if your flight was outside UK/EU.