UK261 Coverage – Know Which Flights Are Protected Under UK Passenger Rights
UK Regulation 261/2019 (UK261) was directly adapted from EU261/2004 — the rules are virtually identical. UK261 covers flights departing from any UK airport (any airline) and flights arriving at UK airports operated by UK or EU/EEA carriers. For flights between UK and EU airports, both UK261 and EU261 may apply, giving you two avenues to claim.
Passengers on flights arriving at UK airports operated by airlines from any of these 27 EU countries are protected under UK261 — in addition to all UK-based carriers.
Airlines from these EEA countries operating arrivals to UK airports are also covered under UK261.
UK261 was adopted directly from EU261 after Brexit, so the two sets of rules are nearly identical. The main difference: UK261 uses British pounds (£220/£350/£520) instead of euros (€250/€400/€600), and covers UK airports instead of EU airports. If your flight departed from a UK airport, claim under UK261. If it departed from an EU airport, claim under EU261. Flights between UK and EU airports may qualify under both.
Some overseas territories and regions of EU countries may have limited coverage. It's important to check the specific status of each territory when claiming compensation.
Key EU airports where EU261 also applies on departing flights to the UK:
Whether you're flying from London to Barcelona, Glasgow to Warsaw, or Manchester to Rome, UK261 may protect you.