Effective since 2021
Your rights when a flight is disrupted in the UK
A simple online check — start with the details you remember.
Rights retained in UK law
Route and operating carrier matter
Compensation depends on distance
UK261 is the UK's retained air passenger-rights regime following Brexit. It protects passengers on qualifying flights to and from UK airports when flights are delayed, cancelled or overbooked.
Derived from EU261 and effective since 2021, the rules give eligible travellers a right to care, rerouting or a refund, and fixed compensation paid in pounds where the airline is responsible.
UK261 is the UK's retained version of EU261. The rules are broadly similar, but UK261 applies to qualifying UK flights, pays compensation in pounds and is enforced in the UK by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Passengers are entitled to compensation when their flight arrives at its final destination 3 hours or more late, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
A cancellation announced less than 14 days before departure may qualify. The replacement flight timing and any extraordinary circumstances both matter.
If you are denied boarding against your will due to overbooking, you are entitled to immediate compensation and assistance.
Regardless of the cause of disruption, airlines must provide care and assistance to affected passengers while they wait.
UK261 usually follows the airport you departed from and the carrier operating your flight. A flight from any UK airport is covered, whatever the airline. An arrival at a UK airport can also be covered when operated by a UK or EU/EEA carrier.
Package holidays are protected too
UK261 may apply to qualifying flights booked as part of a package holiday as well as flights booked separately.
UK261 was directly adopted from EU261 so the rules are nearly identical. The main differences are:
Airlines are not required to pay compensation when flight disruptions are caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. They must still provide care and assistance.
You have 6 years from the date of your flight to make a claim under UK261 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). In Scotland the limit is 5 years.
England, Wales & Northern Ireland: 6 years
Scotland: 5 years
An airline rejection does not always mean your flight is outside UK261. It can still be worth checking the reason given and the facts of your disruption.
Timing varies with the airline, the details of the disruption and whether further information is needed.
You can usually begin with the flight details you remember. Documents can help later, but you do not need everything ready to get started.
Start your claim and get personalised assistance with your specific case.