How UK261 flight compensation works
If your flight arrives at its final destination 3 hours or more late and the airline was at fault, you are legally entitled to fixed statutory compensation ranging from £220 to £520 per passenger.
Airlines must also provide a duty of care, reimbursing reasonable meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation when delays extend overnight.
Worked example: Medium haul family delay
A family of 2 passengers on a 2,200 km medium-haul flight from London to Athens delayed by 4.5 hours due to airline crew shortages receives statutory compensation of £350 per person (£700 total), plus £70 in meal expense reimbursements, totalling £770.
Inputs for the flight delay compensation calculator
Flight Distance Tier
Route distance tier (short haul under 1,500km, medium 1,500-3,500km, or long haul).
Arrival Delay
Delay duration upon arrival at your final ticketed destination.
Passenger Count
Number of ticketed passengers in your travelling party eligible for compensation.
Delay Reason
Whether the delay was airline fault or genuine extraordinary circumstances.
Duty of Care Expenses
Reimbursement for food, drinks, and hotel accommodation incurred during the wait.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
Flight delay compensation calculator questions
Can airlines avoid paying by claiming technical defects?
No. Routine technical issues and maintenance problems are considered inherent in operating an airline and do not count as extraordinary circumstances under UK law.
How many years back can I claim UK flight delay compensation?
In England and Wales, you have up to six years from the date of the delayed flight to bring a claim against the airline under the Limitation Act 1980.