The Simplest Explanation of Your Flight Delay Rights

If your flight is delayed when departing from the UK or EU, knowing your rights can make a stressful situation easier to manage. This article offers the simplest explanation of flight delay rights and benefits, breaking down what you’re entitled to and when. From compensation eligibility to the care you should receive during a delay, we’ll cover everything you need to know in straightforward terms.

Here’s the simplest explanation of your flight delay rights and benefits:

First, let’s clarify what we mean by a delay: A flight delay is when you as a passenger arrive at your destination later than the scheduled arrival time, calculated from the time the aircraft door opens at the destination.

1. Right to Care

Airlines must look after passengers during a delay lasting two hours or more. The level of care provided is based on the delay duration and includes:

• Meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time.
• Two free communications (phone calls, emails, or even faxes!).
• Hotel accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is needed.

The longer the delay, the more support the airline should provide under your flight delay rights. If the airline doesn’t provide these, pay yourself and keep the receipts and claim it back later (see How and When to Claim below)

2. Compensation

Compensation for a delayed flight depends on two factors: the distance of your flight and how much later you arrive at your destination compared to the original schedule.

• Flight distance: Compensation increases with the distance of your flight:
  • €250 for short-haul flights (up to 1,500 km),
  • €400 for medium-haul flights (1,500 km to 3,500 km),
  • €600 for long-haul flights (over 3,500 km).
• Arrival delay: The delay of your rebooked flight also affects compensation. If you arrive significantly later than planned:
  • 2 hours or more for short-haul,
  • 3 hours or more for medium-haul,
  • 4 hours or more for long-haul, you are entitled to full compensation. If the delay is shorter, the compensation may be reduced or not applicable.

Remember: The length of the delay is the difference between your scheduled arrival time and your actual arrival time, calculated using the arrival time on your ticket and the time the aircraft door opens at the destination.

3. Rebooking or Refund

If the delay reaches five hours or more, you have the right to:

• Cancel your flight and receive a full refund.
• Rebook an alternative flight to your destination, at no additional cost.

You will still be entitled to compensation if you choose to rebook or take a refund.

4. Exceptions

Compensation won’t apply if the airline can prove that the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control – like severe weather or air traffic control strikes. However, your other rights, such as rebooking and care, still apply.

Remember: The airline must prove the extraordinary circumstances and you have every right to escalate your claim if they don’t, which is very common.

5. All Departing Airlines Must Comply

These rules apply to all airlines, including those from countries outside the EU and UK, but with specific conditions. Here’s how it works:

• Flights departing from the UK or EU: The regulations apply to all flights departing from the UK or EU, regardless of the airline’s country of origin. This means even if you are flying with a non-EU/UK airline (e.g., Emirates or American Airlines), you are still protected by these rules if your flight departs from the UK or EU.
• Flights arriving in the UK or EU: For flights arriving in the UK or EU, the rules only apply if you are flying with an EU or UK-based airline. Non-EU/UK airlines are not required to follow these regulations for flights landing in the UK or EU from other countries.

In summary, all airlines must follow these rules for delayed departures from the UK or EU.

Read more about the extra protection you receive with EU/UK-based carriers for return flights.

6. How and When to Claim

If your flight was delayed and you believe you’re entitled to compensation, follow these steps to make a claim:

1. Contact the Airline Directly: Start by contacting the airline’s customer service team. Most airlines have online claim forms specifically for compensation requests. Provide details such as your booking reference, flight number, and the circumstances of the delay.
2. Keep Your Documents: Make sure you keep a copy of your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any correspondence with the airline. This will help support your claim.
3. Timing of the Claim: It’s best to submit your claim as soon as possible after your delayed flight. However, you typically have up to 6 years in the UK or 2 years in some EU countries to make a claim, depending on local regulations.
4. Escalate if Needed: If the airline rejects your claim or doesn’t respond within a reasonable timeframe (usually 2 months), you can escalate the matter to a national enforcement body or a dispute resolution service.
5. Consider Using a Claim Service: If you’d rather not handle the process yourself, claim companies can help. Be aware, though, that they may charge a fee for their services.

BG1 Verdict

We always encourage applying for compensation, even if the outcome is uncertain—it’s often interesting to see whether the reason given matches what the gate staff and flight crew told us. Expect to receive a negative response at first, but be persistent. Airlines rely on passengers giving up, so don’t be discouraged and keep pressing your claim. A little knowledge and persistence can turn a frustrating delay into a fair resolution.

BG1 Tip

If you’re sat at the back of the aircraft and can’t see when the doors open, the row number lights in the overhead panel above your seat will all turn on when the aircraft door is open. These will be off while the door is closed.