How to claim compensation for cancelled flights
You know what it’s like: you’ve scrimped and saved for that special trip, booked the accommodation, packed your bags and even managed to get the kids in the car. There is nothing to prepare you for the disappointment of reaching the airport and finding out that your flight has been cancelled. Whether you’re in this situation or simply asking yourself, “What happens if my flight is cancelled?”, it may be a source of comfort to know that you have rights! Under the UK Regulation No. 261/2004, air passengers are entitled to a ticket refund or a replacement flight, and they can claim flight cancellation compensation under certain conditions.
Our free flight cancellation compensation calculator will let you know if you are entitled to a refund!
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Quick summary of your flight cancellation compensation
If your flight is cancelled within 14 days before departure, you can request a ticket refund or flight rebooking and even compensation under certain circumstances.
If the cancellation is due to reasons within the airline’s control, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Flight cancellation compensation varies between £220 and £520, based on the length of the flight and the period of notice given.
You need to contact your airline as soon as possible if your flight is cancelled, and you may also be entitled to assistance, care, and accommodation if necessary.
Airlines are exempt from providing compensation if the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.
UK Passengers have up to six years (five in Scotland) to file a claim for compensation under EC 261/2004.
Did you have a flight delay or a flight cancellation? Check your rights now and increase your chances of compensation.
Flight cancellations: your rights explained
If your flight is cancelled, your airline must rebook you on a replacement flight or offer you a full refund of your ticket. An important condition: your flight must depart from the UK or the EU. If your return flight to the UK is cancelled and you are flying with an EU or UK airline, you are also covered under the so-called EC 261/2004 air passenger regulation.
Further, you might be entitled to claim flight cancellation compensation if your airline informed you 14 days or less before the scheduled day of departure. The compensation amount ranges between £220 and £520 per passenger based on the flight distance.
My flight got cancelled: I want a replacement flight
As mentioned before, if your flight gets cancelled, you are covered under UK law. One of the options the airlines need to offer you is a free replacement flight (re-routing) to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or on an agreed date.
Important
If you accept the airline’s option of re-routing you to a different flight, you are no longer eligible for a ticket refund!
This does not necessarily mean you will fly with the original airline you had booked with. As an example: If your British Airways flight is cancelled and there is only a rival airline flight available, for example Easyjet, you can request this option.
However, rebooking you on an alternative flight is not the only option the airline has to offer you to get you to your destination. You may also request to be booked onto a different mode of transport, such as trains or buses.
Good to know: You should not go ahead and book a replacement flight yourself. It’s always best to talk to your airline and find a mutual agreement. Especially if your newly booked alternative flight is even more expensive, you might be left with the price difference to your originally booked flight.
My flight got cancelled: I want a ticket refund
If your flight got cancelled and you prefer to get a refund of your original ticket price, the airline is obliged to reimburse you within seven days. The price of the ticket refund includes all parts of the ticket you have not used.
What happens if your flight is cancelled at short notice?
If your flight was cancelled after you arrived at the airport and you chose a replacement flight, you’re entitled to assistance and care. This includes two free phone calls, fax messages, or emails. You are also eligible to receive free meals and light refreshments (usually in the form of vouchers) as well as hotel accommodation and transfers if an overnight stay is necessary.
If the airline does not offer your vouchers for the above, it’s important for you to keep all your receipts so you can file a claim later with our flight cancellation compensation calculator.
Claim compensation for a cancelled flight
Under UK law 261/2004 you are legally entitled to claim compensation if the cancellation is due to the airline’s responsibility and all the following conditions apply:
Your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before your scheduled departure date
You chose the option of a replacement flight, and it will delay the arrival time by 2 hours or more
Your flight was scheduled to fly in the past six years (five in Scotland)
The amount of flight cancellation compensation you can claim will further depend on:
The timeframe when the flight was cancelled
The flight distance
The departure and arrival times of the scheduled flight
Flight cancellation: How much compensation can I claim?
If the airline informs you about the cancellation at short notice, you might also be entitled to compensation. The EU Regulation Nr. 261/2004 states that airlines should inform customers about cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you on time, you could be entitled to £220 to £520 (€250 – €600) per passenger according to the distance of the flight. The same applies to flights that are brought forward at short notice.
To claim compensation for a cancelled flight, the following conditions need to be met:
The airline has to be responsible for the cause of the flight cancellation
You checked in for your flight on time
Your flight was leaving the UK, EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland with any airline
Your flight was arriving in the UK or EU with a UK or EU airline
You encountered these problems on a flight operated in the last 6 six years in the UK (five years in Scotland)
The table below provides a detailed overview of the circumstances under which air passengers may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation based on when they were notified of the flight cancellation.
Notification before departure | An alternative flight lands at the destination | Right to compensation |
|---|---|---|
More than 14 days before | Departure/arrival Irrelevant | No |
7 -14 days before | Departs no more than 2 hours earlier/arrives less than 4 hours later | No |
7 -14 days before | Departs more than 2 hours earlier/arrives more than 4 hours later | Yes |
Less than 7 days before | Departs no more than 1 hour earlier/arrives less than 2 hours later | No |
Less than 7 days before | Departs more than 1 hour earlier/arrives more than 2 hours later | Yes |
Less than 14 days before | No alternative flight offered | Yes |
Compensation if your flight was cancelled more than 14 days before departure
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for compensation for the cancellation. However, you do still have the option of either requesting a full ticket refund or having the airline book an alternative flight for you.
To claim compensation on top of a ticket refund, your flight has to have been cancelled less than two weeks before you were meant to fly.
Compensation if your flight was cancelled 7 to 14 days before departure
Flight distance | Departure and arrival times | Compensation (per person) |
|---|---|---|
Less than 1,500km | Departure – up to 2 hours earlier than booked flight | £110* |
Less than 1,500km | Arrival – up to 2 hours later than booked flight | £110* |
Less than 1,500km | Departure – at least 2 hours earlier than booked flight | £220* |
Less than 1,500km | Arrival – at least 2 hours later than booked flight | £220* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Departure – up to 2 hours earlier than booked flight | £175* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Arrival – up to 3 hours later than booked flight | £175* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Departure – at least 2 hours earlier than booked flight | £350* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Arrival – between 3 and 4 hours later than booked flight | £350* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Arrival – at least 4 hours later than booked flight | £350* |
3,500km + | Departure – up to 2 hours earlier than booked flight | £260* |
3,500km + | Arrival – up to 4 hours later than booked flight | £260* |
3,500km + | Arrival – at least 4 hours later than booked flight | £520* |
*Minus commission (usually 20 to 30% [if nec. plus attorney’s fee of 14% ] plus VAT) if claimed through our service
Compensation if your flight was cancelled less than 7 days before departure
Flight distance | Departure and arrival times | Compensation (per person) |
|---|---|---|
Less than 1,500km | Departure – at least 1 hour earlier than booked flight | £110* |
Less than 1,500km | Arrival – up to 2 hours later than booked flight | £110* |
Less than 1,500km | Arrival – at least 2 hours later than booked flight | £220* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Departure – at least 1 hour earlier than booked flight | £175* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Arrival – up to 3 hours later than booked flight | £175* |
1,500km to 3,500km | Arrival – at least 3 hours later than booked flight | £350* |
3,500km + | Departure – at least 1 hour earlier than booked flight | £260* |
3,500km + | Arrival – up to 4 hours later than booked flight | £260* |
3,500km + | Arrival – at least 4 hours later than booked flight | £520* |
*Minus commission (usually 20 to 30% [if nec. plus attorney’s fee of 14% ] plus VAT) if claimed through our service
My flight was brought forward. Can I claim compensation?
If your flight is brought forward, this is considered to be the same as a cancellation, and as such, you are entitled to compensation. In general, the earlier the airline alerts you to your rearranged flight times, the more likely it is that the new schedule differs from the original flight without the airline having an obligation to compensate you. The price you paid for your ticket bears no relevance to your claims, and passengers who travelled on package holidays are also able to claim.
Important
You can claim up to £520 in compensation, even if you have already been reimbursed for the price of your ticket. If the airline provides you with meals and refreshment vouchers, this doesn’t alleviate their responsibility to issue your compensation.
What if my flight was part of a connecting journey?
When a cancelled flight affects one part of a connecting journey, the airline must arrange an alternative route to get you to your final destination. Whether you qualify for flight cancellation compensation depends on the total delay you experience — not just the cancelled segment.
If you miss a connection because one of your flights was cancelled and you reach your final destination 3 hours or more later than originally planned, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. It’s important to understand that your rights apply to the entire journey, provided all flights were booked together under one reservation number.
If, however, the flights were purchased separately, each ticket is treated as its own contract. In that case, compensation for one leg doesn’t automatically apply to the rest of your trip.
The following table highlights some examples to illustrate how this works in practice:
Scenario | Compensation? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
Paris → Amsterdam (cancelled) → Singapore (arrival 5h late) | Yes | The cancellation caused a 5-hour delay to the final destination on one booking. |
Rome → Zurich (on time) → New York (cancelled) | Yes | The long-haul flight was cancelled within a single booking, so compensation applies. |
Berlin → Doha (on time) → Melbourne (cancelled, booked separately) | No | The second flight was on a separate ticket, so it’s treated as an independent journey. |
Vienna → Lisbon (cancelled) → São Paulo (arrival 2h late) | No | The total delay at the final destination was under 3 hours. |
How long are compensation claims valid?
In the UK, compensation claims are valid for up to six years, while Scotland has a claimable period of five years. The claim period begins from the end of the year in which the incident occurred. This means that if your flight was cancelled on 01.01.2025, you have until the end of 2031 to enforce your claim – that’s almost 7 years!
Good to know: the timeframe you have to make a claim for cancelled flights varies from country to country. In Germany, for example, the maximum claim period is three years; in Sweden its 10 years. Our Flightright team can advise you if you would like to know how much time you have left to enforce a claim.
My flight got cancelled, and I cannot claim compensation – why?
While the reasons for flight cancellations can vary, certain circumstances are simply beyond the airline’s control. In these cases, airlines use the clause of “extraordinary circumstances” to deny you compensation.
What are considered extraordinary circumstances?
The airline is exempt from making compensation claims for flight cancellation in the event of any of these extraordinary circumstances:
Severe weather conditions: Hail, fog, ice, snowfall, or even storms.
Security risks: Terror attacks, sabotage, or bomb warnings
Strikes: Such as air traffic control strikes or airport personnel strikes
Air traffic control restrictions: Military activities, political unrest, or natural disasters
Technical defects caused by third parties: bird collisions or drone activities
Natural disasters: Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or flooding
Even when a flight is cancelled because of extraordinary circumstances, the airline needs to do everything within its power and take all reasonable measures to avoid the cancellation (European Court of Justice ruling of 2020, Case C-74/19).
As such, the airline must demonstrate that it was not possible to rebook individual passengers onto a faster connection. They must prove that they examined the possibility of rebooking passengers not only onto their own flights, but also the flights of other airlines. This includes both direct and indirect connections. If an alternative means of transportation, such as a bus, train, or taxi, could get a passenger to their destination faster, this must also be considered.
In cases where airlines did not do everything within their power to minimise the disruption, air passengers may still be entitled to claim compensation for the cancelled flight.
Extraordinary circumstances and whether they are claimable
The following table summarises common extraordinary circumstances and whether you can claim compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004:
Event | Extraordinary circumstance | Compensation Claim Possible? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
Severe weather (e.g. storms, heavy snow, fog) | Yes | No | Weather conditions are outside the airline’s control. |
Air traffic control strike or restrictions | Yes | No | Managed by authorities, not the airline. |
Airport or runway closure | Yes | No | Safety or operational decision beyond the airline’s responsibility. |
Security threats or political unrest | Yes | No | Airlines must prioritise passenger safety. |
Bird strike or drone disruption causing a flight reroute | Yes | No | Considered an external, unpredictable event outside the airline’s control. |
Manufacturing defects reported by the aircraft manufacturer | Yes | No | Considered extraordinary since it’s not airline-related |
Technical fault due to poor maintenance | No | Yes | This is the airline’s responsibility and not extraordinary. |
Crew scheduling issues or sickness | No | Yes | Operational problems are within the airline’s control. |
Airline staff strike | No | Yes | Internal strikes are the airline’s responsibility. |
Flight cancellation on a business trip
If you suffered a flight cancellation while travelling on business, you’ll be the one who receives the compensation, not your employer. Likewise, if you’re travelling as a state official, the EU regulation states that you’ll be the one who is owed compensation from the airline. It is the individual passenger who endured the inconvenience of the delay who receives the benefit, not the person who paid for the ticket. This stands no matter the ticket price.
Did you have a flight cancellation?
How can I ensure that my future flights are secure?
We can’t help you to load your car, but we can certainly take a load off your mind. Simply enter the details of any upcoming flights into our Flightright Portal, and we will keep an eye on them for you.
If any of your flights are delayed or cancelled, we will provide you with relevant information about your rights and let you know if you are entitled to claim compensation.
Our Flightright checklist for claiming compensation for cancelled flights
Collect documents and evidence: Keep your boarding pass, e-ticket, and booking confirmation in a safe place. These documents form the basis for proving your claim for compensation after a flight cancellation. If you do not have digital evidence, request replacement copies from your airline.
Get written confirmation of the flight cancellation: Have the flight cancellation confirmed in writing by the airline’s ground staff. Request official confirmation directly at the airport, including the reason for the cancellation (e.g. ‘strike’, ‘technical defect’, etc.). This information strengthens your legal position and is often decisive when it comes to making a claim later on.
Claim on-site assistance: If your re-routed flight is delayed by more than two hours, you are entitled to free meals, drinks, and communication facilities. In the event of a longer delay, you can also request hotel accommodation – have all services confirmed in writing and keep the receipts.
Request alternative transport or a refund: Insist on a suitable replacement flight or demand a full refund of the ticket price. According to the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, you always have the choice between alternative transport and a refund. Also check whether other costs (e.g. seat reservations, baggage fees) must be refunded.
Check your entitlement to compensation: Find out whether any extraordinary circumstances limit your entitlement. Check whether strikes, severe weather, or other external factors exclude compensation; however, technical defects and internal airline strikes are not usually considered extraordinary circumstances, so your entitlement remains.
Keep all costs and receipts: Keep all receipts and proof of costs (meals, hotel, additional transport costs) in order to enforce any further claims for reimbursement.
Limitation period: In the UK, you are eligible to claim for cancelled flights for up to six years; you have to 5 years to claim Scotland.
Submit your claim: Use Flightright’s online compensation calculator and simply enter your flight details to find out immediately whether you are entitled to compensation. If the check is positive, Flightright will take care of the entire process for you on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Using Flightright offers you additional security in enforcing your claims, as the entire process is handled transparently and reliably for you.
Flight cancellations today
Are you looking to claim cancelled flight compensation for a flight that has just been cancelled? The following table displays the most recent flight cancellations from across Europe. Select your flight and follow the onscreen instructions to submit your compensation claim. It only takes two minutes to submit a claim; our team of dedicated legal experts takes care of the rest.
Frequently asked questions about flight cancellation compensation
Did you have a flight cancellation?
With over 16 years of experience, Flightright helps you enforce your right to compensation. Trust in our experience and our success rate infront of national and international courts to help you get the compensation you are owed!
Heidi’s Triumph Over a Cancelled Flight with Flightright’s Help
The Start of the Journey: A Dream Trip Disrupted
For Heidi, her January 25th flight from Malmö to Bucharest was supposed to be the beginning of an exciting journey. Everything was meticulously planned, and she was at the airport, ready to depart. But after waiting more than four hours past the scheduled departure time, she received frustrating news: her flight had been cancelled. Wizz Air, the airline, blamed “extraordinary circumstances” for the cancellation, but Heidi knew this was simply an excuse. Disappointed and burdened with additional costs for missed arrangements, she was left to find her own way forward.
Seeking Justice: Heidi’s Frustrating Attempt for Compensation
Initially, Heidi tried reaching out directly to the airline, confident that EU regulations would ensure fair compensation. However, Wizz Air denied her claim, standing by their “extraordinary circumstances” defense and refusing to reimburse her expenses as initially promised. Heidi’s frustration grew as she saw her rights ignored and her efforts dismissed. Determined to fight for the compensation she was owed, Heidi turned to Flightright.
Discovering Flightright: A Trustworthy Ally in Passenger Rights
After her disappointing encounter with Wizz Air, Heidi began searching online for solutions. This is when she came across Flightright, a platform that specialises in helping passengers claim their rights against airlines. With positive reviews and a straightforward, risk-free approach, Flightright immediately caught her attention. “It felt reassuring to find a service so well-suited to handle cases like mine,” Heidi recalls. Signing up was easy, and soon, she had uploaded all the necessary evidence onto our compensation calculator, leaving her case in the hands of Flightright’s experts.
A Two-Month Wait with Ongoing Support
Once Flightright took on her case, they kept Heidi informed of every development. Although the process took around two months, Heidi appreciated the consistent updates from the team. “The frequent communication kept me at ease, and I could tell they were working hard to push my case forward,” she explains. Unlike her previous experience with the airline, Flightright made her feel valued and heard throughout.
Victory at Last: Flightright Secures Heidi’s Compensation
On May 8th, 2019, Flightright contacted Heidi with great news: they had successfully won her case against Wizz Air, who had finally agreed to pay the compensation she was owed. Relieved and grateful, Heidi knew she had made the right choice by trusting Flightright. With her compensation quickly processed, minus the success fee, she could now move on from the ordeal.
Heidi’s Recommendation: A Five-Star Experience with Flightright
Reflecting on her experience, Heidi is enthusiastic about recommending Flightright’s services to anyone facing similar struggles. “If you’re dealing with an airline that tries to dodge paying what they owe, Flightright is the ally you need,” she shares. Thanks to Flightright’s dedication, Heidi received the compensation she deserved, restoring her confidence in her rights as a passenger.
We are proud to have supported Heidi and helped turn a difficult experience into a victory. Thank you, Heidi, for allowing us to stand by you every step of the way! ❤️
Overall: Top service – a very good experience with Flightright!!!
This is the review HEIDI left us after Flightright successfully helped him get compensation for his Cancelled Flight
Great service, highly recommended!!!
Compensation for cancelled Wizz Air flight W6 3210 last 25th Jan 2019
My outbound flight from Malmø, Sweden to Bucharest, Romania was cancelled, after more than 4 hours from the supposed departure time. To no surprise, the said airline refused to pay me the EU standard compensation and reimburse me with the incurred costs (which they initially promised) because their alibi is that the cancellation was due to “extraordinary circumstances” which is a complete lie. I took this case to FlightRight on the 26th February 2019 along with my gathered hard evidences and yesterday (8th May 2019), they already informed me that Wizz Air finally agreed and paid the compensation I am entitled to. During the 2 months that the case was on-going, FlightRight also never fail to give me an update about its status. I would highly recommend FlightRight’s service for airlines like Wizz Air who tries to get away on paying the compensation that the passengers are entitled to.
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Your flight did not go as planned?
In the event of flight delays, cancellations and overbooking, passengers may be entitled to compensation or ticket reimbursement. Flightright enforces your rights.