Flight cancelled? Claim compensation AND the costs of your replacement travel
Did your flight get cancelled, forcing you to book your own last-minute alternative? As a leading legal-tech company in Europe specialising in air passenger rights, Flightright helps you reclaim not only your compensation, but also the full cost of the replacement travel you had to organise yourself.
One of the leading passenger rights portals:
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Your Rights: Replacement Travel Paid by the Airline
When you book a flight, the airline is legally responsible for getting you to your destination. But things do not always go according to plan. Flights can be seriously delayed or cancelled at short notice.
In such cases, the airline must provide an alternative route to ensure you reach your destination as quickly as possible—even if extraordinary circumstances caused the cancellation. However, the earliest available option provided might not always be the most practical. Whether you need to arrive in time for an important appointment or wish to avoid an unexpected overnight stay, you are entitled to make your own alternative travel arrangements that better meet your needs.
These may include not only flights offered by other airlines, but also onward travel by train, bus, taxi, or hire car.
Flightright Makes It Simple: Claim Compensation + Reimbursement
This is where Flightright supports you. As a leading European legal-tech platform for air passenger rights, we help you obtain both your compensation and a full refund for the replacement journey you booked yourself.
With Flightright you receive:
Full compensation under UK Regulation 261/2004 for delays or cancellations (up to £520 – minus commission – depending on distance)
PLUS a full refund for the self-booked replacement journey (flight, train, bus, or hire car)
Scenario 1: Flight cancellation with an unreasonable alternative
You are booked on a direct British Airways flight from London Heathrow to New York JFK. On the day of departure, your flight is suddenly cancelled. The airline offers a replacement flight, but not until the following evening. As you need to be in New York for an important meeting, you book your own same-day flight with Aer Lingus via Dublin for £650.
Your entitlement:
Compensation under UK261: £520
Replacement flight cost: £650
Your total claim: £1,170
Scenario 2: Flight cancellation and rail replacement
You are booked on an early morning Ryanair flight from London to Paris. Upon arrival at the airport, Ryanair cancels your flight and offers a replacement late that evening. You do not want to wait that long and opt for a same-day Eurostar train ticket from London for £260.
Your entitlement:
Compensation under UK261: £220
Train ticket cost: £260
Your total claim: £480
When Are You Entitled to Compensation and a Refund of Replacement Costs
You are eligible if:
Your flight was cancelled
The airline did not offer a replacement, or the option provided was unreasonable (e.g. excessive waiting times)
You booked your own replacement transport to reach your destination
Important: You had not yet reached your final destination at the time of the disruption and continued your journey independently
Special cases: Extraordinary circumstances
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, the airline may not be required to pay compensation.
However, the airline is still responsible for providing you with replacement travel. If the alternative offered departs far too late (e.g. the next day or later), you may book your own replacement and claim the cost back.
Flightright is Here to Help
Ready to assess and submit your compensation claim? With our simple and free compensation calculator, you can make a claim in just three easy steps.
Check your claim for free now
Simply enter your departure and destination airports to check your entitlement.
Required documents to make a claim
For us to make a successful claim, we need:
Original flight booking confirmation
Proof of disruption (delay confirmation, cancellation notice)
Boarding passes (if available)
Booking confirmation and invoice for your replacement travel
Correspondence with the airline
Evidence that the airline’s alternative was unreasonable