Flight delay compensation

The key question is whether your flight was delayed by more than three hours, cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice or overbooked. If any of these apply and the disruption was within the airline’s control, you are likely entitled to compensation. The amount depends on the length of your flight and the length of the delay. Use the tables in this guide to work out what you may be owed.

It depends on how far you were flying. For short-haul flights up to three hours, you can claim £220. For medium-haul flights between three and six hours, you can claim £350. For long-haul flights over six hours, you can claim £520, though if your delay was under four hours on a long-haul route, this reduces to £260. All figures are per person.

Airlines sometimes cite extraordinary circumstances – such as extreme weather, air traffic control strikes or security threats – to avoid paying compensation. If you do not believe this applies to your situation, you have the right to challenge it. The Civil Aviation Authority provides guidance on when an extraordinary circumstances claim can be disputed.

Yes. Even where compensation is not payable, your airline must still offer you a full refund or a replacement flight. They must also provide care and assistance while you wait – including food, drink and accommodation if you are delayed overnight.

First check that your airline is a member of an alternative dispute resolution scheme – it is required to tell you which one. You can escalate your complaint to that scheme if you are getting nowhere with the airline directly. The Civil Aviation Authority’s Passenger Advice and Complaints Team can also advise on whether you have a valid complaint, though it does not have the power to force the airline to pay. As a last resort, you can take the airline to small claims court.

You are unlikely to be entitled to fixed-sum compensation. Air traffic control failures are classed as extraordinary circumstances, which means the standard £220–£520 payments do not apply. However, your airline must still offer you a full refund or an alternative flight, and must provide care and assistance while you wait – including food, drink and accommodation if you are delayed overnight. If your flight was delayed by more than five hours, you also have the right to abandon your journey and claim a full refund. Keep all receipts for any costs you incur while waiting.

Yes. If your flight is delayed by more than five hours and you decide not to travel, your airline must give you a full refund for the unused parts of your ticket. You can also ask for a flight back to your original departure point if you have already completed part of your journey. This right applies regardless of the reason for the delay, including extraordinary circumstances where compensation is not payable.

You need to claim directly through Ryanair using their online compensation and expenses claim form. You will need your booking reference and flight details. If Ryanair rejects your claim and you do not agree with their decision, you can escalate your complaint to their ADR scheme. Ryanair is a member of an alternative dispute resolution scheme and must tell you which one to contact.

Yes, as long as you checked in on time and were removed from the flight without your consent due to overbooking. The amount you can claim follows the same scale as cancellations, between £110 and £520 per person depending on your flight length and how late your alternative flight arrived. You will not be entitled to compensation if you were denied boarding for health, safety, security or documentation reasons.