What are Air Passenger Rights?
It is simple. Up to £520 compensation per passenger for any of the below reasons. Unsure if you can claim? You lose nothing by trying.
If your flight was:
- delayed by more than 3 hours
- your flight was cancelled
- you were denied boarding
- you missed a connection due to a delay or cancellation
- your flight was diverted then you are entitled to claim
Air passenger rights are designed to protect travellers and ensure compensation in cases of flight disruptions caused by airlines. While the specifics of these laws can vary by country, they are widespread both domestically and internationally, covering regions like the UK, Europe, and beyond. Essentially, anyone flying has legal rights that safeguard them in the event of issues with their flight. However, many passengers are unaware of these rights or even that they exist. In fact, studies show that 85% of air travellers globally are not familiar with the protections available to them.
Passenger rights typically address common disruptions such as flight delays, cancellations, overbooking, and luggage issues. Before we explore the rights and compensation in detail, it's important to first understand which flights are covered by these regulations.
The UK 261 Regulation, introduced after Brexit, closely mirrors the EU 261 Regulation. It ensures that passengers traveling to or from the UK have rights similar to those previously provided under EU law. The following flights are covered:
| Itinerary | UK or EU Air Carrier | Non-UK or EU Air Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| From inside the UK or EU to inside the UK or EU | Covered | Covered |
| From inside the UK or EU to outside the UK or EU | Covered | Covered |
| From outside the UK or EU to inside the UK or EU | Covered | Not Covered |
| From outside the UK or EU to outside the UK or EU | Not Covered | Not Covered |
Passenger Rights for Flight Delays
- Compensation for Delays: If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours upon arrival, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Compensation Amount: The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay and the flight distance.
- Assistance for Longer Delays: For delays of more than 2 hours, passengers are entitled to meals, refreshments, and communication facilities (e.g., phone calls, emails).
Amounts of compensation you could get:
Less than 3 hours
3 – 4 hours
More than 4 hours
Never arrived
Distance
❌ £ –
£220
£220
£220
All flights 1,500 km or less
❌ £ –
£350
£350
£350
Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
❌ £ –
£350
£350
£350
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
❌ £ –
£260
£520
£520
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km
| Less than 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ❌ £ – | £220 | £220 | £220 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| ❌ £ – | £350 | £350 | £350 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| ❌ £ – | £350 | £350 | £350 | Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km |
| ❌ £ – | £260 | £520 | £520 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
For delays of over 5 hours: Passengers can choose to receive a full refund of their ticket price, instead of continuing with the journey. In addition to the refund for the ticket:
- Full refund for any other unused flights with the airline from the same booking.
- If there are connecting flights, the airline must also provide a return flight to the point of departure.
If the delay is not caused by extraordinary circumstances and the passenger continues with their flight, passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 (or £520 in the UK). This amount applies to each passenger, so if you're traveling with family or a group, each individual can claim compensation.
Passenger Rights for Cancellations
Passengers have the right to compensation if their flight is cancelled, with certain exceptions and conditions. Key points include:
- Right to Compensation: If your flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation, unless you are notified at least 14 days before the scheduled departure or are offered an alternative flight close to the original schedule.
- Compensation Amounts: The compensation depends on the flight distance and the timing of the alternative flight offered.
- Right to Refund or Rerouting: You are entitled to a full refund or an alternative flight. Additionally, airlines must provide assistance, such as meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary.
Alternative Flights and Disruptions
If you accept an alternative flight due to a cancellation, and that flight experiences further disruptions or delays, you may still be eligible for compensation, based on the following criteria:
- Between 7- and 13-days’ notice: The alternative flight must depart no more than 2 hours earlier and arrive with a delay of less than 4 hours compared to the original flight.
- Less than 7 days' notice: The alternative flight must depart no more than 1 hour earlier and arrive with a delay of less than 2 hours compared to the original flight.
The compensation that passengers are eligible to receive for the cancelled flight is as follows:
| Under 2 hours | 2 - 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £110 | £220 | £220 | £220 | £220 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| £175 | £175 | £350 | £350 | £350 | Flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km |
| £260 | £260 | £260 | £520 | £520 | Flights over 3,500 km |
Extraordinary Circumstances
Situations Not Covered by Passenger Rights Compensation
The following scenarios are considered extraordinary circumstances, meaning airlines are not obligated to provide compensation for disruptions caused by these events:
- Strikes by Airport Staff or Air Traffic Control Disruptions resulting from strikes involving airport employees or air traffic controllers are beyond the airline's control, and therefore, the airline cannot be held responsible.
- Political Instability: Events such as protests, civil unrest, or government actions may lead to flight delays or cancellations. These situations are classified as extraordinary circumstances, relieving airlines of compensation obligations.
- Severe Weather Conditions: Adverse weather, including snowstorms, thunderstorms, hurricanes, or heavy fog, can significantly disrupt flight schedules. Since airlines cannot influence the weather, passengers are not entitled to compensation for such delays or cancellations.
- Security Threats: Threats to safety, such as bomb scares, terrorist alerts, or other security concerns, may necessitate changes to flight operations. In these cases, airlines are not liable for compensating passengers.
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