Free tool

Flight Delay Compensation Checker

Delayed or cancelled flight? Under UK261 and EU261 rules you may be owed a fixed amount — but airlines rarely volunteer it, and claims firms take a cut you don't need to give away. Answer four quick questions to see where you stand.

UK261 applies to flights departing the UK and to UK/EU airlines arriving in the UK; EU261 is the equivalent for the EU. Pick whichever fits your route.

1. Was your flight covered? (departing the UK/EU, or arriving in the UK/EU on a UK/EU airline)
2. How late did you arrive at your final destination?
3. How far was the flight? (one-way distance)
4. What caused the delay?
Your answers stay on your device — nothing is sent to us.
This checker applies the published rules of UK261/EU261 to the answers you give. It's general guidance, not a legal ruling or a guarantee of payment, and the set amounts can be updated — always confirm the current figures and your specific circumstances. Eligibility ultimately depends on the airline and, if needed, the relevant regulator or dispute scheme.

How flight-delay compensation works

UK261 and EU261 are passenger-rights rules. If a covered flight arrives at your final destination three or more hours late, or is cancelled at short notice, and the cause was within the airline's control, you may be entitled to a fixed cash amount based on the flight distance — separate from any refund. The amount is set by the regulation, not by the airline.

Two things that catch people out

  • "Extraordinary circumstances". If the delay was genuinely outside the airline's control — severe weather, strikes, air-traffic-control restrictions, security issues — compensation usually isn't due, though you're still entitled to care and, for cancellations, a refund or re-routing.
  • It's the arrival delay that counts. A flight that leaves late but makes up time may not qualify; what matters is how late you reach your final destination.

How to claim — for free

You don't need a claims company. Contact the airline directly, quote the regulation, and include your booking reference and flight details. If they reject a valid claim, you can escalate to the relevant alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme or aviation regulator at no cost. Keep it all — claims firms typically take a sizeable percentage for doing exactly this.

Before you fly, protect the trip too. Good travel insurance can cover knock-on costs a delay causes, like a missed connection or pre-booked nights. Our sister site Traveliase explains what to look for.