Flight Delay Compensation Calculator UK 2026
Instantly check your eligibility for UK261 and EU261 flight delay compensation. Find out if you are owed up to £520 for delayed flights under UK air passenger rights.
Compensation Check
Enter your flight details to calculate your UK261/EU261 payout
Select the distance bracket that matches your flight route.
Enter how many hours late you arrived at your final destination.
Extraordinary circumstances are events beyond the airline’s control.
Your Compensation Estimate
UK261 / EU261 payout calculation per passenger
Enter your flight details above and click Check Compensation to reveal your estimated UK261 payout.
UK261 Compensation Amounts
Quickly reference the fixed compensation amounts you are entitled to under UK air passenger rights based on your flight distance and delay time.
| Flight Distance | Minimum Delay | Compensation (UK261) | Example Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 3 hours | £220 | London (LHR) to Edinburgh (EDI) |
| 1,500 km – 3,500 km | 3 hours | £350 | London (LHR) to Rome (FCO) |
| Over 3,500 km (3-4h delay) | 3 hours | £260 | London (LHR) to Dubai (DXB) |
| Over 3,500 km (4h+ delay) | 4 hours | £520 | London (LHR) to New York (JFK) |
Flight Delay Compensation FAQ
Everything you need to know about claiming flight delay compensation under UK261 and EU261 regulations, understanding your air passenger rights, and calculating your payout.
Under UK261 regulations, you can claim up to £520 per passenger depending on the flight distance and the length of the delay. Short flights under 1,500km owe £220, medium flights up to 3,500km owe £350, and long flights over 3,500km owe £260 or £520 depending on whether the delay is under or over 4 hours.
To be eligible for fixed compensation, your flight must arrive at its final destination at least 3 hours later than the scheduled arrival time. The delay is calculated based on when the plane lands and opens its doors, not when it departs the gate.
Extraordinary circumstances are events beyond the airline’s control that exempt them from paying compensation. These include severe weather, political instability, security risks, air traffic control strikes, or hidden manufacturing defects in the aircraft. Routine technical problems or crew shortages do not count.
In the UK, the time limit to claim flight delay compensation is generally 6 years from the date of the flight (5 years in Scotland). This means you can still claim for flights that were delayed several years ago, provided you have your boarding passes and flight details.
No. If your flight departs from a UK airport, you are covered by UK261 regardless of the airline’s nationality. If your flight arrives in the UK from outside the UK, it must be operated by a UK-registered airline to be covered by UK261 (otherwise EU261 might apply).
Yes, if your flights were booked under a single reservation and your initial delay caused you to miss a connecting flight, arriving at your final destination more than 3 hours late, you are eligible to claim. The compensation amount will be based on the total distance of your entire journey.