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PASSENGER RIGHTS GUIDE / UNITED KINGDOM · UK261

Your rights when flights change in the UK.

Understand delays, cancellations, rebooking and possible compensation under the UK passenger-rights framework.

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What the rules address

UK261 protection commonly applies to flights departing the UK and to certain inbound flights operated by eligible UK/EU carriers. Exact coverage, ticket details and notice dates matter. UK rules include care, refund or rerouting obligations and possible fixed compensation.

Delay and cancellation

For certain covered arrival delays of three hours or more, fixed compensation tiers may be £220, £350 or £520 according to distance, sometimes reduced for long-haul delays under four hours. External extraordinary circumstances may exclude compensation while assistance duties continue.

Baggage and missed connections

Delayed and lost bags are typically handled under different liability frameworks and airline claim procedures. Missing connections require examining all bookings and flight segments before estimating entitlements.

What to do first

  1. Save your booking confirmation, boarding pass, receipts and messages from the airline.
  2. Record actual arrival time, the incident category and any written explanation.
  3. Request assistance or a refund/reroute through the operating airline.
  4. Check official regulator guidance before submitting any compensation claim.

Delayed, cancelled or missed your connection?

When travel plans change, contact the operating airline first and ask about the next available flight, refund or support. Keep all notifications and receipts. Your route and circumstances matter more than a headline about compensation alone.

My flight has a problem

Get an immediate step-by-step checklist.

Cancellation or refund help

Understand the practical options to discuss with your airline.

Check your flight situation

Enter your departure and arrival airports, airline and delay details to see which rights may apply.

CHECK MY FLIGHT RIGHTS

Questions about UNITED KINGDOM · UK261 passenger rights

Can I get compensation when my flight is delayed?

Possible compensation depends on the UK rules that apply to your flight, actual arrival delay, operating airline and the reason for the disruption. There is no universal payout for every delay.

What should I keep after a cancelled flight?

Keep the booking confirmation, cancellation message, boarding pass, receipts, replacement travel details and any written explanation the airline provides.

Do I need to contact the airline first?

Usually the operating airline is the first contact for rebooking, refunds, care or a claim. Use the relevant regulator if you need to escalate a formal complaint.

Does a missed connection count as a delay?

The answer depends on whether the flights were on one booking, the final destination delay, the operating airline and the rules applying to the itinerary.