You’re stuck at Heathrow. The flight to Madrid is “delayed due to aircraft rotation.” The only free seat is next to the bin by Gate A10, and your “meal voucher” buys you three grapes and a whisper of tap water.
But don’t panic. Don’t even fume. Because this inconvenience might be worth up to £520, thanks to a glorious bit of legislation called UK261 (née EC261).
Let’s dive in with sass, facts, and zero tolerance for airline waffle.
In This Post
What is UK261? And is it the Same as EC261?
Yes, essentially.
- EC261 is the original EU law that says airlines must compensate you when things go wrong (late, cancelled, overbooked, downgraded).
- UK261 is the post-Brexit British remix. Same tune, new passport.
If you’re flying with British Airways, it’s UK261 you’re dealing with, but everything works more or less the same. Think of it as the Greggs version of a French croissant. Same shape, more local flavour.
When Can You Claim?
To trigger UK261 or EC261 compensation, you need:
- A delay of 3+ hours at your final destination
- A cancellation within 14 days of departure
- To be denied boarding against your will
- To be downgraded from your booked cabin
And crucially: the delay must be the airline’s fault, not some freak storm, ATC meltdown, or bird with a vendetta.
How Much Can You Get? (Show Me the Money)
Here’s what BA could owe you depending on the length of the flight and how badly they messed up:
| Flight Distance | Delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | 3+ hrs | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | 3+ hrs | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | 3–4 hrs | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4+ hrs | £520 |
WingTips Translation:
- London to Rome delayed by 3 hours? That’s £220 in your account.
- Heathrow to JFK lands 4 hours late? Grab your £520.
- BA cancels your flight 7 days before departure and rebooks you on one 6 hours later? You’re eligible.
What Counts as “Extraordinary Circumstances”?
Ah, yes, BA’s favourite excuse.
“Extraordinary circumstances” = not their fault. Think:
- Weather
- Security risks
- Political instability
- Air traffic control strikes
- Bird strikes (yes, really)
But not things like:
- Aircraft going tech
- Crew shortages
- Maintenance delays
- Late incoming flights
If it’s internal, it’s compensable. If it’s a goose with attitude, it’s not.
What If You’re Connecting Flights or Flying BA + Someone Else?
Here’s the golden rule: if British Airways issued the ticket, UK261 applies to the whole journey.
So if you booked Newcastle – Heathrow – Dubai, and Heathrow–Dubai is delayed, but the whole ticket is on BA stock, you can claim. Even if a partner airline operates one leg.
It’s all about who issued the booking, not who flew the plane.
Downgraded or Denied Boarding? You’ve Got Rights Too
If BA bumps you down a cabin (e.g. Club World to Euro Traveller ouch), you’re entitled to a partial refund:
- 30% for short-haul
- 50% for mid-haul
- 75% for long-haul
Denied boarding involuntarily? That’s the same compensation table as delays. Don’t let them bribe you with a biscuit and some Avios.
Does It Work for Baggage?
Nope. That’s covered by a totally different law, the Montreal Convention. You can claim for damaged or delayed luggage (usually up to around £1,000), but it’s separate from UK261.
How to Claim Your BA Compensation
Step-by-step, like a queue at Terminal 5:
- Document everything:
- Boarding pass, screenshots, proof of delay, meal receipts, your broken spirit — all of it.
- Submit your claim directly to BA:
- Use their compensation form.
- Don’t like their answer? Escalate.
- You can go to:
- Deadline to claim?
- 6 years in England & Wales
- 5 years in Scotland
No rush, but also, don’t wait for the next Jubilee.
What About Overnight Delays?
If you’re stuck overnight, BA must provide:
- A hotel
- Transfers
- Meals
If they don’t, book your own, keep receipts, and reclaim. Don’t be shy about grabbing a decent hotel, you’re not sleeping in Costa.
Claiming for Others? Yes, You Can
If you booked a ticket for your partner, kids, or grandma, and it’s all on the same booking, you can claim for them too. No need for matching surnames. Just have their flight details and consent.
FAQ Corner (Because BA’s Help Pages Are Useless)
Q: Do I get Avios or cash?
A: You’re entitled to cash. Don’t accept Avios unless you’re AvGeek-rich and cash-poor.
Q: BA offered me £260, but I think I’m owed £520. Should I accept?
A: Nope. If you’re delayed over 4 hours on a long-haul flight, it’s £520. Don’t settle for low.
Q: My flight was operated by Iberia but booked through BA. Can I still claim?
A: If BA sold the ticket, yes. They’re on the hook.
Q: I missed my connection because BA was late. Can I claim?
A: If it were all one booking, absolutely.
Final WingTips Wisdom: Delay Now, Payday Later
If your BA flight was delayed, cancelled, downgraded or denied, you might be owed serious cash.
Don’t let BA fob you off with vague excuses or 20%-off eVouchers. Use this guide, cite UK261, and chase it like a heat-seeking Avios missile.
Polite but firm gets results. And receipts are your boarding pass to justice.
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1 comment
A useful and accurate article as fat
R as it goes…
But
Ba employ a variety of dirty tricks to frustrate valid claims inc non response, closing claims with no notifications and worst of all simply lying and claiming exceptional circumstances
If this happens to you then CEDR rule in favour of the customer in over 80% of cases against BA… JUST AMONG THE most determined BA were made to repay well in excess of £5 million in 2024 that they’d attempted to defraud customers of…
Source: CAA ADR outcome stats.
The simplest answer is that BA are best avoided if you want what you pay for or honesty after the fact.