Flight delay compensation calculator
Pick your airports and enter how late you landed. You’ll see whether you’re owed compensation under UK law and how much, per passenger.
- UK261 amounts published by the Civil Aviation Authority
- Figures checked 25 October 2026
- You’ll need your booking (airports and airline) and the actual arrival time
Your result
Choose your airports.
UK261 compensation amounts
| Flight distance | Arrived 3–4 hours late | Arrived 4+ hours late |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500km | £220 | £220 |
| 1,500 to 3,500km | £350 | £350 |
| Over 3,500km | £260 | £520 |
UK261 is the version of the EU’s flight compensation rules that the UK kept after Brexit, with the amounts set in pounds. Distance is measured as the crow flies from your first departure airport to your final destination, even if you changed planes.
Whatever the cause, a long delay also entitles you to care: food and drink, a way to make two calls or send two emails, and a hotel with transport if you’re stuck overnight. Keep receipts for reasonable costs.
Worked examples
Manchester to Tenerife South is about 3,048km. Landing 3 hours 15 minutes late means £350 each, so a family of four could claim £1400.
Heathrow to New York JFK is about 5,540km. Landing 3 hours 30 minutes late gives £260. Half an hour later and it would be £520.
How to claim
- Claim directly with the airline using its online form. It’s free.
- If the airline refuses or doesn’t reply within 8 weeks, use the ADR scheme it belongs to, or the CAA if it isn’t in one.
- Claims firms charge a cut of your compensation. You don’t need one.
Questions people ask
How much compensation do I get for a delayed flight?
Under UK261, if you arrive more than 3 hours late: £220 for flights up to 1,500km, £350 for 1,500 to 3,500km, and £520 for longer flights. On flights over 3,500km, arriving 3 to 4 hours late gets £260.
Which flights are covered by UK261?
Flights leaving a UK airport on any airline, and flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline. A flight into the UK on, say, a US or Gulf airline isn’t covered.
Is the delay measured at take-off or landing?
Landing. More precisely, when at least one aircraft door opens at your final destination. A late arrival at a connecting airport doesn’t count if you still reach your destination less than 3 hours late.
What are extraordinary circumstances?
Events the airline couldn’t have avoided, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security risks. If they caused the delay, the airline doesn’t have to pay compensation, though it still owes you care such as food and drink.
Is compensation per person?
Yes. Each passenger, including children with their own seat, can claim the full amount.