What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
We look at the different circumstances that affect you if you're due a refund for cancelled or delayed flights.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
UK travelers are heading out for summer vacations in large numbers, but some may encounter flight disruptions. When a flight is cancelled or delayed, passengers have several rights, primarily the right to a refund. However, these rights can differ based on the airline and the departure location. Extra compensation is only available when the airline is at fault. Here’s what you need to know.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines operating in the UK and EU, as well as other carriers departing from UK or EU airports, are obligated to assist passengers. This includes providing meals and accommodation if necessary, and arranging alternative transportation to your destination at no additional cost.
If you incur extra expenses, such as for unused accommodation, you may need to file a claim with your credit card provider if that was your payment method. Following that, you might have to approach your travel insurance provider, but coverage can vary widely, so it’s essential to review your policy details closely.
Passengers are also encouraged to follow travel advice from the UK government, as this can impact travel insurance rights. If your flight falls under UK law, your airline must allow you to choose between a refund or being rebooked on an alternative flight, regardless of how far in advance the cancellation occurs. You can receive a refund for any unused portion of your ticket. For instance, if your outbound flight is cancelled, you can get a full refund for the return ticket.
If you still wish to travel, the airline is required to find you an alternative flight. If another airline has a significantly earlier flight to your destination or if other transport options are available, you have the right to be booked on that alternative transport. However, the ongoing disruption due to the Iran conflict may limit immediate seat availability.
If your flight is arriving in the UK on a non-UK or EU airline, it’s important to check the terms and conditions of your booking. If you find yourself stranded abroad or at the airport due to a flight cancellation, airlines governed by UK regulations must also provide additional assistance, which includes:
- A reasonable amount of food and drink (often provided as vouchers)
- Means to communicate (often by reimbursing call costs)
- Free accommodation if you need to stay overnight for a flight the next day
- Transportation to and from the accommodation
If your airline cannot arrange this assistance, you have the right to make your own arrangements and claim the costs back later. The Civil Aviation Authority recommends keeping receipts and avoiding unnecessary expenses.
You are entitled to the same assistance for delays as you would for cancellations if your flight is delayed by more than two hours for short-haul flights, three hours for medium-haul, or four hours for long-haul flights. If your delay exceeds five hours and you no longer wish to travel, you can request a full refund.
If you booked a package holiday with an ABTA member and your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a suitable alternative flight or a full refund. Disruptions caused by factors such as conflict, severe weather, strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, or other "extraordinary circumstances" do not qualify for additional compensation. However, if the disruption is due to the airline's fault, you have several rights under UK law.
These rights apply as long as you are flying from a UK airport on any airline, arriving at a UK airport on a UK or EU airline, or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline. Your entitlements depend on the cause of the cancellation and the notice period provided. If your flight is cancelled with less than two weeks' notice, you may be eligible for compensation based on the timing of the alternative flight offered.
The compensation amounts are as follows:
- For flights under 1,500 km, such as Glasgow to Amsterdam, you can claim up to £220 per person.
- For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, such as East Midlands to Marrakesh, you can claim up to £350 per person.
- For flights over 3,500 km, such as London to New York, you can claim up to £520 per person.
Airlines will not reimburse you for lost earnings, and travel insurance policies typically do not cover loss of income either. If you anticipate being late returning to work due to flight delays, it is your responsibility to inform your employer, according to legal experts. You should discuss with your employer how to handle your absence, such as using annual leave or taking unpaid leave. Employers are not legally required to pay employees who are absent in this situation unless specified in their contract.
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