Rising Fuel Costs and Disruption: Which Airlines Pay Compensation Quickest and Slowest

Rising fuel costs and operational pressures are more likely to affect flights lately, and passengers are being told to know their rights when it comes to compensation for delays and cancellations.

New data from Bott and Co highlights significant differences in how quickly airlines pay out compensation. While some passengers receive their money in under two months, others can end up waiting most of a year.

It is also often the case that passengers will be told their delay is not claimable when they’ve approached the airline directly, only to then find out that it was, after expert analysis by legal representatives.

Average Time to Pay Compensation (2025)

Jet2.com is the fastest airline for compensation payouts, settling claims in an average of just 55 days, followed by Turkish Airlines (63 days) and Qatar Airways (94 days). TAP Air Portugal and easyJet also perform relatively well, paying within around three months on average.

At the other end of the scale, passengers flying with Wizz Air Hungary, British Airways, and Lufthansa face average waits of seven to nine months. The data highlights a stark contrast in service standards, showing that while some airlines process claims efficiently, others leave passengers waiting extended periods for money they are legally entitled to.

As we approach summer, airlines often fall short when it comes to things such as scheduling and staff rota management. It’s important for travellers to understand their rights and how to address any issues that arise, so they can get the support they’re entitled to if things don’t go as planned.

Although the data shows that some airlines take longer to pay up, passengers can avoid getting stuck waiting months by instructing legal representation such as Bott and Co, we work to ensure travellers receive everything they are entitled to as efficiently as possible, including taking cases to court on a no win, no fee basis when necessary.