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How Many Hours Do You Need To Be Delayed To Claim Flight Compensation?

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Under EU Regulation 261, you’ll be eligible to claim compensation if your flight is delayed three hours or more than the originally scheduled arrival time, and the delay is the airline’s responsibility and not an extraordinary circumstance.

The legal definition of arrival time is when the first aircraft door has been opened.

Compensation amounts are based on how much later you arrived than the scheduled arrival time at your destination, not how late you took off. For example –

You can’t claim compensation if your flight departed 4 hours late but arrived 2 hours and 45 minutes late. No compensation is due as you arrived in less than three hours less than you were originally scheduled.

You could claim compensation if your flight departed 4 hours late and arrived 3 hours and 45 minutes late. Compensation is due as you arrived three hours later than originally scheduled.

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How Long Does A Flight Have To Be Delayed To Claim?

You are legally entitled to claim for a flight delay if your flight arrives more than three hours late, and the delay was the airline’s responsibility.

The official delay time can be recorded once one of the cabin doors has been opened, not when you land or taxiing to the terminal.

Flight Delay Compensation Amounts in UK Pounds

Flight Distance Less than 3 hours 3 hours or more More than 4 hours Never arrived
All flights 1,500km or
less

£0

£220

£220

£220

Internal EU flights over 1,500km

£0

£350

£350

£350

Non-internal EU flights between 1,500km and 3,500km

£0

£350

£350

£350

Internal EU flights over 1,500km

£0

£260

£520

£520

However, it is not always straightforward, as depending on whether you were delayed, your flight was cancelled, or if you were delayed on a replacement flight after a cancellation, your rights to claim compensation and the amount you may be due may change.

The simplest way to see if you can claim compensation for your flight delay is to add your flight number and the date you flew to our flight delay compensation calculator. We’ll instantly check your flight and let you know how much you may be eligible to claim.

Below, we look at your legal rights to claim compensation based on the circumstances of your flight and how long you were delayed.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 1 Hour?

You would not be able to claim compensation if you were delayed by 1 hour. The minimum length of time needed before you would be eligible to claim is 3 hours.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 2 Hours?

Compensation under EU Reg 261 does not cover delays of 2 hours or less, so you would not be entitled to claim compensation.

However, depending on the length of your journey, the airline is responsible for providing care and assistance during your delay.

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"Easy process with lots of email updates Very straightforward process for a flight delay complaint. I was sent lots of communication about the process and received my compensation money at the end. Have recommended to others. Thanks."

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Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 3 Hours?

Yes, if you arrived at your destination 3 hours later than originally scheduled, and the airline was responsible, you would be eligible to claim compensation.

You can claim £220 for short-haul flights up to 1500km and £350 for flights between 1500km and 3500km. You can claim £260 for long-haul flights over 3500 km with a delay between 3 and 4 hours.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 4 Hours?

Yes, you can claim compensation for a 4 hour delay if the cause of the delay was not an extraordinary circumstance. If your flight was more than 3500km, you can receive compensation of £520 for a 4 hour flight delay.

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Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 5 Hours?

Yes, you can. Your rights under EU261 expand as the regulation classifies flight delays of 5 hours or more as the same as a flight cancellation. In this instance, you have the right to get a full refund on the price of your airline ticket.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 6 Hours?

For extended flight delays such as 6 hours or more, your rights under EU261 cover you to claim compensation and entitlement to a flight refund.

The same rules would apply for delays over 6 hours, including delays over 24 hours.

Recent Successful Flight Compensation Claims

My Flight Was Cancelled And My Replacement Flight Is Not On Schedule, Can I Claim Compensation?

If your flight is cancelled, the airline is responsible for providing either a refund on your flight or a replacement flight. However, if your replacement flight departs earlier than expected or arrives later than your originally scheduled flight, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

Flight Cancellation Compensation Amounts – (Flights Cancelled Less Than 7 Days Before Departure)

Flight Distance Times Of Alternative Flight vs Original Compensation Amount
Up to 1,500km Replacement flight departs more than 1 hour early

£110

Up to 1,500km Replacement flight arrives more than 2 hours late

£220

1,500km to 3,500km Replacement flight departs more than 1 hour early

£175

1,500km to 3,500km Replacement flight arrives 2-3 hours late

£175

1,500km to 3,500km Replacement flight arrives more than 3 hours late.

£350

Over 3,500km Replacement flight departs more than 1 hour early

£260

Over 3,500km Replacement flight arrives 2-4 hours late

£260

Over 3,500km Replacement flight arrives more than 4 hours late

£520

How Do I Know If My Flight Is Eligible For Flight Compensation?

EUReg261 protects airline passengers whose flights departed from or arrived at a UK or EU airport on a UK or EU airline. You can claim for delayed flights that departed in the last six years.

Under UK law, you will be able to make a claim for EU261 compensation if your flight:

  • Departed from the UK
  • Arrived in the UK on a UK or EU airline
  • Arrived in the EU on a UK airline

Delayed Flights Covered By EUReg 261

Departing From Arriving To Can I Claim?
Airport inside UK/ EU Airport inside UK/EU

Yes (Claimable for any airline)

Airport inside UK/ EU Airport outside UK/EU

Yes (Claimable for any airline)

Airport outside UK/EU Airport inside UK/EU

Yes (If on an EU based airline)

Airport outside UK/EU Airport outside UK/EU

No

When You Are At The Airport, You Have A Right To Care and Assistance

Article 9 of EU Reg 261 states that airlines must provide passengers with a level of “care and assistance” if their flight is delayed beyond a certain number of hours.

Airline passengers are eligible for “care and assistance” if their flight is delayed at least 2 hours (for flights under 1,500km), delayed at least 3 hours (for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km), or at least 4 hours for flights over 3,500km.

Care and Assistance – Your Rights When Your Flight Is Delayed

Flight Distance Length of Delay
Up to 1,500km

After 2 hours

1,500km-3,500km

After 3 hours

Over 1,500km and between two EU States

After 3 hour

Over 3,500km

After 4 hours

Regardless of the reason for the delay, the airline must provide passengers with:

  • Food and drink in reasonable relation to waiting time
  • Free hotel accommodation when a stay of one night or more is necessary
  • Free transport between the airport and the hotel
  • Two free telephone calls, emails, telex or fax messages

The airline should cover all these costs during the delay as part of their ‘care and assistance’ obligations. However, we see cases where passengers have had to use their money to buy food and drink or get taxis to and from the airports.

This right applies to delays, even if caused by what the regulation calls an ‘extraordinary circumstance’.

What Is The Time Limit For Claiming Flight Compensation?

In the UK, you can claim for eligible flights that departed in the last six years. In Scotland, you have five years from the departure date to start your claim.

Bott and Co. proved this time limit at the Supreme Court in 2014, representing passenger James Dawson vs. Thomson. Following several appeals, Judges agreed with Bott and Co. that consumers have six years rather than two to bring a flight claim, as Thomson argued.

Meet Our Solicitors

Coby Benson

Coby Benson Head Of Flight Compensation Team At Bott and Co

A member of The Law Society and a SRA Registered Solicitor, Coby has been instrumental in establishing flight delay compensation law in the UK, including playing a significant part in the landmark cases of Huzar v Jet2 and Dawson v Thomson at The Supreme Court.

Coby is regularly asked for comment in the national media, regularly featuring in The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian and The Independent as well as appearing on BBC Television, Sky News, ITV and BBC Radio 4 and Radio Five Live.