Flight Cancellation Compensation UK
Was your flight cancelled? You could be entitled to up to £520 compensation plus a full refund under UK and EU law.
Check If You Can ClaimYour Rights When a Flight Is Cancelled
When an airline cancels your flight, you have multiple rights under EU261 and UK261 regulations. Understanding these rights ensures you don't miss out on what you're owed.
Refund or Rebooking
Choose between a full refund or an alternative flight to your destination.
Compensation
Up to £520 per person if notified within 14 days of departure.
Care & Assistance
Meals, refreshments, hotel if needed, and transport while you wait.
The 14-Day Rule Explained
The amount of compensation you're entitled to depends on when the airline notified you of the cancellation and what alternative they offered.
More than 14 days notice
No compensation is required, but you must be offered a full refund or rebooking.
7-14 days notice
Compensation may be reduced or waived if the alternative flight departs within 2 hours of original and arrives within 4 hours of original arrival time.
Less than 7 days notice
Full compensation is due unless the alternative flight departs within 1 hour of original and arrives within 2 hours of original arrival time.
At the airport
Full compensation is almost always due when you find out about the cancellation at the airport.
Cancellation Compensation Amounts
Just like delay compensation, cancellation compensation is based on your flight distance.
Compensation amounts are set by EU261 and UK261 regulations. Each passenger can claim individually.
Refund or Rebooking: Your Choice
When your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you a choice. You decide what works best for your situation.
Option 1: Full Refund
- Full refund within 7 days
- Includes all parts of the journey not made
- Plus return to departure point if mid-journey
- Cash refund (not vouchers) is your right
Option 2: Alternative Flight
- Rebooking to your destination
- At the earliest opportunity
- Or at a later date of your choosing
- Under comparable conditions
Care and Assistance Rights
While waiting for your alternative flight, the airline must provide care and assistance free of charge.
Meals & Drinks
Refreshments proportionate to the waiting time
Communication
Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
Hotel Stay
If an overnight stay is necessary
Transport
To and from the hotel
Extraordinary Circumstances
Airlines don't have to pay compensation if the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances. However, they must still offer you a refund or rebooking, plus care and assistance.
Common examples of extraordinary circumstances include:
- • Severe weather conditions
- • Air traffic control restrictions
- • Security risks
- • Political instability
- • Airport closures
- • Unexpected safety issues discovered during checks
Important: Airlines often incorrectly claim extraordinary circumstances. Technical faults and crew issues are generally NOT extraordinary circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cancellations
Was Your Flight Cancelled?
Check your eligibility in under 2 minutes and find out how much compensation you could claim.
Check Your Eligibility Now