UK261 decision tree

UK261 is the UK's retained version of Regulation 261/2004. It works like EU261 but pays in pounds and has its own scope. The CAA is the UK regulator.

1. 1Did your flight depart from a UK airport?

   YesCovered, whatever the airline. Go to step 4.

   NoGo to step 2.

2. 2Did you fly into the UK on a UK airline, or on an airline licensed in an EU country?

   YesCovered. Go to step 4.

   NoGo to step 3. Airlines licensed in Switzerland, Norway or Iceland (for example Swiss or easyJet Switzerland) do not count here, because they are not EU "Community carriers" (UK261 Art 2(c)).

3. 3Did you fly from outside the UK and EU into the EU on a UK airline (for example British Airways, New York to Paris)?

   YesCovered by UK261. Go to step 4.

   NoUK261 does not apply. Check EU261 or APPR.

4. 4Were you bumped (denied boarding) against your will, with valid documents and on time for check-in?

   YesCompensation is due, whatever the airline's reason: extraordinary circumstances do not excuse bumping. See the amounts below.

   NoGo to step 5.

5. 5Was your flight cancelled?

   YesTold at least 14 days before departure: no compensation. Told 7 to 13 days before: none if the replacement left no more than 2h early and arrived less than 4h late. Told under 7 days before: none if it left no more than 1h early and arrived less than 2h late (Art 5(1)(c)). Otherwise go to step 7.

   NoGo to step 6.

6. 6Did you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late?

   YesGo to step 7.

   NoNo compensation. You may still be owed care: meals if your departure was delayed by 2 hours or more (1,500 km or less), 3 hours or more (over 1,500 km up to 3,500 km) or 4 hours or more (longer flights), and a hotel if you had to stay overnight (Art 6(1), Art 9).

7. 7Did extraordinary circumstances cause the delay or cancellation (weather, air traffic control, an airport or ATC staff strike)?

   YesNo compensation, but the airline must show it. Ask for the reason in writing.

   NoCompensation is due. See the amounts below.

Amounts per passenger (CAA)

Scroll sideways to see the whole table.

Since 14 December 2023, UK261 Art 6(3) says a delay of "three hours or more" (inserted by SI 2023/1370), so arriving exactly 3 hours late counts. A long-haul delay of exactly 4 hours is in the reduced £260 band (Art 7(2)(c): "does not exceed ... four hours").

Deadline and escalation

You can bring a court claim within 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 5 years in Scotland (CAA; Dawson v Thomson Airways [2014] EWCA Civ 845). If the airline refuses or does not reply within 8 weeks, you can go to its approved ADR scheme (AviationADR or CEDR), or the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team if it has none. Apply to ADR within 12 months of the airline's final response.

Last updated: 2026-10-16