The five checks
- Route: UK261 must cover the flight.
- Operating airline: this can determine coverage for inbound flights.
- Final arrival: normally at least three hours late.
- Distance: this sets the compensation band.
- Cause: extraordinary circumstances can remove fixed compensation.
Current compensation bands
| Distance | Arrival delay | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 3+ hours | £220 |
| Over 1,500 km to 3,500 km | 3+ hours | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | 3 hours to under 4 hours | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 hours or more | £520 |
What counts as extraordinary?
The CAA lists examples such as unsafe weather, unrelated airport or air-traffic-control strikes, terrorism, security risks, political unrest and hidden manufacturing defects. A routine technical problem is not automatically extraordinary. Every case still depends on its facts and whether the airline took reasonable measures.
Ask the airline to name the precise event, explain how it affected your flight and state what
reasonable measures it took. “Operational reasons” alone is not a useful explanation.
Care rights start earlier
Depending on distance, food, drink and communication rights can begin after two, three or four hours of waiting. If an overnight stay is needed, accommodation and transport may be due. Keep itemised receipts and spend reasonably if the airline does not provide care.