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How to claim UK flight compensation directly

A clean evidence pack and a precise request usually matter more than a long legal letter.

1. Confirm the operating airline

The operating airline handles the UK261 claim, which may differ from the company that sold the ticket or displayed its flight number.

2. Build a single evidence folder

  • Booking confirmation and boarding pass.
  • Original itinerary and final arrival time.
  • Airline emails, texts, app screenshots and airport notices.
  • Receipts for reasonable meals, accommodation and transport.
  • Names of every passenger you are authorised to claim for.

3. Use the airline's official form

State the flight number, date, route, scheduled and actual final arrival, disruption type and the amount requested. Ask for the exact cause if it has not been supplied. Keep the case reference and a copy of everything submitted.

Suggested opening: “I am claiming under UK Regulation (EU) No 261/2004 for flight [number] on [date]. I reached my final destination [time] late. Please pay £[amount] per eligible passenger or provide the precise factual and legal basis for refusing the claim.”

4. Keep compensation and expenses separate

Fixed compensation addresses inconvenience. Reasonable care expenses cover actual costs such as meals, hotels and ground transport when the airline should have provided them. Submit itemised receipts and avoid consequential losses the scheme does not cover.

5. Escalate in the right order

  1. Give the airline an opportunity to resolve the complaint.
  2. Use its approved ADR provider when available.
  3. If it has no ADR agreement, check the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team route.
  4. Consider legal action only after understanding cost, limitation and evidence risks.

The CAA says ADR can normally be used after a final response or eight weeks without a response. Current procedural rules should be checked when you escalate.