If your flight was delayed or canceled this summer, you might be entitled to up to £520 in compensation, according to Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert (MSE).
What You Could Claim
MSE explains that passengers are legally entitled to refunds, replacement flights, and compensation if their flights are canceled by an airline under certain conditions.
- Flight delays: You may claim if your flight arrived more than three hours late.
- Cancellations: If your flight was canceled within 14 days of departure, the airline must either rebook you on another flight or issue a refund.
- Compensation cap: Travelers can receive up to £520 per person, depending on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay.
Rules and Regulations
The compensation rules apply to:
- Any UK or EU-regulated flights in the past six years (five years in Scotland).
- Flights departing from the UK or EU, or flights arriving in the UK/EU on a UK or EU airline.
✅ Covered Reasons:
- Crew shortages
- Technical faults
❌ Not Covered:
- Bad weather
- Air traffic control strikes
How Compensation Works
The timing of your replacement flight matters:
- If the replacement flight leaves earlier or lands later than scheduled, you may be owed money.
- Even if you don’t take the replacement flight, you may still qualify for compensation depending on the delay length.
MSE stresses: “Never pay to make a claim.” Airlines must handle this process directly without charging passengers.
Passenger Rights During Delays
According to Citizens Advice, if your delay is long enough, airlines must provide:
- Free food and drink
- Phone calls and emails
- Accommodation (if overnight delay occurs)
- Transport between the airport and hotel
📌 Key Takeaways
- Up to £520 per person can be claimed for delays and cancellations.
- Applies to flights in the UK/EU within the past six years (five in Scotland).
- Only valid if the disruption was the airline’s fault.
- Don’t pay third parties to make a claim—apply directly with your airline.
