Your complete guide to passenger rights

While the UK has good air passenger rights, when you fly internationally regulations and rights vary from country to country. We'll break down the key regulations for UK travellers.

Air passenger rights in the UK

Air passenger rights in the United Kingdom are primarily protected by UK passenger rights regulations commonly known as UK 261, which were adapted from EU law following Brexit.

UK 261 protects all passengers travelling on flights departing from the UK (regardless of airline) or on UK and EU airlines arriving in the United Kingdom. When airline disruptions occur – delays, cancelled flights, overbooking – air travellers' rights include:

• Monetary compensation, up to a maximum of £520

• Assistance at the airport (food, drink, and accommodation, if needed)

• Ticket refund or replacement flight

• Reimbursement of any expenses incurred as a result of the disruption.

Air travel within Europe is usually covered by EU Regulation 261, which essentially recognises the same rights as UK Regulation 261. When you travel beyond the EU and the UK, different passenger rights regulations may apply. Depending on your route, you might be covered by laws that require airlines to pay even thousands in compensation.

Think of passenger rights as rules that protect you when flying. Different countries have different rules, but they all have the same goal - making sure airlines look after you properly when things go wrong.

The problem is that many people are not aware of their passenger rights. In fact, globally 79% of air passengers do not know their rights.

Strong air passenger rights mean you can claim compensation for the inconvenience and stress of flight delays, cancellations, and overbookings. If you're facing a delayed flight in the UK, specific passenger rights apply.

Compensation is different to a refund!

Don't get confused over what the airline owes you after a flight disruption:

• Refund: if your flight is cancelled, the airline may offer to return the original fare because they can't provide the service you bought.

• Compensation: this is money the airline pays you make amends for a problem or inconvenience.

• Reimbursements: if you had extra costs because of your delay, you may be able to claim them back.

In some situations you are entitled to all three!

You can't get compensation in extraordinary circumstances

Airlines don't have to pay compensation for flight delays or cancellations caused by events genuinely beyond their control. Things like severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security incidents.

Pay attention to whether other flights are taking off on time - that's an indication that your airline may be at fault. UK and EU laws like UK261 clearly define what counts as extraordinary circumstances.

Not all countries have air passenger rights. Here's the most useful for UK travellers to know about.

Air passenger rights and regulations you should know

There are several regional or international laws that serve as powerful tools to air passengers. These include, but are not limited to, EU legislation EC 261, various US laws, Brazil’s ANAC 400, and the Montreal Convention.

Certain regulations have a wider reach or prove more advantageous than others. However, it’s best to remember that disrupted flight circumstances can differ significantly, and it’s helpful to know which strengths you can rely on for your journey.

Even when you don't qualify for compensation, there are other important parts of air passenger rights you should know about.

You could be entitled to free food, a hotel overnight, and a replacement flight.

What you get depends on your situation and where you're flying, but here's what we like to see:

We're here to help you get the money airlines owe you.

Since 2013, we've been making it easier for people to understand their rights and actually get compensation, instead of just giving up when airlines make it difficult.

Whether you fly once a year on holiday or every week for work, we can help you make sense of all the different rules.

We publish simple guides you can download and keep, so you always know what to expect. Our experts also write about passenger rights news and changes in the law.

We do the hard work for you

We help people claim compensation for delayed flights, cancelled flights, being bumped off flights, baggage problems, and missed connections.

So far, we've got money back for 3 million passengers. You never pay us upfront - we only charge if we successfully win you money.

Want to try claiming yourself? You can still use our free tools, like calculators that work out how much airlines owe you.

Since we started, AirHelp has changed how the compensation industry works, making it much easier for ordinary people to hold airlines accountable.

We've changed passenger rights for the better

As well as our work handling claims, AirHelp consistently fights to improve rights for all passengers.

We're a founding member of APRA, the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates who work in Brussels to represent passenger interests.

We also take on landmark cases. Which, when we win them, make the law clearer and stronger for everyone.

Can I get compensation for a codeshare flight?

If your disrupted flight meets the necessary criteria — then yes. For codeshare flights, the airline who is operating your flight at the time of cancellation or delay is the one responsible for paying compensation. It’s possible to claim compensation if the connecting flights are part of a single reservation departing from the UK, or is an UK/EU airline, and only if the disruption qualifies.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

Under UK air passenger rights, you're entitled to a full refund or a replacement flight. If the cancellation is the airline’s fault and you were informed late, you may also claim compensation under UK261.

What do I do if my replacement flight was downgraded?

If you accept an alternative flight or a higher class ticket, the airline cannot charge you any additional payment. On the other hand, if you’re downgraded to a lower class ticket, you can get reimbursed for 30%–75% of the original ticket price.

Can I get compensation if my flight was part of a package holiday?

Yes. If your flight is delayed or canceled and meets the necessary criteria, you can claim for compensation from the airline. It is the airline’s responsibility to compensate their passengers, so the laws apply even if the flight ticket was part of a package holiday. The easiest way to check if your flight is eligible is to use our Compensation Check. You can also contact the airline.

Can I get compensation for a delayed flight in the UK?

Yes. If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours and the airline is responsible, UK airline passenger rights under UK 261 law may entitle you to up to £520 in compensation, depending on the flight distance.

Can I claim compensation if I booked my flight ticket via an online travel agent (OTA)?

Yes, if it meets the necessary criteria. You can claim compensation for any flight delayed by 3 hours or more, or if your flight was canceled less than 14 days before departure, and if your airline was considered at fault.