Reimbursement and Compensation: British Airways

If you think you might be owed British Airways delay compensation or British Airways cancellation compensation, you've come to the right place. We can explain your rights as an airline passenger and have the resources to help you claim up to £520 compensation per person.

According to our data on recent British Airways flights, there were 5646 departures within 24 hours and 73.63% were on time.

How many British Airways flights were delayed today?

• Our data indicates that there were 6 British Airways flights delayed by more than 3 hours over a 24-hour period.

• 0.33% of domestic flights and 0.06% of international flights were delayed more than 3 hours.

• Passengers who arrive at their destination more than 3 hours late may be entitled to compensation. Check here.

• To find out more about British Airways punctuality

• Your right to compensation under EC 261

• Compensation for BA flight delays

• Compensation for BA flight cancellations

• Overbooking and other flight disruptions

Your right to compensation under EC 261

As British Airways is headquartered in the UK, nearly all of its flights are protected by EC 261, one of the most comprehensive laws protecting air passenger rights globally. EC Regulation 261 gives passengers the right to claim compensation when they have faced delayed flights that are not their fault. After Brexit, EC 261 was retained in UK law and is now known as UK 261.

The compensation provided under EC 261 for delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights can be up to a maximum of £520.

Compensation for British Airways flight delays

In the event of an British Airways delay, you may be entitled to compensation under EC 261 if these circumstances occur:

1. The flight arrives at its destination at least 3 hours late

2. The flight departs from an EU/UK airport. If it arrives at an EU/UK airport, you are entitled to compensation if the airline is European or UK, such as British Airways.

3. The delay is not due to extraordinary circumstances, such as bad weather or problems at the airport. Nevertheless, if the delay is caused by technical issues or a strike by airline staff, you will likely be eligible for compensation under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

You generally have up to 6 years (5 years in Scotland) to make an British Airways flight delay compensation claim. Simply enter your flight details and our user-friendly flight delay compensation calculator will tell you if you qualify for monetary compensation, and our team of professionals will be available to assist you in obtaining it.

Compensation for British Airways flight cancellations

In the event of a British Airways flight cancellation, European laws on air passenger rights are clear: the airline must offer you alternative transportation to get to your destination or, if you prefer, a refund. In addition to this, you may also be entitled to compensation from British Airways if:

• You received a notice regarding cancellation less than 14 days before departure, you may also be eligible to claim compensation of up to £520 per person.

• Following the flight cancellation, British Airways rebooks you on an alternative flight and your new arrival time is significantly different from your original flight.

These rights do not apply if the flight cancellation was caused by an event beyond British Airways's control, such as severe weather conditions or an accident at the airport. Such events are referred to as extraordinary circumstances.

Find out more about your right to compensation for a cancelled flight here. Or, check now to see if you are entitled to compensation.

Overbooking and other flight disruptions

Compensation under Regulation EC 261 is not linked to the ticket price; instead, it mainly depends on the flight distance. The table below summarises the main scenarios:

As with any law, there are exceptions and special circumstances that may impact any specific claim, including the amount due for compensation. AirHelp makes it easy to check compensation here.

Which British Airways flights are covered by EC Regulation 261?

There are two ways to make an British Airways compensation claim – direct via the airline or via a third party expert like AirHelp.

Claiming via the British Airways website

Every airline has its own individual claims process which should be somewhere on their website. You’ll need to gather all the documents about your flight, research the regulations to determine whether your claim is eligible, and then submit it and follow up.

If you don’t get a reply or you aren’t satisfied, you can find the relevant national aviation authority and pursue your claim with them. If that fails, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer and taking legal action through the courts.

Claiming with AirHelp

We handle everything for you, from start to finish so it’s as easy as possible to get your money.

1. Check if your disrupted flight is eligible using our quick checker.

2. Submit all your documents — we’ll tell you exactly what you need.

3. Sit back and wait for your money! We’ll take care of every aspect of the rest of the process — even if we have to go to court on your behalf.

AirHelp is a team of over 400 experts in air passenger rights, laws and regulations. Since 2013, we’ve helped millions of passengers all over the world because we believe everyone deserves the best and smoothest travels possible.

AirHelp operates on a no-win, no fee basis so you don’t pay us anything up front — even if we have to take your case to court. If we win, our commission is 35% of your compensation, leaving you free to spend the rest of the money on whatever you want. Or pay no fee with our low-cost annual membership, AirHelp+. Find out more about our fees and how AirHelp+ works.

Tips For Successfully Claiming British Airways Compensation

• Gather Documentation: Keep all travel documents, including boarding passes, booking confirmations, and any correspondence from the airline.

• Know the Details: Be clear on the specifics of your flight disruption, including timings and communications received from the airline.

• Follow-Up: After submitting your claim, keep track of its status and follow up with British Airways if necessary.

Flight Statistics: Delays and Cancellations of British Airways

Punctuality of British Airways (24 hours):

Total Flights: 5646
On-Time Flights: 4157
Punctuality Rate: approximately 73.63% of all flights were on time
Long Delays (greater than 3 hours): 6
Flight Cancellations: 435

The number of flights displayed is an estimate based on internal and third-party databases.

When flying with British Airways, encountering luggage problems such as delays, damage, or loss can significantly impact your travel experience. It's crucial to report any luggage issues to British Airways immediately. For delayed luggage, make the report before leaving the airport and for damaged or lost items, report them as soon as possible, preferably before leaving the airport premises. Passengers may be entitled to compensation for reasonable expenses incurred due to luggage issues, up to approximately £1,550, as per the Montreal Convention. This compensation covers the cost of replacement items or repairs, but it's important to keep all purchase receipts and any communication with the airline. AirHelp is adept at handling these claims, providing support and expertise to ensure you receive fair compensation from British Airways for the inconvenience caused.

British Airways is the largest airline in the United Kingdom based on fleet size. When measured by passengers carried, it is second-largest in the United Kingdom behind EasyJet.

How long do I have to claim British Airways compensation?

You're allotted a generous timeframe to initiate a compensation claim with British Airways. Specifically, the law allows you to submit your claim in the UK up to six years from the date of the flight disruption. This extended period ensures that even those who may not immediately realize their eligibility for compensation have ample opportunity to seek redress.

Can I claim for a British Airways flight delayed due to technical issues?

Passengers are entitled to claim compensation for delays caused by technical issues with British Airways. Unlike scenarios deemed extraordinary circumstances that absolve airlines from compensatory obligations, technical difficulties are considered within the airline's control, thereby qualifying affected passengers for compensation under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

What should I do if British Airways rejects my compensation claim?

In the event that British Airways rejects your compensation claim and you believe the decision to be unjust, you have several avenues for recourse. You can escalate the issue by contacting national enforcement bodies dedicated to air passenger rights. Alternatively, seeking legal advice or services from companies specializing in air passenger rights can provide further assistance in challenging the airline's decision.

Are connecting flights covered under the compensation policy?

Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004's compensation policy covers connecting flights, provided they are booked under the same reservation. If a delay on the first leg of your journey causes you to miss a connecting flight and leads to a significant delay at your final destination, you are entitled to compensation for the inconvenience experienced.

Does the compensation amount vary by flight distance?

The compensation amount you're eligible for under EC 261 varies based on the distance of your flight. The regulation stipulates different compensation tiers, with the maximum amount reaching up to £520 for flights over 3,500 km (2,175 miles) that are delayed by more than four hours. This tiered system aims to proportionally address the inconvenience suffered by passengers.

What are my rights if I'm denied boarding on a British Airways flight?

If you're denied boarding on a British Airways flight due to reasons such as overbooking, you're entitled to certain rights under EC 261. These include the choice between a full refund and alternative transportation to your destination, as well as compensation similar to that for delays and cancellations, provided the denial wasn't due to personal eligibility issues such as improper travel documents.