How to reach British Airways for customer service & claims

Need to know how to contact British Airways? Below are the fastest phone numbers, chat links and forms to reach their customer service—plus a quicker way to get what you’re after. If your British Airways flight was delayed, cancelled or overbooked, or your baggage went missing or arrived damaged, AirHelp can pursue compensation for you. Check your flight in two minutes for free, pay nothing unless we win, and let the experts handle the paperwork while you move on.

Here are the main ways to reach British Airways customer service:

• Phone: Main customer service line: 0344 493 0787. Available for booking, cancellations, and general inquiries.

• Website: britishairways.com - Manage bookings, check flight status, and access online forms.

• Live chat: Available through the British Airways website or mobile app for quick assistance.

• Email/Contact form: For complaints, claims, and issues requiring written documentation, use the online contact form at britishairways.com.

• Mailing address: British Airways Plc. Waterside. PO Box 365. Harmondsworth, UB7 0GB. United Kingdom

British Airways social media channels

• X: @British_Airways

• Facebook: britishairways

• Instagram: british_airways

If your British Airways flight was delayed, cancelled without enough notice, or you were bumped because of overbooking, you could be owed compensation.

Contact British Airways directly for compensation

You can file a compensation claim directly with British Airways through their customer relations form or email. However, you may experience:

• Multi-step paperwork that asks for receipts, boarding passes and baggage tags

• Dense legal language that can make it hard to tell what you’re really entitled to

• Automatic “no” notices, even when the airline clearly owes you money

• Lack of response or follow-up

Get compensated faster with AirHelp

Why use AirHelp instead of contacting British Airways directly?

✅ Free eligibility check – Know your rights in 2 minutes

✅ We handle everything – No need to contact British Airways yourself

✅ Expert knowledge – We know exactly what you're owed

✅ No win, no fee – You only pay if we get you compensated

✅ We have won compensation for more than 3 million passengers

✅ Trusted by travellers: over 178,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot

AirHelp can check if you’re owed compensation under European regulation EC 261, the UK’s UK 261, Brazil’s ANAC 400, and other passenger rights laws. We deal with the airline for you, so you skip the paperwork and the runaround.

If your bag is delayed, damaged, or lost, reach out to the airline right away to protect your rights—you could be owed a refund or compensation. Report the problem at the airport before you leave, then file your claim. For step-by-step help, check our guide to British Airways baggage issues; contact details are below.

At the airport

• Report the issue immediately at the airport's Baggage Service Office (or at the British Airways service desk, if available) before leaving the airport

• Get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a reference number

• Take photos of any damage

Follow-up contact

• British Airways baggage service: britishairways.com/baggage-essentials

• Keep all receipts for essential items purchased due to baggage delay

• Submit your claim to British Airways within the required time limits

Get compensation for baggage problems with AirHelp

Many passengers don't realize they can get compensation for baggage issues on international flights. On most international flights your baggage rights are covered by the Montreal Convention, which lets you claim up to £1,550 for delayed, lost or damaged luggage.

AirHelp can help you get compensated for:

• Lost baggage – Up to approximately £1,550 per passenger

• Delayed baggage – Reimbursement for essential purchases

• Damaged baggage – Compensation for repairs or replacement

Why use AirHelp for baggage claims?

• We know exactly what documentation is required

• We handle negotiations with British Airways

• An AirHelp+ membership – which gives you access to our baggage claim service – also gets you an extra fast-payment bonus of €100 when your luggage runs into trouble, plus other perks.

The AirHelp Score evaluates airlines based on on-time performance, customer service, and claim handling. It helps you understand how efficiently British Airways resolves issues and responds to compensation claims.

You can view the current AirHelp Score for British Airways here.

Passengers who need wheelchair service, have medical conditions, or are traveling with disabilities should contact British Airways special assistance through their dedicated support page (request help here). It’s best to reach out well before departure so they can set up the assistance you need.

Not sure how to contact British Airways? Here's a quick guide:

For flight delays or cancellations

Best option: Let AirHelp handle your compensation claim

Alternative: Call 0344 493 0787 or visit a British Airways desk at the airport

For compensation claims

Best option: Use AirHelp (fast and high success rate)

Alternative: Submit your claim through the British Airways website

For baggage issues

Best option: Report at airport immediately, then file with AirHelp+ for international flights

Alternative: Request a reimbursement or compensation directly from the airline.

For general questions

Best option: Live chat on britishairways.com or the British Airways mobile app

Alternative: Social media (@British_Airways on X)