How Many Hours Do You Need To Be Delayed To Claim Flight Compensation?

Under EU Regulation 261, you’ll be eligible to claim compensation if your flight is delayed three hours or more than the originally scheduled arrival time, and the delay is the airline’s responsibility and not an extraordinary circumstance.

The legal definition of arrival time is when the first aircraft door has been opened.

Compensation amounts are based on how much later you arrived than the scheduled arrival time at your destination, not how late you took off. For example –

You can’t claim compensation if your flight departed 4 hours late but arrived 2 hours and 45 minutes late. No compensation is due as you arrived in less than three hours less than you were originally scheduled.

You could claim compensation if your flight departed 4 hours late and arrived 3 hours and 45 minutes late. Compensation is due as you arrived three hours later than originally scheduled.

How Long Does A Flight Have To Be Delayed To Claim?

You are legally entitled to claim for a flight delay if your flight arrives more than three hours late, and the delay was the airline’s responsibility.

The official delay time can be recorded once one of the cabin doors has been opened, not when you land or taxiing to the terminal.

However, it is not always straightforward, as depending on whether you were delayed, your flight was cancelled, or if you were delayed on a replacement flight after a cancellation, your rights to claim compensation and the amount you may be due may change.

The simplest way to see if you can claim compensation for your flight delay is to add your flight number and the date you flew to our flight delay compensation calculator. We’ll instantly check your flight and let you know how much you may be eligible to claim.

Below, we look at your legal rights to claim compensation based on the circumstances of your flight and how long you were delayed.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 1 Hour?

You would not be able to claim compensation if you were delayed by 1 hour. The minimum length of time needed before you would be eligible to claim is 3 hours.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 2 Hours?

Compensation under EU Reg 261 does not cover delays of 2 hours or less, so you would not be entitled to claim compensation.

However, depending on the length of your journey, the airline is responsible for providing care and assistance during your delay.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 3 Hours?

Yes, if you arrived at your destination 3 hours later than originally scheduled, and the airline was responsible, you would be eligible to claim compensation.

You can claim £220 for short-haul flights up to 1500km and £350 for flights between 1500km and 3500km. You can claim £260 for long-haul flights over 3500 km with a delay between 3 and 4 hours.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 4 Hours?

Yes, you can claim compensation for a 4 hour delay if the cause of the delay was not an extraordinary circumstance. If your flight was more than 3500km, you can receive compensation of £520 for a 4 hour flight delay.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 5 Hours?

Yes, you can. Your rights under EU261 expand as the regulation classifies flight delays of 5 hours or more as the same as a flight cancellation. In this instance, you have the right to get a full refund on the price of your airline ticket.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Delayed By 6 Hours?

For extended flight delays such as 6 hours or more, your rights under EU261 cover you to claim compensation and entitlement to a flight refund.

The same rules would apply for delays over 6 hours, including delays over 24 hours.

My Flight Was Cancelled And My Replacement Flight Is Not On Schedule, Can I Claim Compensation?

If your flight is cancelled, the airline is responsible for providing either a refund on your flight or a replacement flight. However, if your replacement flight departs earlier than expected or arrives later than your originally scheduled flight, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

How Do I Know If My Flight Is Eligible For Flight Compensation?

EUReg261 protects airline passengers whose flights departed from or arrived at a UK or EU airport on a UK or EU airline. You can claim for delayed flights that departed in the last six years.

Under UK law, you will be able to make a claim for EU261 compensation if your flight:

• Departed from the UK
• Arrived in the UK on a UK or EU airline
• Arrived in the EU on a UK airline

When You Are At The Airport, You Have A Right To Care and Assistance

Article 9 of EU Reg 261 states that airlines must provide passengers with a level of “care and assistance” if their flight is delayed beyond a certain number of hours.

Airline passengers are eligible for “care and assistance” if their flight is delayed at least 2 hours (for flights under 1,500km), delayed at least 3 hours (for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km), or at least 4 hours for flights over 3,500km.

Regardless of the reason for the delay, the airline must provide passengers with:

• Food and drink in reasonable relation to waiting time
• Free hotel accommodation when a stay of one night or more is necessary
• Free transport between the airport and the hotel
• Two free telephone calls, emails, telex or fax messages

The airline should cover all these costs during the delay as part of their ‘care and assistance’ obligations. However, we see cases where passengers have had to use their money to buy food and drink or get taxis to and from the airports.

This right applies to delays, even if caused by what the regulation calls an ‘extraordinary circumstance’.

What Is The Time Limit For Claiming Flight Compensation?

In the UK, you can claim for eligible flights that departed in the last six years. In Scotland, you have five years from the departure date to start your claim.

Bott and Co. proved this time limit at the Supreme Court in 2014, representing passenger James Dawson vs. Thomson. Following several appeals, Judges agreed with Bott and Co. that consumers have six years rather than two to bring a flight claim, as Thomson argued.