British Airways delay compensation: how to claim it yourself
If your British Airways flight arrived 3 or more hours late, was cancelled at short notice or you were bumped, you may be owed up to £520 or €600 per passenger. Check for free, then claim directly and keep all of it.
Check my British Airways flightWhich British Airways flights are covered?
British Airways is licensed in United Kingdom, so it counts as a UK airline.
- All British Airways flights departing the UK are covered by UK261, and flights departing the EU by EU261.
- Flights into the UK from outside the UK and EU are covered by UK261, because British Airways is a UK airline.
- Flights into the EU from outside the EU (for example from the UK) are not covered by EU261, but a flight from the UK is already covered by UK261.
How much you can claim
| Flight distance | UK261 | EU261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 | €250 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km (and intra-EU over 1,500 km) | £350 | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km, 3–4 hours late | £260 | €300 |
| Over 3,500 km, 4+ hours late | £520 | €600 |
Per passenger, for arrival delays of 3 hours or more, cancellations with less than 14 days' notice, and involuntary denied boarding. Not payable if British Airways proves extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control restrictions. Technical faults and the airline's own staff strikes usually don't count.
How to claim from British Airways
- Check your flight with our free checker to confirm which law applies and how much you're owed.
- Send a claim to British Airways through its claim or complaint form at britishairways.com, quoting the Regulation and the amount. Our letter pack writes it for you.
- Follow up if you haven't been paid after about 4 weeks.
- Escalate after 8 weeks: for UK261 claims to CEDR Aviation Adjudication Scheme, the ADR scheme British Airways belongs to. For EU261 claims, go to the national enforcement body.
Questions
How much compensation can I get from British Airways?
Under UK261, £220 (up to 1,500 km), £350 (1,500–3,500 km) or £520 (over 3,500 km; £260 if 3–4 hours late). Under EU261, €250, €400 or €600 (€300 if a long-haul flight is 3–4 hours late). Amounts are per passenger.
Which British Airways flights are covered?
All British Airways flights departing the UK are covered by UK261, and flights departing the EU by EU261. Flights into the UK from outside the UK and EU are covered by UK261, because British Airways is a UK airline. Flights into the EU from outside the EU (for example from the UK) are not covered by EU261, but a flight from the UK is already covered by UK261.
What if British Airways rejects my claim?
For UK261 claims, escalate to CEDR Aviation Adjudication Scheme after 8 weeks or after a final rejection. For EU261 claims, complain to the national enforcement body in the country where the disruption happened. You can also go to the small claims court.
Do I need a claims company to claim from British Airways?
No. You can claim directly from British Airways for free and keep all the compensation. Claims companies typically keep 35% or more.
Important: DelayOwed is a self-help guidance tool, not a law firm or claims company, and is not affiliated with any airline. Airline names are used only to describe which flights this guide covers.