Meals, hotels and refunds during a delay
Separate from compensation, the airline has to look after you while you wait. This applies even when the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances like bad weather.
When the airline must look after you
- 2 hours or more for flights up to 1,500 km.
- 3 hours or more for 1,500 to 3,500 km (and flights within the EU, or within the UK, over 1,500 km).
- 4 hours or more for longer flights.
- Cancellations and denied boarding: straight away.
What you're entitled to
- Meals and refreshments in proportion to the wait (often vouchers).
- Two phone calls or emails.
- A hotel and transport to it if you're stuck overnight.
- A full refund if the delay reaches 5 hours and you decide not to travel, plus a flight back to where you started if relevant.
If the airline didn't provide it
Buy what's reasonable (sensible meals, a standard hotel, a taxi if there's no other transport) and keep every receipt. Claim the costs back from the airline alongside your compensation. Alcohol and luxury hotels are unlikely to be repaid.
Questions
Does the airline have to pay for a hotel even if the delay was due to weather?
Yes. The right to care (meals, hotel, transport) applies whatever the cause. Only the fixed compensation depends on the cause.
Can I get a refund instead of waiting?
Yes, once the delay reaches 5 hours you can choose a full refund of the unused ticket instead of travelling. For cancellations you can choose a refund straight away.
Is the refund instead of compensation?
No. A refund is for the ticket; compensation is separate and depends on the arrival delay, notice and cause.
More guides
- How much compensation can I get for a delayed or cancelled flight?
- What are "extraordinary circumstances"?
- Cancelled flight: what you're owed
- Bumped from an overbooked flight: your rights
- How far back can I claim?
- Airline rejected your claim? What to do next
- Missed your connecting flight? What you're owed
- Delayed or cancelled by a strike: can I claim?
- Downgraded to a lower class: what you're owed
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.