Are You Entitled to Delayed Flight Compensation?

Travelling with kids is always full of excitement—but if you’ve ever been stuck at the airport with tired children and no idea when your flight is leaving, you’ll know just how stressful flight delays can be. 

I’ve been there more than once, and believe me, it’s not just about the inconvenience—it can mean missed connections, lost hotel nights, and a big knock-on effect for your family plans.

What many people don’t realise is that you could be entitled to compensation for a delayed flight, depending on the circumstances. 

After experiencing a few travel hiccups myself, I’ve taken the time to understand our rights as UK travellers—and I’m here to share everything I’ve learnt.

Know Your Rights: UK Flight Delay Compensation Rules

In the UK, air passengers are protected by law when it comes to flight delays. 

Whether you’re travelling with British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, or any other EU or UK-based airline, your rights are covered under UK law (formerly EU Regulation EC 261/2004).

If your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late, and the delay is due to reasons within the airline’s control—like technical problems or staffing issues—you are likely entitled to compensation for a delayed flight.

However, not all delays are covered. 

If the disruption is caused by “extraordinary circumstances”—like severe weather, political unrest, or air traffic control strikes—compensation won’t apply. 

It’s frustrating, but important to understand.

Our Experience with a Four-Hour Delay

I’ll never forget our family holiday to Spain a couple of summers ago. 

The outbound flight was fine, but our return journey? Not so much. 

After arriving at the airport with two very overtired children, we were told our flight had a technical issue and wouldn’t be leaving for hours.

There was minimal communication, no food vouchers, and we were left sitting on the cold airport floor while trying to entertain the kids. 

At the time, I didn’t even know we could claim compensation for a delayed flight. 

It wasn’t until we got home and I did some research that I realised we could’ve claimed up to £520.

That experience taught me that it’s so important to know your rights in advance—and that airlines don’t always make it easy to claim what you’re owed.

How Much Compensation Could You Be Owed?

The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay and the distance of the flight:

• £220 for flights up to 1,500 km (about 2 hours)
• £350 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km
• £520 for flights over 3,500 km and delays of 4 hours or more

Remember, this only applies if the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Airline Policies at a Glance

Here’s a quick look at how some popular airlines handle compensation:

• British Airways: BA are usually quite clear on your rights. You can file a claim directly on their website for delays over 3 hours.
• Ryanair: You can claim online, but I’ve heard from friends that their customer service isn’t always the most responsive. Definitely keep details of all the correspondence and issues.
• easyJet: Also follows the UK regulation and allows claims through their site, but again—persistence and good record keeping is key.
• Jet2: Fairly straightforward process, though in some cases they may push back if they consider the reason “extraordinary.”

Having a delay is stressful enough—but fighting for compensation can be even more draining, especially if the airline isn’t very helpful.

Don’t Want the Hassle? AirHelp Can Do It for You

That’s where services like AirHelp come in. 

If you’re not sure where to start, or you’ve already had a claim rejected unfairly, AirHelp can handle the process on your behalf.

I’ve been told by friends that the process was surprisingly simple.

Just submit the flight details, upload the boarding passes, and they take it from there. 

A few weeks later, your compensation could be in your account. 

They do take a small percentage as a fee, but honestly, it can save hours of paperwork and back-and-forth emails.

They only charge if your claim is successful—so there’s really nothing to lose.

It’s a great option for busy parents who don’t have the time or energy to chase airlines around.

What You Need to Do After a Flight Delay

If your flight is delayed and you think you may be entitled to compensation for a delayed flight, here’s what to do:

1. Ask for a reason for the delay—get it in writing if possible.
2. Keep your documents—boarding passes, receipts, booking confirmations.
3. Track your arrival time—the delay is calculated based on when the plane door opens at the destination.
4. Request food and drinks if the delay is more than two hours.
5. Check the airline’s website for their claims form.

Don’t Let a Delay Ruin Your Trip

Family travel should be joyful, not stressful. 

While you can’t always control delays, you can make sure you’re treated fairly if they happen. 

Knowing you might be entitled to compensation for a delayed flight can take a little sting out of a disrupted journey—and maybe even cover your next adventure!

So whether you’re jetting off to Disneyland Paris, heading for sunshine in Greece, or braving the chaos of Gatwick at half-term, keep this in your back pocket. 

Be ready, be informed, and don’t be afraid to claim what you’re owed.

Final Thoughts

I’ve learnt that being prepared is half the battle. 

If you’ve ever had a delayed flight, make sure to check if you’re eligible for compensation. 

Don’t leave money on the table—especially when it could help fund your next family adventure.

Have you ever claimed compensation for a delayed flight? 

I’d love to hear about your experience—drop it in the comments below. 

Safe travels, and may all your future flights be on time!