How much compensation can I get from British Airways?

From EU airports: €250 (under 1,500 km), €400 (1,500–3,500 km), €600 (over 3,500 km). From UK airports: £220 (under 1,500 km), £350 (1,500–3,500 km), £520 (over 3,500 km). 3+ hours arrival delay required. BA operates globally so €600/£520 claims are common for intercontinental routes.

How do I claim compensation from British Airways?

Via britishairways.com → Help → Delay and Cancellation Claims. Provide booking reference, flight number (BA + digits), date and actual arrival time. BA responds in 4–8 weeks. BA participates in CEDR (UK) for UK261 escalation and your national ADR (SÖP in Germany) for EU261.

Does British Airways pay compensation voluntarily?

British Airways pays more readily than many budget carriers but rejects a significant proportion of claims citing technical faults and ATC restrictions. BA participates in CEDR (UK Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) — an effective and free escalation route for UK departures.

Can I escalate a British Airways EU261 claim via CEDR?

CEDR handles UK261 claims (UK departures). For EU261 claims (EU departures), use your national ADR body — SÖP in Germany, DGAC in France, etc. British Airways is legally required to participate in ADR for both UK and EU departures.

British Airways Compensation: EU261 vs UK261 After Brexit — Up to €600 / £520

Q: Does EU261 apply to British Airways after Brexit?

British Airways flights from EU airports: EU261 applies. British Airways flights from UK airports: UK261 (the Retained EU Law equivalent) applies. Both regulations have the same compensation amounts — EU261 in euros, UK261 in pounds (£220/£350/£520). BA is a UK carrier post-Brexit but EU261 still covers BA flights departing EU airports.

EU261 vs UK261 Comparison — British Airways

Departure	Law	Short-haul	Medium	Long-haul
EU airport (e.g. Frankfurt, Paris CDG)	EU261	€250	€400	€600
UK airport (e.g. Heathrow, Gatwick)	UK261	£220	£350	£520

How to Claim from British Airways

Identify which law applies

Did your flight depart an EU airport? EU261 applies. Did it depart a UK airport (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, etc.)? UK261 applies. Both have the same 3+ hour arrival delay threshold and compensation structure.

Document the delay

FlightAware or the BA app. Arrival time = when aircraft doors open at the destination. BA Heathrow hub often means slot restrictions — request the specific ATFM slot number if BA cites ATC as the cause.

Submit via BA's website

britishairways.com → Help → Delay and Cancellation Claims. Include booking reference (BA PNR), flight number (BA + digits), date and actual arrival time. BA typically responds in 4–8 weeks.

Escalate via CEDR (UK) or ADR (EU)

For UK261 claims: CEDR (cedr.com/aviation) — BA participates. For EU261 claims: your national ADR body (SÖP in Germany). CEDR decisions are binding on BA if accepted by the passenger.

Common BA Rejection Reasons — Challenged

Rejection: Technical fault (extraordinary circumstances)

CJEU C-549/07: technical defects are NOT extraordinary. For UK261, the same principle applies. BA must prove the specific fault was unforeseeable and beyond all reasonable control.

Rejection: ATC / Heathrow slot restriction

Valid only if the specific restriction directly caused your delay. Heathrow is notoriously slot-restricted — BA often cites generic 'ATC delay' for delays that have other causes. Request the specific ATFM slot number.

Rejection: Staff strike (extraordinary circumstances)

CJEU C-28/20 (Airhelp v SAS): strikes by the airline's own employees are NOT extraordinary. If BA pilots or cabin crew struck, you retain full compensation rights.

Rejection: Delay under 3 hours

Verify independently on FlightAware. BA sometimes measures from scheduled times rather than actual door-open at destination. Check the specific terminal arrival time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does EU261 apply to British Airways after Brexit?

EU261 for EU airport departures. UK261 for UK airport departures. Both same amounts — EU261 in €, UK261 in £ (£220/£350/£520).

How much compensation from British Airways?

€250/£220 (under 1,500 km), €400/£350 (1,500–3,500 km), €600/£520 (over 3,500 km). 3+ hours arrival delay required.

How do I claim from British Airways?

britishairways.com → Help → Delay and Cancellation Claims. Booking reference, flight number, actual arrival time. 4–8 weeks. Escalate via CEDR (UK261) or national ADR (EU261) if rejected.

Can I escalate via CEDR?

Yes for UK261 (UK departures). For EU261 (EU departures) use your national ADR body (SÖP in Germany). CEDR decisions are binding on BA.

What if BA rejected for technical fault?

Challenge it. CJEU C-549/07 (EU261) and UK courts both hold that routine technical defects are not extraordinary. File with CEDR or national ADR.