Heathrow Airport Flight Delay & Cancellation Compensation
London Heathrow (LHR) is Europe's busiest airport. Every flight departing Heathrow is covered by UK261 — up to £520 per person for a 3+ hour delay or cancellation. All airlines, including Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines, must comply.
Quick answer
Heathrow departures: UK261 applies to all airlines. Compensation: £220 (≤1,500 km) / £350 (1,500–3,500 km) / £520 (>3,500 km). Deadline: 6 years. Escalation: CEDR Aviation.
Check if your flight qualifies for compensation
Fill in the form below to find out if you can claim up to EUR 600 for a delayed or cancelled flight. No upfront cost - you pay only if you win.
Compensation by Route from Heathrow
| Route | Distance | Tier | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| London LHR → Dubai DXB | ~5,500 km | Long-haul | £520 |
| London LHR → New York JFK | ~5,500 km | Long-haul | £520 |
| London LHR → Hong Kong HKG | ~9,600 km | Long-haul | £520 |
| London LHR → Sydney SYD | ~16,900 km | Long-haul | £520 |
| London LHR → Toronto YYZ | ~5,700 km | Long-haul | £520 |
| London LHR → Amsterdam AMS | ~370 km | Short-haul | £220 |
| London LHR → Paris CDG | ~340 km | Short-haul | £220 |
| London LHR → Istanbul IST | ~2,500 km | Medium-haul | £350 |
| London LHR → Cairo CAI | ~3,520 km | Long-haul | £520 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much compensation for a Heathrow delay?
Compensation depends on the flight distance: £220 for flights up to 1,500 km (e.g. LHR–Paris, LHR–Amsterdam), £350 for 1,500–3,500 km (e.g. LHR–Istanbul, LHR–Antalya), and £520 for flights over 3,500 km (e.g. LHR–Dubai, LHR–New York, LHR–Cairo, LHR–Hong Kong). The 3+ hour arrival delay threshold applies for UK261 compensation claims.
Which airlines must comply with UK261 at Heathrow?
All airlines operating departures from London Heathrow must comply with UK261. This includes British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, American Airlines, Delta, United, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, and every other carrier that departs from LHR. UK261 applies regardless of where the airline is registered.
I was delayed at Heathrow — what documents do I need?
Gather: (1) booking confirmation with flight number and ticket number; (2) boarding pass (or evidence of check-in if no boarding pass was issued); (3) evidence of the actual arrival time — track via FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or the airline's own delay confirmation; (4) any communication from the airline about the delay cause. Submit these with your UK261 claim to the airline within a reasonable time. If rejected, escalate to CEDR Aviation with the rejection letter.
The airline cited ATC restrictions at Heathrow — can I still claim?
Possibly yes. Heathrow operates at near-full capacity and ATC slot restrictions are a daily occurrence — these are not extraordinary circumstances. Only a genuine ATC strike by third-party controllers (not routine capacity management) qualifies as extraordinary. If the airline cites ATC restrictions without evidence of an actual strike or force majeure event, challenge the rejection. Eurocontrol's CTOT (Calculated Take-Off Time) data is publicly accessible and can confirm whether a genuine restriction was in effect.
How long do I have to claim for a Heathrow delay?
UK261 claims have a 6-year limitation period under the UK Limitation Act 1980. This is the most generous deadline in Europe. However, evidence deteriorates over time — flight records, delay confirmations, and booking data become harder to obtain years later. Submit your claim as soon as possible even if you technically have up to 6 years. CEDR Aviation handles escalations free of charge.
Check again - are you entitled to compensation?
Free verification • Up to EUR 600 • Pay only on success
Related articles
LOT Flight LO163 Compensation: Can You Claim Up to EUR 400?
Looking for compensation for LOT Flight LO163 from Warsaw to Marrakesh? Learn when EU261 applies to LO163, how delays, cancellations, and denied boarding differ, and when compensation may reach EUR 400.
Czytaj więcej →LOT Flight LO80 Cancelled: Compensation Guide for Tokyo to Warsaw
Was LOT Flight LO80 from Tokyo to Warsaw cancelled? Learn when EU261 can still pay up to EUR 600, how the 14-day rule works on LO80, what rerouting changes, and when LOT still owes reimbursement or care.
Czytaj więcej →LOT Flight LO18 Overbooking Compensation: Denied Boarding Guide
Bumped from LOT Flight LO18 from Newark to Rzeszow because of overbooking? Learn when EU261 can still pay EUR 600, what rights you have at the airport, and why voluntary and involuntary denied boarding are not the same.
Czytaj więcej →