Qantas Perth–London Delayed — Does UK261 Apply on the Way Back?
Outbound (QF9 PER→LHR): not covered. Qantas isn't a UK or EU carrier and Perth isn't a UK or EU airport — the regulations don't trigger. Return (QF10 LHR→PER): covered by UK261. A 3+ hour late arrival in Perth on QF10 entitles you to up to £520 (≈A$1,000) per passenger.
Key directional rule
QF9 PER → LHR = no compensation. QF10 LHR → PER = £520 per passenger if delayed 3+ hours on arrival or cancelled with under 14 days' notice.
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.
Why Only the Return Is Covered
UK261 is triggered by either: (1) a UK airport departure, regardless of carrier, or (2) a UK-registered carrier departing from anywhere. Qantas is Australian (not UK), so condition (2) fails. Perth Airport is Australian (not UK), so condition (1) fails on the outbound. On the return, condition (1) is satisfied — QF10 leaves Heathrow.
The same rule applies to EU261 (which would require an EU airport or EU carrier — neither met). The outbound has no compensation regime; the return has the full £520 protection.
Eligibility — Every Variant
| Flight | Regulation | Amount | Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Perth (PER) → London (LHR) — QF9 | None | — | ❌ |
| Qantas London (LHR) → Perth (PER) — QF10 | UK261 | £520 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| Qantas LHR → Singapore → Perth (since March 2026) | UK261 | £520 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| Qantas LHR → SIN (BA-operated) → PER (QF-operated) codeshare | UK261 on BA leg, depends on QF leg routing | £520 if BA leg delays cause LHR–PER 3h+ delay | Partial |
QF10 Routing in 2026 and Beyond
The QF9/10 service evolved significantly in early 2026:
- Pre-March 2026: Non-stop PER–LHR — the world's longest scheduled flight at 17h 50m, on Boeing 787.
- From March 2026: Routed via Singapore due to Middle East airspace closures. The non-stop is suspended until further notice.
- Future plan: Qantas Project Sunrise (SYD–LHR non-stop on Airbus A350-1000ULR) is expected from 2027 — which would also be UK261-covered on the LHR–SYD return leg.
Routing changes don't affect UK261 eligibility on the return: a single LHR-departing ticket triggers UK261 regardless of whether the journey is non-stop or via Singapore.
How to File a UK261 Claim Against Qantas
- Capture actual arrival at Perth using Flightradar24 or FlightAware. The 3-hour clock runs from scheduled arrival time.
- File at qantas.com → Help → Compensation. Include booking reference, QF10 flight number, date, and actual arrival time. Cite UK Regulation 261/2004.
- Wait 4–8 weeks. Qantas typically responds. Approved claims pay via bank transfer in GBP or the booking currency.
- Escalate via UK CAA or CEDR if rejected. Qantas participates in CEDR (UK ADR scheme), which provides binding decisions. The UK statute of limitations is 6 years.
Common Rejection Reasons
Qantas may cite extraordinary circumstances. The same rules as for any UK261 carrier apply:
- Severe weather, ATC strikes, security incidents — potentially extraordinary.
- Technical fault — not extraordinary (CJEU C-549/07).
- Crew rostering — within Qantas' control.
- Knock-on delays — not extraordinary unless original cause was external.
- Qantas staff strikes — not extraordinary (CJEU C-28/20 reasoning).
Push back on rejections that cite a non-extraordinary cause. A no-win-no-fee service such as ClaimWinger handles rebuttals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UK261 apply to QF10 from London?
Yes. UK261 protects every flight departing a UK airport regardless of airline nationality. QF10 from LHR is a Qantas-operated flight from a UK airport — UK261 applies. Up to £520 (≈A$1,000) per passenger if delayed 3+ hours on arrival in Perth.
Why isn't QF9 from Perth covered?
QF9 leaves Perth — an Australian airport, not EU or UK — and the operating carrier is Qantas, not an EU/UK airline. Neither EU261 nor UK261 has any trigger for that combination. The asymmetry is fundamental: protection is determined by departure airport plus carrier nationality. QF9 fails both tests.
Did the QF9/10 schedule change in 2026?
Yes. QF9/QF10 was the world's longest non-stop scheduled flight (PER–LHR, 17h 50m). In March 2026, the non-stop service was suspended due to closures of Middle East airspace; Qantas began operating the route via Singapore. UK261 still applies to the LHR-departing return regardless of routing — single-ticket UK departures trigger the regulation.
How much can I claim if QF10 is delayed by 4 hours?
£520 per passenger. UK261 long-haul tier (over 3,500 km) is fixed at £520, regardless of how far above the threshold you flew. PER–LHR is approximately 14,500 km non-stop or 15,000+ km via Singapore — well into long-haul. For a family of four, that's up to £2,080 (~A$4,000).
How do I file a UK261 claim from Australia?
First, file with Qantas at qantas.com → Help → Compensation. Include booking reference, QF10 flight date and actual arrival time at Perth. Cite UK Regulation 261/2004. If rejected, escalate to the UK CAA or use CEDR — Qantas participates in the UK ADR scheme. The 6-year UK statute of limitations gives you time, but file promptly.
Check again - are you entitled to compensation?
Free verification • Up to EUR 600 • Pay only on success
Related articles
African Airline Refuses EU261 — What to Do (RAM, Kenya, Ethiopian, EgyptAir)
African non-EU carriers (RAM, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian, EgyptAir, SAA, Air Algérie, Tunisair) often delay or reject EU261 claims. Step-by-step escalation: airline rejection → NEB complaint → court act
Czytaj więcej →Air Algérie EU261 — Complete Guide for European Flights
Air Algérie (AH) is non-EU. EU261 covers ONLY EU/UK departures (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, London, Brussels, Madrid, Frankfurt, etc.). Return from Algiers/Oran/Constantine NOT covered. €250 short-haul /
Czytaj więcej →Air France Africa Flights EU261 — Quick Answer
Air France (AF) operates 30+ African destinations from Paris. French EU carrier — covered both directions on all routes. €250–€600 by distance. 5-year French limitation period (longest in the EU). Afr
Czytaj więcej →