UK261 Flight Compensation: Complete Guide for UK Passengers
After Brexit, the UK created UK261 — a domestic law mirroring EU261 with the same passenger rights. UK passengers can claim £220, £350 or £520 per person for delayed or cancelled flights from UK airports. 6-year deadline. CEDR Aviation handles escalations.
Quick answer
UK261 compensation: £220 (≤1,500 km) / £350 (1,500–3,500 km) / £520 (>3,500 km). Applies to all airlines departing UK airports. Deadline: 6 years. Escalation: CEDR Aviation (free, binding).
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UK261 Compensation Amounts
| Flight distance | Compensation | Example routes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 | London–Edinburgh, London–Amsterdam, London–Paris |
| 1,500–3,500 km | £350 | London–Istanbul, London–Antalya, London–Hurghada (if ≤3,500 km) |
| Over 3,500 km | £520 | London–Dubai, London–Cairo, London–New York, London–Bangkok |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UK261 and how does it differ from EU261?
UK261 (The Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019) is the UK domestic law that replicated EU Regulation 261/2004 after Brexit. It gives passengers on flights departing from UK airports, or on UK-registered carriers departing from any airport, the same rights as EU261 — including compensation of £220, £350 or £520 per person. The main difference is the currency (pounds not euros) and the enforcement body (UK CAA and CEDR rather than EU national bodies).
Which flights are covered by UK261?
UK261 covers: (1) all flights departing from a UK airport regardless of the carrier's nationality, and (2) flights operated by a UK-registered carrier arriving at a UK airport from outside the UK. This means Emirates, Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Turkish Airlines and all other carriers must comply with UK261 on flights departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and all other UK airports.
How much compensation can I claim under UK261?
UK261 sets three compensation tiers based on flight distance: £220 for flights up to 1,500 km, £350 for flights 1,500–3,500 km, and £520 for flights over 3,500 km. These mirror EU261 (€250/€400/€600) but are expressed in pounds. A 50% reduction applies if the airline offers re-routing arriving within 2 hours (short-haul), 3 hours (medium-haul) or 4 hours (long-haul) of the original arrival time.
What is the deadline to claim under UK261?
The UK has a 6-year limitation period for contract claims (Limitation Act 1980). This is the most generous limitation period in Europe. However, CEDR Aviation (the UK ADR scheme) recommends submitting within 6 years. Collecting evidence (boarding passes, booking confirmation, delay confirmation) becomes harder over time, so submit promptly even though the 6-year window is available.
How do I escalate a rejected UK261 claim?
If an airline rejects your UK261 claim, escalate to CEDR Aviation — the UK Civil Aviation Authority-approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. CEDR decisions are binding on airlines. The service is free for passengers. CEDR handles claims against British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, Virgin Atlantic, TUI, and most other UK-departure airlines. Submit your claim at cedr.com/aviation with your rejection letter and flight evidence.
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