Airline guide

British Airways flight delayed or cancelled?

There's one detail that trips up more BA claims than anything else: you have to explicitly ask for EC261/UK261 compensation, not just file a general complaint.

Typical short-haul

£220

Long-haul max

£520

Care threshold

2-4 hrs by distance

The detail that matters most A long-running, detailed passenger forum thread on BA claims specifically flags: if you want EC261/UK261 compensation considered, you need to specifically ask for it by name — a general "I'm unhappy about my delayed flight" complaint may get you an apology or goodwill gesture, not the fixed compensation you're legally owed. Reference the regulation and the specific compensation amount explicitly.

How to claim

Submit via British Airways' "Flight cancellation compensation" page under their Legal/Help section, referencing EU261 or UK261 by name depending on your route, your booking reference, flight number, and the amount you're claiming based on flight distance.

Codeshare flights — a common complication

If you booked with BA but the flight was operated by a different airline (a codeshare), the operating airline is responsible for compensation, not BA. Check your boarding pass for the actual operating carrier before filing — this is a common source of claims being redirected or delayed.

Compensation amounts

£220 for flights under 1,500km, up to £350 for medium-haul, up to £520 for long-haul delays of 4+ hours (reduced for 3-4 hour delays on long-haul routes). Amounts are fixed regardless of your fare class or ticket price.

Want a ready-to-send claim letter for your BA flight?

Our letter explicitly cites the regulation and amount — exactly what BA needs to see.

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