Summer is just around the corner and many holidaymakers are looking forward to jetting off abroad this year. A week in the sunshine is needed for many after two years of travel disruption due to Covid-19.
However, even the best-laid plans can be subject to some disruption, flight delays being one of them. And while there is nothing worse than being stuck at an airport when you're supposed to be on a plane to your destination, there are things you can do if your flight is delayed.
In fact, you can claim hundreds of pounds in compensation if you're delayed on a flight covered by UK law. Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to claim between £220 and £520 if you're delayed by three hours or more.
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According to Citizens Advice, you might be able to claim compensation if your flight was leaving from the UK (it doesn't matter which airline you're travelling with), if you're arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline, or if you're arriving in the EU and are travelling with a UK airline. If the above doesn't apply to you then you should contact your airline directly.
If your flight's delayed for long enough, most airlines will offer you food and drink (often in the form of vouchers), along with access to phone calls and emails. They'll also offer accommodation if you're delayed overnight, including the journeys to and from the hotel.
How long the delay has to be depends on the distance of the flight and the countries it's flying between. But how long does a flight have to be delayed for compensation?
If your flight is delayed by more than three hours
Passengers are able to claim compensation if the flight arrives more than three hours late due to a fault of the airline. If it's out of the airline's hands, for example due to bad weather, it's unlikely you'll get compensation.
When a flight is delayed you're entitled to a set amount of compensation, but it depends on both the distance of the flight and the length of the delay.
- If you're delayed by three hours or more, and have a flight distance of less than 1,500km, you're entitled to £220
- If you're delayed by three hours or more, and have a flight distance of between 1,500km and 3,500km, you're entitled to £350
- If you're delayed by four hours or more, and have a flight distance of more than 3,500km, you're entitled to £520
If your flight is delayed by more than five hours
You don’t have to take the flight if it's delayed for five hours or more. If this happens you're entitled to the following
- a full refund for the flight
- a full refund for other flights from the airline that you won’t use in the same booking, such as an onward or return flight
- if you're part-way through a journey, a flight back to the airport you originally departed from
If you do take the flight, you can still claim up to £520 in compensation. Again, this will depend on the distance and destination of your flight, and how late it arrived. For further information visit the Citizens Advice website.
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