British Airways Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Yurii Semikopenko
07.08.2024

Dealing with flight issues can be really frustrating. However, the good news is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s a good idea to know about these regulations. They can come in handy if your flight goes off course.

Knowing what you’re entitled to can make handling travel problems a lot simpler. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can reduce your anxiety when things go wrong.

Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004

EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws make sure airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.

When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:

  • Food and drinks
  • Accommodation if you’re stuck overnight
  • Transportation to and from the hotel
  • Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes

If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also receive:

  • A refund
  • An alternative flight
  • Compensation to make up for the inconvenience

Remember to inquire with airline workers about these entitlements if your plans change. They must tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.

British Airways Flight Delay Compensation

Travel setbacks from British Airways can be very frustrating. However there’s some good news: if you’re stuck waiting for more than three hours because of the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.

Regulations in the UK and EU are in your favor. You could be eligible for up to €600 per person. What matters is when you reach your destination, not when you take off. So monitor your arrival time if you want to seek compensation.

The amount you receive depends on how far you’re flying. A brief trip won’t yield as much as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed equally.

Interested in learning exactly how much you could get? Take a look at the table below to see what compensation you could receive:

Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance
0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

British Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation

Europe has regulations to help you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you need to know:

If your flight gets cancelled less than two weeks before your scheduled departure, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600. But there’s a catch – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they can get you on another flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.

The carrier can bypass compensation if they provide an alternative flight that meets the following conditions:

Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

If you agree to take another flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. The key factor is your arrival time at your destination.

The amount you could receive is based on a couple of points:

  1. How far you’re flying
  2. How late you arrive

So, even if you arrive later than planned, you may still receive some compensation.

Check out the table below to see more details:

Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less
€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

The airline might not have to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you’re just a little late, you might not get any compensation.

How to Claim Compensation from British Airways

It’s essential to understand how to claim the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s how to do it:

  • Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
  • Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

Don’t forget that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation.

Which British Airways Flights are Covered by EU261?

The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union are comprehensive in scope. They cover every flight leaving an airport within an EU country and to all flights arriving at an airport in an EU member state when an EU-based airline operates the flight.

ItineraryCovered by EU 261
Flights departing EU airports✅ Covered
Flights arriving at EU airports✅ Covered

These laws also cover airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s helpful to understand these regulations – they’re in place to assist you if issues arise with your flight. They ensure you’re not abandoned when your trip arrangements fall through.

When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation

British Airways isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, things happen that the airline is powerless against, like really bad weather or unexpected problems.

For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an emergency at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, British Airways isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over.

When these things happen, you are unlikely to get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties arise.

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