Coping with flight disruptions can be quite upsetting. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to assist travelers when things go wrong. If you’re taking a plane in the EU, it’s smart to know about these protections. They can help you out if your flight gets messed up.
These protections are known as air passenger rights, which are legal entitlements under EU law that safeguard travelers in cases of flight cancellations, delays, and overbookings.
Understanding your rights can make handling travel complications a lot simpler. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can reduce your anxiety when things don’t go as planned.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws guarantee airlines look after their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Refreshments and snacks;
- A hotel room if you’re stranded overnight;
- Alternative transportation if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed;
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also be entitled to:
- A refund;
- A different flight option;
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience.
Remember to ask airline workers about these things 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 really annoying. However there’s some good news: if you’re stranded for more than three hours due to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Laws in the UK and EU are on your side. You could receive up to €600 per person. What matters is when you reach your destination, not when you depart. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
Your compensation depends on your flight distance. A short flight won’t get you as much money as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration.
Want to know exactly how much you could get? Take a look at the table below to see what compensation you could receive:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
To check your eligibility for British Airways delay compensation, simply enter your flight details into the our claim checker to verify your rights.
British Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has laws to help you in case of flight cancellation. 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 keep in mind – the airline can avoid paying if they rebook you on a different 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 Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight |
If you choose to board an alternative flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. What matters most is your arrival time at your destination.
Your potential compensation is determined by a couple of points:
- The distance of your flight
- The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival
Therefore, even if you arrive later than planned, you may still receive some compensation.
Refer to the table below to understand better:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
The airline may not need to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even with a slight delay, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from British Airways
It’s important to understand how to claim the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws well and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Remember that you have the 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 technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances including severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which British Airways Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws are comprehensive in scope. They apply to every flight leaving a European Union member state airport and to all flights arriving at a European Union member state airport if the flight is operated by an EU airline.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These regulations also include airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means when you travel with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s good to be aware of these laws – they’re in place to assist you if something goes wrong with your flight. They ensure you’re not stranded when your travel plans fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
British Airways isn’t always responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, things happen that the airline can’t control, like severe weather conditions or unforeseen issues.
For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an urgent situation at the airport, or air traffic controllers go on strike, British Airways cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over.
When these events take place, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues arise. However, British Airways must prove that the delay or cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances in order to avoid paying.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
08.11.202509:30 | British Airways 4647 | Tokyo (HND) Oita (OIT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.11.202509:30 | British Airways 4627 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.11.202509:10 | British Airways 4617 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.11.202508:55 | British Airways 4648 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.11.202508:15 | British Airways 7742 | Nairobi (NBO) Kilimanjaro (JRO) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
08.11.202508:10 | British Airways 4615 | Tokyo (HND) Nagoya (NGO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.11.202508:05 | British Airways 8816 | Bangalore (BLR) Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.11.202506:05 | British Airways 7453 | Christchurch (CHC) Sydney (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202523:55 | British Airways 64 | Nairobi (NBO) London (LHR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202521:50 | British Airways 8103 | Oviedo (OVD) London (LGW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202521:00 | British Airways 7749 | Mombasa (MBA) Nairobi (NBO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202520:13 | British Airways 5353 | Tampa (TPA) Miami (MIA) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:55 | British Airways 4613 | Tokyo (HND) Nagoya (NGO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:53 | British Airways 4385 | Key West (EYW) Miami (MIA) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:45 | British Airways 5222 | Chicago (ORD) Indianapolis (IND) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:25 | British Airways 3447 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:21 | British Airways 5325 | Chicago (ORD) Springfield (SGF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:20 | British Airways 4129 | Stornoway (SYY) Glasgow (GLA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:15 | British Airways 702 | London (LHR) Vienna (VIE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202519:13 | British Airways 5422 | Philadelphia (PHL) West Palm Beach (PBI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:55 | British Airways | Glasgow (GLA) London (LCY) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:45 | British Airways 7747 | Mombasa (MBA) Nairobi (NBO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:30 | British Airways 5033 | Miami (MIA) Tampa (TPA) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:25 | British Airways 4584 | Indianapolis (IND) Chicago (ORD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:20 | British Airways 4951 | Miami (MIA) Key West (EYW) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:20 | British Airways 5764 | Toronto (YYZ) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:19 | British Airways 6844 | Chicago (ORD) Champaign (CMI) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:14 | British Airways 5054 | Minneapolis (MSP) Chicago (ORD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:10 | British Airways 1490 | London (LHR) Glasgow (GLA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:08 | British Airways 1798 | Charlotte (CLT) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:02 | British Airways 4851 | La Crosse (LSE) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202518:00 | British Airways 6091 | Helsinki (HEL) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:53 | British Airways 5710 | Tampa (TPA) Philadelphia (PHL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:43 | British Airways 5137 | Chicago (ORD) Cleveland (CLE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:40 | British Airways 5704 | Tampa (TPA) Miami (MIA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:40 | British Airways 4635 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:40 | British Airways 4272 | Chicago (ORD) Madrid (MAD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:35 | British Airways 1811 | New York (MCO) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:31 | British Airways 4379 | Newark (EWR) Chicago (ORD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:30 | British Airways 4625 | Helsinki (HEL) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:21 | British Airways 5361 | Norfolk (ORF) New York (JFK) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:20 | British Airways 5990 | Boston (BOS) West Palm Beach (PBI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:20 | British Airways 6277 | Johannesburg (MQP) Johannesburg (JNB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:10 | British Airways 5123 | Chicago (ORD) Nashville (BNA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:00 | British Airways 6009 | Helsinki (HEL) Vienna (VIE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202517:00 | British Airways 6097 | Helsinki (HEL) Tokyo (KIX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:55 | British Airways 7463 | Melbourne (MEL) Singapore (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:44 | British Airways 5763 | Toronto (YYZ) Chicago (ORD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:42 | British Airways 1718 | Nashville (BNA) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:39 | British Airways 1792 | Charlotte (CLT) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:35 | British Airways 1672 | Atlanta (ATL) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:34 | British Airways 1770 | Cleveland (CLE) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:30 | British Airways 4636 | Tokyo (ITM) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:30 | British Airways 6028 | Helsinki (HEL) Riga (RIX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:26 | British Airways 1741 | Buffalo (BUF) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:25 | British Airways 4631 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:25 | British Airways 6063 | Helsinki (HEL) Vilnius (VNO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:20 | British Airways 6083 | Helsinki (HEL) Gothenburg (GOT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:15 | British Airways 6080 | London (LHR) Helsinki (HEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:04 | British Airways 5478 | Chicago (ORD) Minneapolis (MSP) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202516:00 | British Airways 6033 | Helsinki (HEL) London (LHR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:51 | British Airways 4365 | Corpus Christi (CRP) Dallas (DFW) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:47 | British Airways 4847 | Little Rock (LIT) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:45 | British Airways 297 | London (LHR) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:45 | British Airways 2437 | Dallas (DFW) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:44 | British Airways 4700 | New York (JFK) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:44 | British Airways 5594 | Cedar Rapids (CID) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:41 | British Airways 4893 | Memphis (MEM) Chicago (ORD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:41 | British Airways 4865 | Chicago (MCI) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:40 | British Airways 8329 | New York (JFK) West Palm Beach (PBI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:32 | British Airways 6652 | Charlotte (CLT) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:27 | British Airways 5706 | Tampa (TPA) Miami (MIA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:25 | British Airways 4446 | Phoenix (PHX) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:25 | British Airways 1866 | New York (DCA) Chicago (ORD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:22 | British Airways 4355 | Philadelphia (PHL) West Palm Beach (PBI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:20 | British Airways 1852 | Covington (CVG) Chicago (ORD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:15 | British Airways | London (LCY) Rotterdam (RTM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:10 | British Airways 8174 | Melbourne (MEL) Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:10 | British Airways 253 | Nassau (NAS) Georgetown (GCM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202515:00 | British Airways 5228 | Chicago (ORD) Los Angeles (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:59 | British Airways 4704 | New York (JFK) Norfolk (ORF) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:50 | British Airways 159 | London (LHR) St. George (BDA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:50 | British Airways 2435 | Dallas (DFW) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:50 | British Airways 2666 | London (LGW) Porto (OPO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:46 | British Airways 7545 | San Francisco (SFO) Seattle (SEA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:40 | British Airways 6012 | Tallinn (TLL) Helsinki (HEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:30 | British Airways 4649 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:25 | British Airways 3439 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:25 | British Airways 389 | London (LCY) Glasgow (GLA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:20 | British Airways 5445 | Philadelphia (PHL) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:15 | British Airways 4646 | Tokyo (HND) Hiroshima (HIJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:05 | British Airways 4626 | Fukuoka (FUK) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202514:00 | British Airways 2373 | Miami (MIA) Tallahassee (TLH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202513:58 | British Airways 5707 | Tampa (TPA) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202513:58 | British Airways 1930 | Chicago (ORD) Springfield (SPI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202513:57 | British Airways 7618 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202513:53 | British Airways 7606 | Las Vegas (LAS) Seattle (SEA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202513:42 | British Airways 1732 | Boston (BOS) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.11.202513:37 | British Airways 5195 | Chicago (ORD) Newark (EWR) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.11.202513:35 | British Airways 5992 | New York (JFK) West Palm Beach (PBI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
