Delayed and cancelled flights are the most common issues experienced by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU 261 regulation, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The European Union Regulation 261/2004 specifies the situations when passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in the event of flight disruption.
Here, you will find everything you need to know about Regulation EU261 and in which situations you are eligible for compensation.
Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004
According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers flying to or from Heathrow Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have certain rights when facing significant delays or cancellations. These rights include:
- Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper meals and beverages during the waiting period;
- Access to means of communication: Passengers should be offered two free phone calls, emails, or faxes;
- Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is required, the airline is required to offer assistance, including hotel stays and transport to and from the hotel;
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Passengers may select either a full refund of their ticket, including any extra costs, or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination;
- Compensation: If the delay did not result from extraordinary circumstances and was within the airline’s control, travelers have the right to claim financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of the delay.
Heathrow Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Passengers encountering flight delays at Heathrow Airport could be entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The eligibility for compensation is decided by the reason for the delay and whether it follows UK and EU regulations. The amount of compensation is determined on the time of arrival at the destination rather than departure time and is influenced by the distance of the flight and the length of the delay.
| 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 |
Keep in mind that airlines are not obligated to provide compensation for flight delays caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.
Heathrow Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation
In the event of a cancelled flight causing inconvenience at the Heathrow Airport, according to EU 261, travelers can receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline notifies them less than 14 days before departure.
Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this law. The airline could be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets certain criteria, letting you arrive at your destination with the minimal delay possible:
| 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 |
Compensation might still be available even when you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is calculated by the flight distance and the length of the delay. You can check this table to figure out the amount of compensation you are entitled to:
| 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 |
Keep in mind that airlines typically don’t offer compensation for cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as severe weather or strikes by air traffic controllers.
Which Heathrow Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?
If you are departing from an airport within the European Union and flying on a flight originating in the EU operated by an airline, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004, which defines your air passenger rights. This law applies to both domestic and international flights and ensures that you have certain rights in the event of delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of which cases are covered under EU Regulation 261:
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
| Departures from Heathrow Airport to anywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Arrivals at Heathrow Airport from inside the EU | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at Heathrow Airport from outside the EU | Yes | No |
How to Claim Compensation from Heathrow Airport
Flight disruptions often occur due to factors such as adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or staffing issues. If you experience a flight disruption at Heathrow Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
To initiate a compensation claim, take the following steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws well and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
It is important to note that the compensation claim process requires documents such as booking confirmation and boarding pass.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled? Find your flight in the table below and use our claims checker to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Did not find your flight in our table? Fill in our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
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