Delayed and cancelled flights are the most common problems encountered by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU Regulation 261/2004, which ensures that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The EU 261/2004 defines the conditions under which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in the event of flight disruption.
Here, you will discover everything you need to know about European Union Regulation 261 and in which situations you are entitled to compensation.
Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, travelers departing from or arriving at Heathrow Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have certain rights if they experience significant cancellations or delays. 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: If an overnight stay is required, the airline is obligated to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers have the option to select from a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
- Compensation: Depending on the flight distance and length of delay, passengers might be entitled to financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600.
Heathrow Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Flyers 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 determined by the cause of the delay and whether it complies with UK and EU laws. 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 duration 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 required to provide compensation for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.
Heathrow Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation
In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Heathrow Airport, according to EU 261, passengers are eligible to receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.
However, there are exceptions to this regulation. The airline might 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 if you agree to an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is calculated by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay. You can refer to the table below to figure out the amount of compensation you are eligible for:
| 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 usually don’t provide compensation for cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
Which Heathrow Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?
If you are departing from an airport in the European Union and flying with an airline flight originating in the EU, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004. This law guarantees that you have certain rights in the event of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and related issues. Here’s a more detailed table of what situations are protected by EU Regulation 261 and which are not:
| 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 cancellations and delays often occur due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or staffing issues. If you encounter a flight disruption at Heathrow Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU 261/2004.
To initiate a compensation claim, proceed with these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws well and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
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 | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18.06.202509:05 | Qantas 8008 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202509:05 | Emirates 8 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202507:45 | United Airlines 9900 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202507:45 | Hainan Airlines 8540 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202507:45 | Air Canada 6343 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202522:45 | DHL Air 2665 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202522:30 | Aer Lingus 8805 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202522:30 | Iberia 3535 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202522:30 | British Airways 105 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202521:05 | Air India 130 | Heathrow (EGLL) (VABB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202520:55 | American Airlines 6659 | Heathrow (EGLL) (VABB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202520:55 | British Airways 199 | Heathrow (EGLL) (VABB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202520:55 | Iberia 3580 | Heathrow (EGLL) (VABB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202519:50 | Qantas 8032 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202519:50 | Garuda Indonesia 8866 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202519:50 | Emirates 32 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202519:50 | SA AVIANCA 6250 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202519:50 | Icelandair 6040 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:50 | Icelandair 6036 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:50 | Qantas 8030 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:50 | Emirates 30 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:30 | AlphaSky 5267 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:30 | Aer Lingus 8749 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:30 | Iberia 3507 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:30 | British Airways 49 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:30 | American Airlines 6908 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:30 | Finnair 5449 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202514:25 | Qantas 8002 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202514:25 | Garuda Indonesia 8862 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202514:25 | Icelandair 6034 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202514:25 | Emirates 2 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202512:50 | British Airways 107 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202512:50 | American Airlines 7078 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202512:50 | Iberia 3537 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202510:15 | JetBlue Airways 6288 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202510:15 | British Airways 868 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202510:15 | American Airlines 6601 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202510:15 | Jet Linx Aviation 7123 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202510:15 | Iberia 3692 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202509:40 | Japan Airlines 42 | Heathrow (EGLL) Haneda Airport (RJTT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202509:40 | Iberia 7196 | Heathrow (EGLL) Haneda Airport (RJTT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202509:40 | British Airways 4608 | Heathrow (EGLL) Haneda Airport (RJTT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202509:05 | Emirates 8 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202509:05 | Qantas 8008 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202508:25 | JetBlue Airways 1621 | Heathrow (EGLL) (KBOS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202508:25 | TAP Air Portugal 4289 | Heathrow (EGLL) (KBOS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:55 | Malaysia Airlines 9718 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:55 | Jet Linx Aviation 6527 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:55 | Qatar Airways 9761 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:55 | British Airways 392 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:55 | American Airlines 7086 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:20 | British Airways 866 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:20 | Jet Linx Aviation 6547 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:20 | American Airlines 6685 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:20 | JetBlue Airways 6256 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202507:20 | Iberia 3690 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202506:50 | Brussels Airlines 2104 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202506:50 | United Airlines 9924 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202506:50 | Air Canada 6330 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202521:55 | British Airways 251 | Heathrow (EGLL) Arturo Merino Benitez (SCEL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202521:55 | Finnair 5909 | Heathrow (EGLL) Arturo Merino Benitez (SCEL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202521:55 | Iberia 3796 | Heathrow (EGLL) Arturo Merino Benitez (SCEL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202518:40 | American Airlines 7111 | Heathrow (EGLL) Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202518:40 | Qatar Airways 5922 | Heathrow (EGLL) Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202518:40 | Jet Linx Aviation 7701 | Heathrow (EGLL) Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202518:40 | British Airways 942 | Heathrow (EGLL) Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:50 | Icelandair 6036 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:50 | Qantas 8030 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:50 | Emirates 30 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:30 | American Airlines 6908 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:30 | AlphaSky 5267 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:30 | Iberia 3507 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:30 | Finnair 5449 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:30 | Aer Lingus 8749 | Heathrow (EGLL) Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202514:25 | Qantas 8002 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202514:25 | Icelandair 6034 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202514:25 | Emirates 2 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202514:25 | Garuda Indonesia 8862 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:50 | American Airlines 7078 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:50 | British Airways 107 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:50 | Iberia 3537 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:00 | British Airways 394 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:00 | American Airlines 7088 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:00 | Malaysia Airlines 9720 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:00 | Qatar Airways 8293 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:00 | Jet Linx Aviation 7705 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202512:00 | JetBlue Airways 6286 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202511:05 | Singapore Airlines 2824 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202511:05 | Air Canada 6315 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202511:05 | Brussels Airlines 2094 | Heathrow (EGLL) Brussels Airport (EBBR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202509:40 | Japan Airlines 42 | Heathrow (EGLL) Haneda Airport (RJTT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202509:40 | British Airways 4608 | Heathrow (EGLL) Haneda Airport (RJTT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202509:40 | Iberia 7196 | Heathrow (EGLL) Haneda Airport (RJTT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202509:05 | Qantas 8008 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202509:05 | Emirates 8 | Heathrow (EGLL) Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (OMDB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:50 | British Airways 866 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:50 | JetBlue Airways 6256 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:50 | American Airlines 6685 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:50 | Jet Linx Aviation 6547 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:50 | Iberia 3690 | Heathrow (EGLL) Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
