Delayed and cancelled flights are the most common problems experienced by travelers. Fortunately, 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 in which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance during flight disruption.
Here, you will find everything you need to know about Regulation EU261 and under what circumstances you are entitled to compensation.
Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004
According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers flying to or from London Gatwick Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have specific rights when facing significant cancellations or delays. These rights include:
- Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper refreshments and snacks during the waiting period;
- Access to means of communication: Passengers should be provided two free phone calls, emails, or faxes;
- Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is needed, the airline is obligated to offer assistance, including hotel stays and transport to and from the hotel;
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers can 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 was not caused by extraordinary circumstances and was within the airline’s control, passengers have the right to claim financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of the delay.
London Gatwick Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Travelers encountering flight delays at London Gatwick Airport may be eligible for compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The right to compensation is decided by the reason for the delay and whether it complies with UK and EU regulations. The amount of compensation is based 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 required to provide compensation for delays resulting from extraordinary circumstances outside their control.
London Gatwick Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation
In the event of a cancelled flight causing inconvenience at the London Gatwick Airport, under EU Regulation 261, passengers may receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them less than 14 days before departure.
Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this law. The airline may 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 |
Financial compensation may still be available even when you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is based on the flight distance and the length of the delay. You can check the table below to figure out the compensation amount 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 usually don’t provide compensation for cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
Which London Gatwick Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?
If you are departing from an airport in the European Union and flying on a flight originating in the EU operated by an airline, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004, which defines your air passenger rights. This law applies to both domestic and international flights and guarantees that you have certain rights in case of delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of which situations are covered under EU Regulation 261:
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
| Departures from London Gatwick Airport to anywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Arrivals at London Gatwick Airport from inside the EU | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at London Gatwick Airport from outside the EU | Yes | No |
How to Claim Compensation from London Gatwick Airport
Flight delays and cancellations often occur due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, mechanical problems, or crew shortages. If you encounter a flight disruption at London Gatwick Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU 261/2004.
To initiate your compensation claim, proceed with these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as 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 are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee 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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