London Gatwick Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Flight delays and cancellations are the most common issues faced by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU Regulation 261/2004, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The EU 261/2004 specifies the situations when passengers are eligible for compensation and assistance in the event of flight disruption.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about Regulation EU261 and in which situations you are entitled to compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers flying to or from London Gatwick 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 refreshments 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 needed, the airline is obligated to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
• Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers can 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.

London Gatwick Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Flyers facing 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 eligibility for compensation is determined by the cause of 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 obligated to provide compensation for flight delays caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.

London Gatwick Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In the event of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the London Gatwick Airport, under EU 261/2004, flyers are eligible to get 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 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

Financial compensation may 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 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 usually don’t provide compensation for flight cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside 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 traveling on an airline flight from the EU, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004. This law guarantees that you have certain rights in case of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and related issues. Here’s a more detailed table of which cases are protected by EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

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 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, technical problems, or staffing issues. If you encounter a flight disruption at London Gatwick Airport, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

To initiate your compensation claim, take the following steps:

1. Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws well and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.