Airline
British Airways: delay and cancellation compensation
British Airways (BA) is a UK airline in our data. What matters is which airline actually flew you, and that is not always the one on your ticket.
Which British Airways flights are covered
UK261 covers every flight it operates out of the UK, into the UK, and into the EU from outside. EU261 covers its flights out of the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland.
How much
If you arrive 3 hours or more late, the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, or you are denied boarding against your will:
- Up to 1,500 km: €250 (EU261) or £220 (UK261)
- 1,500 to 3,500 km, and flights within the EU over 1,500 km: €400 or £350
- Over 3,500 km: €600 or £520; €300 or £260 if you arrive 3 to 4 hours late
For delays and cancellations, British Airways can refuse if it proves the problem came from extraordinary circumstances it could not avoid, such as bad weather. Most technical faults and strikes by its own staff do not count. For denied boarding, extraordinary circumstances are no defence.
How to claim
Send your claim to British Airways first. We write the letter for free. If British Airways says no, answer its excuse with the court ruling. If it still says no, or you hear nothing for 8 weeks (UK) or 2 months (EU), take it to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme, the UK CAA, or the national enforcement body.
Not legal advice. Sources: Regulation 261/2004, European Commission, UK CAA.
Rather not do it yourself?
No-win-no-fee companies send the claim and go to court if needed. They keep a share of the money when they win, so check their fee first.
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