British Airways flight delay compensation: up to £520
A qualifying British Airways delay can lead to UK261 compensation of £220, £350 or up to £520 per passenger, depending on flight distance and final arrival delay. Arrival generally needs to be more than three hours late, UK261 must cover the journey, and extraordinary circumstances can remove fixed compensation. Care and reimbursement rights are separate.
Check the specific flight →How much compensation could be due?
Fixed compensation is only one part of passenger rights. The applicable regime, flight distance, final arrival delay, disruption cause and any rerouting can change the amount or remove fixed compensation entirely.
| Flight distance | Arrival delay | Reference amount |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | 3+ hours | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | 3+ hours | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | 3–4 hours | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4+ hours | £520 |
These are UK Civil Aviation Authority reference amounts for qualifying delays. They are not an automatic entitlement: UK261 coverage and the cause of the disruption still need to be established.
When a British Airways delay can qualify for UK261 compensation
The UK Civil Aviation Authority says fixed compensation may be available when a covered journey reaches the final destination more than three hours late. British Airways also says qualifying delays over three hours can support a compensation claim when the cause is within the airline's responsibility rather than a qualifying extraordinary circumstance.
Use the operating carrier and the actual itinerary to establish UK261 coverage before relying on a compensation amount.
- Confirm that British Airways operated the affected flight.
- Use the delay at the final destination, not only the departure delay.
- Keep any written BA explanation of the disruption cause.
British Airways compensation amounts are £220, £350 and up to £520
British Airways currently publishes £220 for flights up to 1,500 km, £350 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km and up to £520 for longer flights. The CAA applies the same UK261 reference amounts, with £260 for certain long-haul arrival delays between three and four hours.
The ticket price does not determine the fixed amount. Distance, arrival delay, coverage and cause do.
Extraordinary circumstances can remove fixed compensation
British Airways lists air traffic control decisions, political instability, adverse weather and security risks among circumstances that can affect compensation. The reason still needs to match what actually happened to the individual flight.
Even where fixed compensation is unavailable, that does not automatically remove care, rerouting or refund rights.
Care, expenses and the five-hour refund option
UK261 care rights are separate from compensation. Depending on flight distance and waiting time, the airline may need to provide food and drink and, where necessary, overnight accommodation and transport.
If a covered delay reaches at least five hours and you decide not to travel, a refund for the unused journey can become relevant. Keep itemised receipts where reasonable care was not provided directly.
How to claim from British Airways
The CAA recommends contacting the airline directly first. British Airways provides an online route for compensation and eligible disruption expenses. Prepare the booking reference, flight details, passenger details, actual arrival information and supporting receipts.
Official sources used for this guide
This page separates general editorial guidance from AeroDue's flight-specific checker. The sources below support the legal or operational framework described here.
Airline guidance
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