EU261 airline claim checker

British Airways Flight Delay Compensation

British Airways flights from the UK, into the UK, and departing the EU are covered by UK261 or EU261. If your final arrival was 3+ hours late for a reason within BA control, you may be owed £220-£520 per passenger.

3h+
Arrival delay
EUR600
Max claim
0%
Upfront cost
British Airways logo
British Airways
UK carrier
Claim range
€250 – €600 per passenger
Upfront cost
None — no-win, no-fee
Claim window
Flights up to 6 years old
Typical settlement
4–12 weeks

Step 1 - enter flight details

Check Your BA Claim

quick answer

When BA Passengers Can Claim

The main test is your final arrival delay, route coverage, and whether the airline could reasonably control the cause.

Arrived 3+ hours late

The delay is measured at final destination arrival, not departure from the gate.

EU261 or UK261 applies

Covered routes include EU/UK departures and many arrivals on European airlines.

Not extraordinary

Weather, airport security, and air traffic control can exempt airlines. Technical and staffing issues often do not.

Claim still in time

Time limits vary by country, often 3 to 6 years. Older flights may still be worth checking.

Example BA Routes

  • London Heathrow or Gatwick to Europe, the US, or Asia
  • Any flight departing the UK or EU on British Airways
  • Long-haul BA arrivals into London delayed 4+ hours (highest tier)

Common Claim Issues

  • BA cites air traffic control or weather when the root cause was crew or technical
  • A missed connection at Heathrow caused a long final-destination delay
  • BA offered Avios or vouchers instead of statutory cash compensation
  • Long-haul delays of 3-4 hours qualify for 50% of the highest tier, not zero

fixed by law

EU261 Compensation Bands

EUR250
Short-haul
Flights up to 1,500 km
EUR400
Medium-haul
Flights from 1,500 to 3,500 km
EUR600
Long-haul
Flights over 3,500 km

common questions

BA Delay Compensation FAQ

How much compensation does British Airways pay for delays?
Under UK261, eligible BA passengers receive £220 (short haul), £350 (medium haul), or £520 (long haul) when the final arrival is 3+ hours late. Long-haul delays of 3-4 hours pay 50% of the £520 tier.
Does UK261 cover BA flights to the USA?
Yes when departing the UK. A BA flight from London to New York delayed 4+ hours on arrival can qualify for £520 per passenger if the cause was within BA control.
Can I claim if BA rebooked me after a cancellation?
Possibly. Rebooking covers your travel, but compensation is separate. If the cancellation was announced under 14 days before departure and the replacement arrived significantly later, you can still claim.