Flight delays and cancelations present big headaches, even when you’re flying on a carrier like British Airways. Thankfully, you’re covered under EC 261, a powerful law that seeks to stop these controllable delays in their tracks. Here’s all you need to know to file a claim of up to €600.
What are Your Passengers Rights with British Airways?
EU 261 protects your rights, regardless of the airline that you’re traveling on, as long as you’re in the European Union or meet other qualifying circumstances. Depending on the circumstances of your delay or cancellation, you have the right to a refund, rerouting, and care, including meals, accommodation, and more.
Flight Delay Compensation
When your flight is delayed more than two hours, you are entitled to basic care, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and transportation (where applicable), and access to communication. If your delay is three hours or more, you can also request reimbursement and transportation to your point of origin.
You are also entitled to compensation, which can be paid as a non-fundable transportation voucher or refundable voucher.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
Flight Cancellation Compensation
You may be entitled to additional compensation if you were notified of the cancellation less than two weeks before the departure and your new arrival and departure times are significantly different than your original times.
You’ll need to contact customer service to receive your compensation, which can be issued as non-refundable or refundable vouchers.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
The amount may vary based on the type of compensation you request, and you might get a better value when you choose their transportation credit.
Calculate your compensation
What to Do in Case of Delays or Cancellations?
Unfortunately, cancelation and delays happen. Here’s all you need to know.
Delays
- If your flight is delayed, take note of your original departure time, the date of which you were notified, and any other information that is relevant.
- If your delay is two hours or more and you’re already at the airport, you are entitled to care. Work with customer service to receive meals, refreshments, accommodation, transportation, communication, and more, though what you are entitled to will depend on the length of your delay.
- After you get to your final destination, contact customer service to receive additional compensation. Depending on the length of your flight and the destination, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
Cancellation
- If your flight is canceled, take note of your original flight, the date you were notified, and any other information that could be helpful.
- If your cancelation occurred before you arrived at the airport, work with customer service to rebook your flight or rebook it yourself.
- If your flight was canceled while at the airport, work with customer service to help get you on the next available flight. If you are entitled to care, they should offer it to you at this point.
- Following your flight, contact customer service for additional compensation, providing all documentation. You could receive up to €600 in compensation.
British Airways Refund Policy
British Airways has a refund policy, so if you face a flight issue and need a full or partial refund, you should contact customer service. They can help you secure your refund, depending on the circumstances of your flight.
You can still claim compensation under EC 261 if you get a refund on your flight as long as you qualify. For example, you have to be at least 2 hours delayed or your flight cancelled within 14 days. If so, you could qualify for up to €600 in compensation on top of your refund from British Airways.
Recently Disrupted British Airways Flights
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|
About British Airways
British Airways is dedicated to connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain and have been doing so for more than 100 years. They have a fleet size of 257 carriers that service 183 destinations across the world. They’re also a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, so they offer codesharing agreements with even more airlines to help you get anywhere you need to be.
Their headquarters are in London, with hubs in London-Heathrow and London-Gatwick airlines. They are the flagship carrier of the United Kingdom and the second largest UK-based carrier based on fleet size and passengers carried behind easyJet.
British Airways Disruption Statistics
| Year | All Disrupted Flights | Cancelled Flights | Delayed Flights |
|---|
Conclusion
If you’re traveling in the EU on British Airways, you are covered under EC 261. Not only are they an EU-based carrier, but you’re also in eligible airspace. Based on the circumstances of your issue, you could be eligible to receive up to €600 – all you need to do is file to claim. This page was updated on June 2023.