Flight Delay Compensation Calculator: What You're Owed Under UK261 & EU261

• Your flight departs from any UK airport – regardless of which airline operates it
• Your flight arrives at a UK airport and is operated by a UK airline (e.g. British Airways, easyJet)

• Your flight departs from any EU airport – regardless of airline
• Your flight arrives at an EU airport and is operated by an EU carrier

• Severe weather that makes flying unsafe – not merely inconvenient
• Air traffic control strikes or restrictions outside airline control
• Security threats or airport closures mandated by authorities
• Political instability or civil unrest at the destination

• Technical faults with the aircraft – these are the airline's operational responsibility
• Staff shortages or crew unavailability
• Late arrival of a previous aircraft (unless caused by a genuine extraordinary event)
• Commercial decisions such as overbooking or schedule changes
• Bad weather that was foreseeable 24–48 hours in advance

Under UK law, you have 6 years from the date of the delayed or cancelled flight to submit a claim. EU member states vary – most allow between 2 and 5 years. Don't assume older delays are out of time without checking the specific rules for your departure country.

Yes. Cancellations are covered under the same regulations as delays. If your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, you're entitled to compensation unless an extraordinary circumstance applies. If cancelled more than 14 days in advance, you're entitled to a full refund or rebooking but not the fixed compensation amount.

It depends who is striking. An airline staff strike (pilots, cabin crew) is NOT an extraordinary circumstance – the airline is responsible for its labour relations. An air traffic control strike or airport worker strike IS typically considered extraordinary.

Yes. The ticket price is irrelevant – compensation is a fixed amount based on distance, not what you paid. Even passengers who travelled on a completely free ticket are entitled to the full compensation amount.

If you accepted a voucher as compensation without being clearly informed of your cash entitlement, you may be able to challenge this. Accepting vouchers under pressure or without full information doesn't necessarily waive your right to cash compensation.

Yes. UK261 and EU261 apply equally to all airlines operating eligible routes – Ryanair and easyJet are subject to exactly the same rules as British Airways or Lufthansa. Budget airlines have a reputation for disputing claims, but the legal obligation is identical.

Each individual passenger on a delayed flight is entitled to their own compensation. A family of four on a qualifying long-haul delay would be entitled to 4 × £520 = £2,080 in total. Submit one claim covering all passengers on the booking.

Yes. Farlounge's compensation calculator is completely free. We don't charge a commission or take a percentage of your claim – unlike many third-party claims companies who take 25–35% of your compensation.