British Airways compensation claim
Delayed or cancelled British Airways flight: check your compensation
Was your British Airways flight delayed, cancelled or overbooked, or did a disruption cause you to miss a connecting flight? Depending on your route, your delay at the final destination and the cause of the disruption, you could receive up to €600 per passenger.
Depending on the distance and the applicable legal framework
Your route determines which passenger-rights rules apply
Fly Claim is paid only if your claim is successful
Can you receive compensation for a British Airways flight?
A British Airways flight may be covered by European passenger-rights rules when it departs from an airport located in the European Union, even though British Airways is a British airline.
Certain flights departing from or arriving in the United Kingdom may also be covered by the UK passenger-rights regime. The assessment therefore depends on the airports involved and the airline that actually operated the flight.
The departure airport
A departure from the European Union is generally covered by European passenger-rights rules.
The destination
An arrival in the European Union or the United Kingdom may affect the legal framework that applies.
The operating carrier
Check the “operated by” information on your booking confirmation and boarding pass.
The cause of the disruption
A technical fault, crew issue, weather condition or air-traffic-control restriction will not be assessed in the same way.
The fact that British Airways is no longer an EU airline does not remove your passenger rights when the flight departs from an airport located in the European Union.
Is your claim covered by EU261 or the UK passenger-rights regime?
European and UK passenger-rights rules provide similar protections in cases of significant delay, flight cancellation or denied boarding. The applicable regime mainly depends on the journey.
European protection
It may apply in particular to British Airways flights departing from an airport located in the European Union.
UK protection
It may cover certain flights departing from or arriving in the United Kingdom, depending on the route and the operating carrier.
The same disruption cannot result in two fixed compensation payments for the same loss, even when more than one legal framework may need to be considered.
Was your flight actually operated by British Airways?
British Airways sells certain flights under codeshare agreements. A flight number beginning with BA may therefore sometimes correspond to an aircraft operated by another airline.
A compensation claim should generally be addressed to the airline that actually operated the disrupted flight.
Where can you find the responsible airline?
- on the booking confirmation;
- next to the “operated by” information;
- on the boarding pass;
- in the airline’s application;
- in the detailed flight information.
Compensation for a delayed British Airways flight
Compensation may be payable when a British Airways flight reaches its final destination with a significant delay and the airline cannot demonstrate that the disruption resulted from extraordinary circumstances reasonably beyond its control.
The delay at departure is not always the delay used to assess the claim. The actual arrival time must be compared with the originally scheduled arrival time.
Information to collect
- British Airways flight number and flight date;
- departure and arrival airports;
- the originally scheduled arrival time;
- the actual arrival time;
- the reason given for the delay;
- the replacement itinerary in the event of rerouting.
Your British Airways flight was cancelled
In the event of a cancellation, you should check when British Airways informed you, the reason provided and the schedule of the replacement journey offered.
Ticket reimbursement, rerouting and possible fixed compensation are separate passenger rights.
Replacement flight
Compare the new departure and arrival times with those of the journey you originally booked.
Ticket refund
In certain situations, you may choose a refund when you decide not to continue with the journey.
Accepting a replacement flight does not automatically remove your possible right to compensation.
Missed connection with British Airways
A delay on the first flight segment may prevent you from boarding your connecting flight, particularly during a journey through London.
When the different flights are included in a single booking, the delay suffered at the final destination may be taken into account.
Useful documents
- the complete booking confirmation;
- boarding passes for each flight segment;
- the actual arrival time of the first flight;
- the new flight allocated to you;
- the arrival time at the final destination;
- receipts for meals, accommodation or transport.
Overbooking or denied boarding with British Airways
Involuntary denied boarding may entitle you to compensation when you have a valid booking, arrived on time and presented valid travel documents.
This situation must be distinguished from denied boarding caused by arriving late at the gate, incorrect travel documents or justified safety and security reasons.
Different rules may apply when you accepted a commercial offer or another benefit in exchange for giving up your seat.
Meals, accommodation and transport after a British Airways disruption
When a delay or cancellation results in a significant waiting time, British Airways may be required to provide assistance appropriate to the circumstances.
Meals and refreshments
Reasonable refreshments and meals may be due depending on the length of the waiting time.
Accommodation
Hotel accommodation may be required when the new departure is scheduled for the following day.
Transport
Transport between the airport and your accommodation may also be covered.
Information
Keep all emails, text messages and notifications received during the disruption.
Keep itemised receipts for any necessary and reasonable expenses. British Airways indicates that certain additional expenses may be submitted for reimbursement.
How much can you claim for a British Airways flight?
When the European regime applies and the eligibility conditions are met, the amount mainly depends on the distance of the affected journey.
Up to 1,500 km
European reference amount for eligible short-distance journeys.
Between 1,500 and 3,500 km
Amount applicable to certain medium-distance journeys and longer European flights.
More than 3,500 km
Maximum European reference amount for certain long-distance journeys.
For claims covered exclusively by the UK regime, the compensation amounts are expressed in pounds sterling. Fly Claim checks the applicable legal framework before submitting the claim.
Which documents should you keep for a British Airways claim?
Travel documents
- booking confirmation;
- British Airways booking reference;
- flight number and date;
- boarding passes;
- the original itinerary and replacement journey.
Evidence of the disruption
- emails and text messages from British Airways;
- screenshots from the application or website;
- photos of airport information screens;
- the actual arrival time;
- receipts for meals, accommodation or transport.
Frequently asked questions about British Airways claims
How much can I receive for a delayed British Airways flight?
Under the European regime, the reference compensation amounts may be €250, €400 or €600. The UK regime provides comparable amounts expressed in pounds sterling.
Is British Airways an EU airline?
No. British Airways is a British airline. However, European passenger-rights rules may still apply when a flight departs from an airport located in the European Union.
Can I claim after missing a connection in London?
This may be possible when the flights were included in a single booking and you reached your final destination with a significant delay.
My BA flight was operated by another airline. Who is responsible?
The claim should generally be directed to the airline that actually operated the flight. Check the “operated by” information.
Does British Airways have to reimburse my hotel or meal expenses?
Certain necessary and reasonable expenses may be claimed when the required assistance was not provided. Keep all itemised receipts.
Do I have to pay Fly Claim before my claim is processed?
No. There are no upfront fees when submitting your claim. A commission is charged only when compensation is successfully obtained.
Check your compensation in just a few minutes
Enter your flight number, itinerary and details of the disruption. There are no upfront fees.