Flight disruptions can happen when you least expect them, and nothing is more frustrating than arriving at the airport only to find your flight canceled or delayed. That’s exactly what thousands of travelers experienced recently after a major air traffic control failure caused widespread delays and cancellations across the UK.
While the technical problem has now been fixed, the travel chaos it caused impacted more than 150 canceled flights and delayed thousands more. Many passengers were left stuck at airports or scrambling to rebook travel plans.
If your trip has been affected by a sudden cancellation or delay, it’s important to know what you’re entitled to as an airline passenger. In this guide, we’ll walk you through your legal rights, how to claim a refund or compensation, and which flight delay regulations can protect you when things go wrong.
What Airlines Must Provide When Your Flight Gets Disrupted
When your flight is delayed or canceled, the airline has a legal obligation to take care of you. They must offer assistance during the disruption and make sure you reach your destination without asking you to pay anything extra.
This includes providing meals and drinks during long waits and arranging hotel accommodations if an overnight stay becomes necessary. The airline is also responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight to your destination at no added cost.
If you lose money on things like prepaid hotels that you can no longer use, your first step should be to file a claim with your card company, as long as you used that card to pay for the booking.
If the card provider does not cover the loss, your travel insurance policy might help. Coverage can differ widely. According to recent data from Defaqto, around 94 percent of travel insurance policies include protection for trip abandonment. However, only 30 percent offer standard coverage for broader travel disruptions.
Want tools that actually help when trips go sideways? Click below to see our best travel tools with strong trip protections.
Can You Get a Refund or Be Rebooked If Your Flight Gets Canceled
If your flight is canceled and it falls under UK flight compensation laws, your airline must give you two options. You can either request a full refund or ask to be placed on a new flight to your destination.
This rule applies no matter when the cancellation happens, whether it’s weeks in advance or right before departure. You are entitled to get your money back for any unused portion of your ticket.
For example, if you booked a round-trip flight and the outbound flight is canceled, you can request a refund for the entire trip, not just the canceled leg.
If you still want to travel, your airline has to arrange an alternative flight for you. And if there is another airline that can get you to your destination significantly sooner or a more practical transportation option is available, you have the right to be moved to that alternative.
If your flight is operated by a non-UK airline and is arriving into the UK, make sure to read the booking terms and conditions. These may affect your options for getting rebooked or refunded.
Are You Eligible for Additional Compensation Due to Flight Disruptions
Not all flight delays or cancellations qualify for extra compensation. If the disruption happened because of factors outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather, airport staff strikes, air traffic control issues, or emergencies like fires, then you likely will not receive any extra payout.
However, if the disruption was the airline’s fault, UK law gives you certain rights that could entitle you to financial compensation. These rules apply if you are flying out of a UK airport on any airline, landing in the UK on a UK or EU airline, or flying into an EU airport on a UK-based airline.
What you can claim depends on the reason for the cancellation and how far in advance the airline gave you notice. If your flight gets canceled with less than two weeks’ notice, you may be eligible for compensation based on the replacement flight’s timing.
The amount you can claim also depends on the total distance of your flight. Here’s what UK law currently allows:
- For short-haul flights under 1,500 kilometers, like Glasgow to Amsterdam, you may receive up to £220 per passenger
- For medium-haul routes between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, such as East Midlands to Marrakesh, you may get up to £350 per passenger
- For long-haul flights over 3,500 kilometers, like London to New York, you may qualify for up to £520 per passenger
These compensation amounts reflect the inconvenience and lost time caused by avoidable airline disruptions.
Will the Airline Cover Your Meals and Hotel Stay During a Delay or Cancellation
If you’re stranded at the airport or stuck in another country because your flight was canceled, the airline has a legal duty to take care of you. They must provide support while you wait to travel again. This support typically includes:
- Reasonable meals and drinks, usually provided as airport vouchers
- A way to stay in touch with others, often through reimbursed phone calls or internet access
- Free hotel accommodation if you need to stay overnight before your rescheduled flight
- Transportation between the airport and your hotel
If your airline does not offer this support on its own, you have the right to make these arrangements yourself and ask the airline to reimburse you afterward. The Civil Aviation Authority recommends keeping all receipts and spending only what is necessary.
You are also entitled to these same services if your flight is delayed, not just canceled. The rules depend on the length of your delay and the type of flight:
- Over two hours for short-haul flights
- Over three hours for medium-haul flights
- Over four hours for long-haul flights
If your flight is delayed more than five hours and you decide not to travel, you can request a full refund for your ticket.
What Can You Claim If You Booked a Package Holiday
If you booked a package holiday through a travel company that is a member of ABTA, you have extra protection when flight cancellations happen. In this case, you are entitled to either a full refund or a suitable replacement flight that gets you to your destination.
These rights are part of the protections included in UK package holiday regulations, which are designed to safeguard travelers booking combined travel and accommodation. If your trip falls under this category, your holiday provider must step in and offer a fair solution when your flight is disrupted.
What Happens If a Flight Delay Makes You Miss Work
If a delayed flight causes you to miss work, airlines are not required to compensate you for lost income. This kind of financial loss is not covered under standard airline policies.
Most travel insurance plans also do not include coverage for missed work or lost wages due to travel delays.
If you think you will arrive late for work because of a disruption to your flight, it is your responsibility to inform your employer as soon as possible. Legal experts recommend working out how to handle the absence in advance. You may need to use your annual leave or agree to unpaid time off.
Unless your employment contract says otherwise, your employer is not legally required to pay you for time missed due to travel delays.
Stay Informed and Supported When Travel Plans Change
Flight delays and cancellations can be frustrating, especially when you are unsure about your rights or what steps to take next. That is why we built TheMilesAcademy’s free community. It is a place where travelers like you can stay informed, ask questions, and get practical advice when things go off track.
In our community, you will find the latest updates on airline passenger rights, tips for handling flight disruptions, guides on how to claim compensation, and support from frequent flyers who understand the challenges of unexpected travel issues.
If you want to feel more prepared and confident the next time your travel plans are interrupted, we welcome you to join us. It is completely free and gives you access to expert-level insights that help you make smart decisions while traveling.
