Everything you need to know about flight delays & cancellations

Tamara Hinson

Recently, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) released figures which showed that over a third of flights (36%, to be precise) in 2023 were delayed by more than 15 minutes.

Understand when and how compensation for flight delays applies © Alexey Lesik - Adobe Stock Image

And there are more and more causes for these delays, a reminder of which is the US-based Federal Aviation Administration's recent announcement that climate-related issues such as extreme weather now account for two-thirds of flight delays.

The good news? We've got the lowdown on what to do if your flight is delayed, along with the nitty-gritty relating to the different types of delay and the different levels of compensation you're entitled to. Oh and most importantly, how to get your hands on it.

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Know your rights

We're not suggesting you spend hours researching the finer details of airline passenger charters, but knowing the basics can save you time and cash (and possibly your sanity) in the event of a delay.

In summary, there are various laws in place to ensure delayed passengers are fairly compensated, although these laws don't apply to all flights or airlines (hence the suggestion for a little research).

"Since leaving the EU, UK flights are covered by a law which protects passenger's rights when they're faced with travel delays, and this law is known as UK261" says Matthew Hall, aviation expert and managing director of airport transfer providers Hoppa^*.

"This law applies if you are departing from or arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline leaving an EU airport or arriving in the EU or EAA (European Economic Area, which includes EU Member States and the three EEA EFTA States: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) on a UK airline."

Remember the three-hour rule

If your flight is delayed by more than three hours, you'll be protected by the same UK law which applies to passengers whose flight was cancelled. "You'll be entitled to the same amount of compensation as a cancellation, although this compensation depends on the length of the flight route," says Hall.

Know your rights when it comes to a cancelled or delayed flight © Tiagozr - Adobe Stock Image

It's important to know that one of the biggest factors when it comes to compensation is whether your flight is short, medium or long haul. Short-haul flights cover up to 1,500 km, medium-haul flights cover distances of between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and long-haul flights cover a minimum of 3,500 km.

It's good to talk

In an ideal world, your airline will update you via text or email. If the flight is delayed when you're already at the gate, speak to airline staff as soon as possible; it's highly likely, in the event of significant delays, that gate staff will soon make themselves scarce (and, full disclosure, we'd probably do the same).

Communication is key - but keep it friendly! © Monkey Business - Adobe Stock Image

Calling the airline's customer services line is always worth a shot if only to get a case reference number and an official log of your initial request for help, although they'll often simply refer you to staff at the airport.

Claim your coffee (or sandwich, beer or burger...)

As long as your flight is covered by the aforementioned law, your airline is legally obliged to provide you with certain things. "It must provide you with food and drink (usually in the form of vouchers) and access to communication," says Hall.

"If your flight is delayed overnight then you are entitled to free accommodation, including free transport to the hotel and back to the airport."

Be aware that the airline might ask you to arrange your own accommodation, which it will then refund (although this type of situation probably isn't the time to be booking a five-star spa resort).

Be prepared & think ahead

We're huge fans of some tactical packing, just in case; more specifically, keeping certain items in your carry-on, rather than your checked baggage. "Carry a travel kit with snacks, water, power banks and entertainment for little ones to help you stay comfortable and prepared for unexpected waits," says Andrew Tolman, head of travel insurance at travel insurance experts Allianz Partners.

Don't just think about the immediate situation; if your delay impacts connecting flights or means you'll miss the first night of your hotel stay, contact the airlines, tour operators or hotels as soon as possible.

Bear in mind that passengers who miss outward bound legs of return flights could find that the airline has cancelled the return leg on the assumption the passenger is simply a no-show, so if you've got a second connecting flight which isn't linked to the delayed flight, keep the impacted airline informed.

Deal directly with the airline

Even if you booked through a tour operator, any claims, such as claims for additional costs incurred, should be filed directly with the airline. All airlines have a form on their websites for this exact purpose.

And if you don't hear back, or feel you're being denied compensation you're entitled to, check if your airline is one of those signed up to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme on the CAA's website.

If they are, you can file a complaint to the CAA. Most major airlines, including British Airways^*, Virgin Atlantic^* and TUI Airways^*, are part of this scheme.

Be an early bird

In an ideal world, delays wouldn't happen at all, and there's often little we can do to control the issues which cause them. However, you can reduce the chance of delays with a little tactical booking, and while nobody likes an early start, the earlier the flight, the less likely it is to be postponed.

"Early morning flights are less prone to delays since they're often the first of the day, and the effects of cascading delays from earlier flights are minimised," says Tolman. "Flights scheduled during busy periods, late afternoon, evenings or holidays, are more likely to experience delays due to high traffic and congestion."

Do your research

Spending a few minutes checking your airline's performance history can pay huge dividends, especially if you're considering saving money by flying with a lesser-known airline.

Sure, Kazakhstan's FlyArystan might well be a cheap option if you're exploring Central Asia, but it's also worth noting they ranked 100 (out of 100, to add) in Skytrax's World's Top Airlines list in 2024. "Always check the airline's performance," says Tolman, who suggests researching the airport, too. "Some airports consistently operate more punctually than others."

Research weather conditions, too: if you're flying into or out of a region known for hurricanes, snowstorms or other weather events, brush up on the time of year these are most likely to happen.

Ready to book your next trip? Browse the latest offers on fares from UK and international airlines in our complete collection of flight deals.

Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson is a freelance travel writer who loves getting off the beaten path. Specialising in adventure travel, she often covers outdoor activities such as snowboarding, mountain biking and scuba diving. Tamara's work features regularly in newspapers such as The Telegraph and The Independent along with numerous travel websites.

Posted on Wednesday 11th December 2024 in: Travel tips