If your British Airways flight arrived 3+ hours late for a reason the airline controls, UK261 can pay £220-£520 per passenger, depending on distance. Flights between the U.S. and London Heathrow are long-haul, so the usual amount is £520.
How much British Airways owes for a delay
| Under 1,500 km | £220 |
| 1,500-3,500 km | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km (all U.S.-Europe flights) | £520 |
For delays of 3-4 hours on flights over 3,500 km, the airline may cut the amount by half.
When British Airways has to pay
- Flights leaving the UK on British Airways are always covered.
- Flights to the UK from the U.S. on British Airways are covered too, because it's a UK airline. The same flight on a U.S. airline is only covered when leaving the UK.
- You arrived 3+ hours late, measured when the doors open at your final destination.
- The cause was in the airline's control: crew shortages, technical problems, late incoming aircraft. Weather, air traffic control and security usually don't count.
- Cancelled with under 14 days' notice? You're owed the same amounts, unless the airline rebooked you onto a flight arriving close to your original time.
How to claim
- Note your flight number, date and booking reference.
- Use our free calculator, which writes a claim letter you can send to British Airways yourself.
- Or let a claim service handle it; they keep a share only if you win.
Affiliate link. You can always claim directly from British Airways for free.
Also see: Virgin Atlantic delay compensation · Proof of delay for insurance · Stranded right now?
Common questions
How much does British Airways pay for a delayed flight?
Under UK261, British Airways owes £220 to £520 per passenger for arrival delays of 3+ hours caused by the airline. Flights between the U.S. and Europe usually qualify for £520.
Does British Airways pay compensation for flights from the U.S.?
Yes. Because British Airways is a UK airline, UK261 covers its flights from the U.S. to the UK as well as flights leaving the UK.