Your Rights If Your Flight Is Disrupted

Airlines owe you more than they'll voluntarily offer. Here's exactly what you're entitled to — and how to get it.

The short version

✈️ Flight cancelled?

Full cash refund within 7 days OR rebooking on the next available flight. Airlines cannot force vouchers on you.

⏱️ Flight delayed?

Free meals, drinks and communication from the airline. If overnight, they must provide a hotel and transport.

💰 Compensation?

You may be owed £220–£520 (€250–€600) in cash compensation depending on flight distance and delay length.

⚠️ The catch

Airlines can avoid compensation (not refunds) by claiming "extraordinary circumstances." The oil crisis may qualify — but your refund rights are unaffected.

Your rights in detail

These rights apply to all flights departing from UK/EU airports, and to flights arriving in the UK/EU on UK/EU-based airlines.

✓ Cancelled flight — refund rights

If your airline cancels your flight, you have two options and the choice is yours, not the airline's. You can either get a full cash refund within 7 days for the unused portion of your ticket, or you can be rebooked onto the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost — including on a competitor airline if necessary. Airlines cannot force you to accept vouchers, credit notes, or future travel credits instead of cash. If they try, politely decline and cite UK261 Article 8 (or EU261 Article 8).

✓ Compensation for cancellations

On top of your refund, you may be entitled to additional cash compensation. The amount depends on your flight distance and how much notice the airline gave you.

Flight distance	Compensation
Under 1,500km	£220 (€250)
1,500–3,500km	£350 (€400)
Over 3,500km	£520 (€600)

Oil crisis note: Airlines will likely argue the oil crisis constitutes "extraordinary circumstances" to avoid paying compensation. This argument may succeed for compensation claims, but it does NOT affect your refund or rebooking rights. Don't let airlines conflate the two — refunds and compensation are separate entitlements.

ℹ Delay rights — care and assistance

If your flight is delayed, the airline must provide care and assistance after certain thresholds. For short-haul flights (under 1,500km): meals and refreshments after 2 hours. For medium-haul (1,500–3,500km): after 3 hours. For long-haul (over 3,500km): after 4 hours. In all cases, the airline must provide two free phone calls, emails or faxes. If you're delayed overnight, the airline must provide hotel accommodation and transport to/from the hotel. If the airline doesn't provide these, pay for them yourself and keep all receipts to claim back later.

! Downgrading

If the airline moves you to a lower class (e.g. business to economy), you're owed a partial refund: 30% for flights under 1,500km, 50% for flights 1,500–3,500km, or 75% for flights over 3,500km. This applies even if you voluntarily accept the downgrade.

✕ What airlines can't do

Regardless of the oil crisis, airlines are legally prohibited from doing any of the following:

Forcing you to accept vouchers instead of a cash refund
Charging you a fee for rebooking onto another flight
Refusing to rebook you onto a competitor airline when their own flights are full
Reducing your rights by citing their terms and conditions
Making you sign a waiver to receive care and assistance
Telling you compensation doesn't apply because of the oil crisis (refunds are separate from compensation)

Your rights in detail

These rights apply to all flights departing from or arriving in the United States.

✓ Cancelled flight — automatic refund

Under the 2024 DOT automatic refund rule, airlines must issue a cash refund within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 business days (other payment methods) when they cancel your flight. This is automatic — you shouldn't need to request it. The refund must be in the original form of payment. Airlines cannot substitute vouchers, credits, or miles unless you explicitly opt in. This rule applies to all airlines operating flights to, from, or within the US, regardless of where the airline is based.

ℹ Significant schedule changes

If an airline makes a "significant change" to your flight — defined by the DOT as a departure/arrival time change of 3+ hours for domestic flights or 6+ hours for international flights — you're entitled to the same automatic refund. This includes changes to your departure or arrival airport, increases in the number of connections, or a downgrade in the class of service.

! Delays and care

Unlike EU/UK law, US regulations do not require airlines to provide meals, hotel rooms, or compensation for delays. Each airline sets its own policies. However, most major US carriers will provide meal vouchers for delays over 3 hours and hotel accommodation for overnight delays caused by the airline (not weather or "force majeure"). Check your specific airline's customer commitment or contract of carriage. During the oil crisis, airlines may attempt to classify fuel-related cancellations as outside their control.

✓ Denied boarding (overbooking)

If you're involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking, US law requires compensation of up to $1,550 depending on the length of delay to your destination. This is one area where US rules are stronger than EU rules. 1–2 hour delay: 200% of one-way fare (max $775). Over 2 hours: 400% of one-way fare (max $1,550).

✕ What airlines can't do

Under current US DOT rules, airlines cannot:

Refuse to give you a cash refund for a cancelled flight
Force you to accept vouchers or credits instead of cash
Take more than 7 business days (credit card) to process your refund
Charge cancellation or change fees for flights they cancelled
Hide fees — the DOT now requires upfront disclosure of all charges

What to do right now if your flight is disrupted

Keep everything

Hold onto your boarding pass, booking confirmation, any airline communications (emails, texts, app notifications), and all receipts for expenses caused by the disruption (meals, hotel, transport). Take screenshots of departure boards showing delays or cancellations.

Ask why — and get it in writing

Ask the airline for the specific reason for the cancellation or delay. Get it in writing if possible (email or message through their app). This matters because "extraordinary circumstances" is the airline's escape route for compensation — you need to know what they're claiming.

Don't sign away your rights

Airlines may offer vouchers or credits in exchange for signing a waiver. Don't accept unless you fully understand what you're giving up. You're almost always better off claiming your legal entitlements separately.

Claim immediately

File your claim as soon as possible. Airlines count on people forgetting or giving up. You can file directly with the airline, use a claim company (they handle everything for a cut), or use our DIY claim toolkit. The UK/EU time limit is 6 years (UK) or 2-3 years (most EU countries). In the US, act within 60 days for best results.

Ready to claim? Two options

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Claim companies compared

These companies handle your compensation claim for you. No win, no fee — they only charge if they successfully get you money.

AirHelp

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Skycop

EU-focused claim company with a fast online process. Strong track record on EU261 claims. Offers an instant payout option where they buy your claim upfront for a reduced amount.

Fee: 25-35% of payout

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ClaimCompass

Specialises in EU261 claims with a clean, transparent process. Lower fee than most competitors. Good reviews for communication and speed.

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Not sure if your flight is at risk?

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Frequently asked questions

Can the airline refuse to refund me because of the oil crisis?

No. Your right to a refund for a cancelled flight is absolute. "Extraordinary circumstances" only affects compensation claims — not refunds. If the airline cancels your flight, you get your money back regardless of the reason. This is clearly stated in both UK261/EU261 and US DOT rules.

Should I accept a voucher instead of a refund?

Almost certainly not. Vouchers typically expire, can't be used on other airlines, and don't earn interest. You're legally entitled to cash. The only scenario where a voucher might make sense is if it's worth significantly more than the cash refund (some airlines offer 120% value vouchers) and you're confident you'll use it.

Will the oil crisis count as "extraordinary circumstances"?

Probably, but it's not settled yet. Airlines will argue it's an unprecedented event outside their control. Consumer advocates will argue that airlines should have planned for geopolitical risk. The answer may vary by country and court. What's certain is: even if extraordinary circumstances apply, it only blocks compensation, not refunds or care obligations.

My flight hasn't been cancelled yet but I want to cancel. Can I get a refund?

If the airline hasn't cancelled or significantly changed your flight, you don't have an automatic right to a refund. Check your ticket's cancellation terms. However, your travel insurance may cover cancellation if you have a comprehensive policy — check if it includes "travel disruption" or "disinclination to travel." Many airlines are also currently waiving change fees, so you may be able to rebook to a different date or destination for free.

Does my travel insurance cover the oil crisis?

It depends on your policy. Comprehensive cancellation cover usually includes "travel disruption." However, many policies exclude "foreseeable events" — and since the oil crisis is now well-publicised, policies purchased after late February 2026 may not cover it. Basic and medical-only policies almost certainly won't. Check your policy wording carefully or call your insurer.

How long do I have to make a claim?

In the UK: 6 years from the date of the flight. In most EU countries: 2-3 years (varies by country — France is 5 years, Belgium is 1 year). In the US: there's no strict statutory deadline for DOT refund claims, but act within 60 days for best results. For claim companies, sooner is always better as evidence is fresh.

Should I use a claim company or do it myself?

If your claim is straightforward (cancelled flight, clear entitlement), doing it yourself is cheaper — our toolkit gives you everything you need for £4.99 and you keep 100%. If the airline pushes back, refuses, or you don't want the hassle, a claim company is worth the 25-35% fee because they handle escalation and legal action. Many people start with a DIY attempt and switch to a claim company if the airline stonewalls them.