Regulation guide
UK Regulation 261/2004 (UK261)
Post-Brexit UK flight passenger rights — broadly mirroring EU261 with GBP amounts and UK-specific enforcement.
What is UK261?
UK Regulation 261/2004 (commonly called “UK261”) is the retained UK law that replicates the rights previously provided by EU261 for UK-based flights after Brexit took effect on 1 January 2021.
The rules are substantively identical to EU261 but apply to flights within, to, or from the UK (rather than the EU), and compensation amounts are denominated in British pounds (£) rather than euros (€).
Which flights are covered?
- ✓Any flight departing from a UK airport (regardless of airline)
- ✓Flights arriving at a UK airport operated by a UK-licensed carrier
- ✓Domestic UK flights (e.g. London–Edinburgh)
- ✓Flights to EU destinations if departing from the UK
- ✓Applies to all cabin classes
Qualifying disruptions
Delay (Art. 7)
Compensation applies when the aircraft arrives at your final destination 3 or more hours after the scheduled arrival time. The clock stops when the aircraft doors open — not when wheels touch down.
Cancellation (Art. 5)
If your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice before departure, you are entitled to compensation unless the airline offers a suitable rerouting. You are also entitled to a full refund or re-routing regardless of compensation eligibility.
Denied boarding (Art. 4)
If you hold a confirmed booking and are involuntarily bumped due to overbooking, compensation is payable at the same rates as cancellation. This does not apply if you voluntarily gave up your seat in exchange for benefits.
Compensation amounts
UK261 uses GBP equivalents of the EU261 amounts:
| Flight distance | Example routes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | London–Edinburgh, Manchester–Dublin | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | London–Cairo, Birmingham–Reykjavik | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | London–New York, Heathrow–Seoul | £520 |
Right to care
If your flight is delayed by 2+ hours, the operating carrier must provide:
- ✓Meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time
- ✓Two free phone calls, emails, or text messages
- ✓Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary
- ✓Transport between the airport and accommodation
Extraordinary circumstances
Airlines can refuse compensation if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. The same exemptions as EU261 apply:
- ✕Severe weather causing genuine safety concerns
- ✕Air traffic control strikes
- ✕Security incidents or political unrest
- ✕Bird strikes or hidden manufacturing defects
Airlines frequently cite extraordinary circumstances incorrectly. Routine technical faults, staff shortages, and scheduling problems are not extraordinary circumstances.
Claim time limits
Under the Limitation Act 1980 (England & Wales), you have 6 years from the date of the flight to bring a claim. Scotland has a 5-year limit. File promptly — evidence becomes harder to gather over time.
UK enforcement body
The UK enforcement body for UK261 is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). If the airline does not respond or rejects your claim, you can escalate to:
- ✓CAA Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT) — free
- ✓CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) — approved ADR scheme
- ✓Aviation ADR — approved alternative dispute resolution
- ✓Small claims court (England & Wales) — County Court Money Claims
Key differences from EU261
| Aspect | UK261 | EU261 |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | GBP (£) | EUR (€) |
| Enforcer | Civil Aviation Authority | National authorities per country |
| Coverage area | Departures from UK; UK carrier arrivals | Departures from EU; EU carrier arrivals |
| Claim limit | 6 years (England) | 2–6 years (varies by country) |
Check if your flight qualifies
Instant UK261 and EU261 eligibility check for your flight.
EU-based flight? Read our EU261 guide