News summary produced by Claude AI
Passengers flying from UK and EU airports have established rights when facing flight cancellations or delays. Airlines must provide basic assistance including meals, accommodation when necessary, and arrange alternative transport at no additional cost to passengers.
When a cancellation occurs, passengers can choose between receiving a full refund or being rebooked on an alternative flight, regardless of how much advance notice was given. If rebooking on another airline results in significantly earlier departure, passengers may request to be placed on that flight instead. For flights cancelled with less than two weeks’ notice where the airline bears responsibility, compensation may be claimed based on distance traveled, ranging from £220 for flights under 1,500 kilometers to £520 for flights exceeding 3,500 kilometers per person.
Delayed flights entitle passengers to assistance if delays exceed two hours for short-haul, three hours for medium-haul, or four hours for long-haul flights. Passengers delayed more than five hours who no longer wish to travel can obtain full refunds. Airlines unable to arrange required assistance must reimburse passengers for reasonable expenses they incur themselves.
However, disruptions caused by extraordinary circumstances such as conflict, severe weather, strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, or other unforeseeable events do not trigger additional compensation requirements. Passengers should verify specific terms with their airline and check whether their booking falls under UK or EU protections. Those with package holiday bookings through ABTA member companies are entitled to alternative flights or full refunds. Loss of earnings is generally not covered by airline refunds or standard travel insurance policies, and passengers bear responsibility for notifying employers of delays.