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    How to Claim Flight Compensation UK 2026 — Step by Step

    Flight delayed or cancelled? UK passengers can claim up to £520 under UK261. Step-by-step guide — and how AirHelp does it for free.

    April 20269 min readMaximum UK261 compensation per passenger for long-haul delays over 4 hours.SentoBot Editorial
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    Millions of UK passengers are owed flight compensation every year — and most never claim it. UK261 entitles you to up to £520 per person if your flight was delayed, cancelled or you were denied boarding.

    Are You Eligible?

    • Flight departed from a UK airport (any airline)
    • Flight arrived in UK on a UK or EU airline
    • Delay of 3+ hours at destination, cancellation, or denied boarding
    • Not caused by extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, security)

    How Much Can You Claim?

    Flight DistanceDelayCompensation
    Up to 1,500km3+ hours£220
    1,500-3,500km3+ hours£350
    Over 3,500km3-4 hours£260
    Over 3,500km4+ hours£520

    Let AirHelp Do It For You

    AirHelp handles everything on a no-win, no-fee basis. They take 35% if successful — but they know exactly which arguments work and fight rejections automatically. 93% success rate.

    DIY claim
    Free, takes 2-10 hours, airlines often reject first attempts
    AirHelp no-win-no-fee
    They keep 35%, you keep 65%, zero effort from you
    START TODAY

    Check Your Claim with AirHelp

    No win, no fee — takes 2 minutes to check eligibility

    Check Eligibility Free →
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    Sento earns a referral if you click through our links — this never affects our recommendations. Prices and details correct at time of publication. Updated April 2026.