British Airways is the largest international carrier in the UK, flying to more than 80 countries worldwide. According to their fact sheet, 'A British Airways aircraft takes off from somewhere in the world every 90 seconds.' That’s impressive!
But running such a large airline isn’t without complications. For instance, in the fall of 2019, nearly 100 flights were delayed by more than 45 minutes due to a 'technical issue.' In the spring of 2017, the airline canceled over 400 flights in a single day during a busy holiday weekend. Fortunately for passengers, EU 261 allows travelers to make a British Airways compensation claim under certain circumstances.
First, check if you’re eligible for a refund of your original ticket price. This refund is separate from the compensation you may be owed under EU 261. If the airline cancels your flight, they must offer you a full refund of your ticket price or offer to re-route you on the next available flight. If that flight doesn’t suit your plans, you can opt for a refund instead.
This British Airways refund is available regardless of the reason for the flight cancellation. Even if the cancellation is due to circumstances outside the airline’s control, you are still entitled to a refund. Additionally, you’re entitled to 'assistance' while waiting at the airport, which includes refreshments, as well as hotel accommodations and transportation if you need to stay overnight.
To be eligible for compensation under EU 261 – in addition to any refund for your ticket price – your British Airways flight must meet the following criteria:
Whether the delay or cancellation was within British Airways' control is often determined by 'extraordinary circumstances.' You’ll be entitled to compensation for causes such as:
However, you may not be entitled to compensation due to circumstances like:
If your flight is delayed, you’ll be eligible for BA compensation if you arrive at your destination at least 3 hours later than scheduled. The delay is calculated based on your arrival time, not the departure time.
The courts have also clarified that a flight 'arrives' when at least one of the plane’s doors is opened.
If you meet these requirements, here’s how much compensation you may be entitled to, depending on the length of your flight and the duration of the delay:
The requirements for British Airways canceled flight compensation are straightforward. If your flight was canceled with less than 14 days' notice, you may be eligible for compensation. The amount depends on the length of your planned flight:
This compensation is in addition to any refund you may receive for your ticket price. Additionally, any airport accommodations (like vouchers for food, drinks, and hotel stays) do not count toward your British Airways compensation. It’s important to note that EU 261 does not cover cancellations made by passengers themselves due to illness or other personal reasons.
Flight delays and cancellations are inconvenient, but here are some steps to take to ensure you receive the compensation you're entitled to.
Arrive at the gate early to stay aware of any signs of delays or cancellations. By being first to know, you can get in line quickly or call the airline to secure a spot on the next available flight.
If your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, you can opt not to take the next available flight. Instead, you can ask the airline for alternative transportation, such as by train, or a return flight to your origin, free of charge.
Save your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and receipts for expenses like food or accommodation if the airline didn’t provide vouchers. Also, ask for the reason behind the delay or cancellation, as 'extraordinary circumstances' can sometimes exempt the airline from paying compensation.
Communicating with the airline to file a British Airways compensation claim – and fighting to determine the real cause of a delay – can be time-consuming. That’s where a professional company like TravelRefund can help ensure a smooth process.
Once you submit a claim, we’ll review it, contact the airline, and take over communication on your behalf. If we win compensation for you, we take a small fee. If we don’t win, you don’t pay anything.
Still have questions? Contact us today to learn more about your rights and how to claim compensation for British Airways delayed or canceled flights.