What to know about your rights if your flight is significantly delayedpublished at 10:52 Greenwich Mean Time
The UK Civil Aviation Authority sets out passengers’ rights for flights departing from a UK airport, arriving at a UK airport via an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.
For “significant” delays, the times for which vary according to the length of the flight, airlines must provide the following:
- A “reasonable” amount of food and drink, often provided via vouchers
- A means for you to communicate
- Accommodation if needed
- Transport to and from the accommodation
Depending on the cause of the delay, airlines may also need to provide compensation for disruptions of more than three hours to your arrival.
For delays of more than five hours, passengers are eligible for a refund if they choose not to fly. If you opt to travel, however, your airline has an obligation to get you to your destination.