Aer Lingus flight delayed or cancelled? Check your UK261 compensation
Aer Lingus is the Irish flag carrier, connecting UK airports with Dublin and onward destinations. If your Aer Lingus flight arrived 3 hours or more late, was cancelled at short notice or you were denied boarding, you may be owed up to £520 per passenger under UK261, the UK passenger-rights regulation.
Check my Aer Lingus compensation
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Are Aer Lingus flights covered by UK261?
Aer Lingus is not a UK carrier. UK261 covers its flights departing from a UK airport. A flight departing from Dublin towards the UK is generally covered by EU261 instead.
Aer Lingus flights from London Heathrow, Manchester and Belfast are the ones most travellers ask about, but the rules apply to every eligible flight, not only these airports.
How much can you claim from your airline?
| Flight distance | Compensation per passenger |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | £520 |
These are the maximum amounts. If the airline gets you to your destination with a smaller delay on a replacement flight, the amount can be reduced by half. Every passenger on the booking can claim, including children.
When can you claim from Aer Lingus?
You can generally claim when:
- your flight arrived at its final destination 3 hours or more late;
- your flight was cancelled and you were told less than 14 days before departure;
- you were denied boarding against your will, for example because the flight was overbooked.
You cannot claim if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. The airline must prove it.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation can I get for a delayed Aer Lingus flight?
Under UK261 the amount depends on the distance of the flight: £220 up to 1,500 km, £350 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (and for longer flights within the UK and EU) and £520 for flights over 3,500 km. It is a fixed amount per passenger and does not depend on the price of your ticket.
How late must my Aer Lingus flight be to claim?
Generally you must arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late. Cancellations with short notice and denied boarding can also qualify. What counts is the delay on arrival, not on departure.
Can Aer Lingus refuse because of extraordinary circumstances?
Yes, an airline does not have to pay if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside its control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. A technical fault found during routine maintenance is generally not treated as extraordinary. Airlines often use this argument, so it is worth checking each case.
Are Aer Lingus flights covered by UK261?
UK261 covers Aer Lingus flights departing from a UK airport. Flights departing from the EU towards the UK are generally covered by EU261 instead.
How long do I have to claim?
The limit is generally six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five years in Scotland, counted from the date of the flight.
Other airlines
British Airways · easyJet · Ryanair · Jet2 · TUI Airways · Virgin Atlantic · Wizz Air · Emirates · Loganair
Compensation by UK airport · UK261 guides
This page is general information about UK261 and is not legal advice. Amounts and conditions depend on the facts of your flight.