United Airlines compensation: flight delayed or cancelled? Check your UK261 claim
United Airlines is a US airline connecting UK airports with its American hubs. If your United Airlines 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 United Airlines compensation
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Are United Airlines flights covered by UK261?
United Airlines is not a UK carrier. UK261 covers its flights departing from a UK airport. Because transatlantic flights are long-haul, the highest compensation band usually applies.
United Airlines flights from London Heathrow, Edinburgh and other UK airports 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 United Airlines?
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 United Airlines 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 United Airlines 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 United Airlines 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 United Airlines flights covered by UK261?
UK261 covers United Airlines 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.
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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.