Documents needed for a flight compensation claim in the UK

Booking and passenger details

Your booking confirmation and booking reference show that you had a confirmed reservation on the flight, which is generally a condition for UK261. List the full names of all passengers included in the claim, exactly as they appear on the booking.

Boarding passes are helpful because they show that you checked in or reached the gate, but they are not always required: the booking reference is often enough for the airline to find you in its records.

Proof of the disruption

Keep every message from the airline about the delay or cancellation, including emails, text messages and app notifications. Screenshots of the departure board and a note of the actual arrival time, ideally when the aircraft doors opened, help to show how late you really arrived.

For a cancellation, note the date you were told, because compensation generally depends on whether you were informed less than 14 days before departure. For denied boarding, write down what the staff told you and when.

Written exchanges and receipts

Keep copies of all written exchanges with the airline, with their dates. They show when you claimed and what the airline answered, which matters if you later escalate the case.

If you paid for meals, refreshments, a hotel or transport because the airline did not provide care, keep the receipts. These reasonable costs are claimed in addition to any fixed compensation.

Bank details: only when it is time to pay

You do not need to send bank details with a first claim. Give them only once the airline or the dispute resolution scheme confirms the payment, and only through its official channel, to limit the risk of fraud.

Can I claim without boarding passes?

Often, yes. The booking reference and the passenger names are usually enough, although a boarding pass can help if the airline disputes that you travelled.

What if I did not keep the airline's messages?

You can still claim. Ask the airline to confirm the flight details in writing; records of the actual arrival time from flight-tracking services can also support your claim.

Do I need the original receipts?

Copies or clear photos are generally accepted, but keep the originals until the claim is settled.