Fog, snow and ice: UK flight delays and cancellations — your rights

When winter weather counts as an extraordinary circumstance

Under Article 5(3) of UK261, an airline does not have to pay fixed compensation if the cancellation or long delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) gives as an example weather conditions incompatible with the safe operation of the flight.

In winter this typically covers thick fog that forces an airport to reduce the number of take-offs and landings, heavy snow or ice that closes a runway, and freezing conditions that make it unsafe to fly. It is for the airline to show that the weather actually affected your flight, and that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the cancellation or limit the delay. A general reference to bad weather is not enough on its own.

What the airline must still do: meals, drinks and a hotel

The right to care under Article 9 does not depend on the cause. The CAA says it applies regardless of the reason for the delay, so it also applies on a day of fog or snow. It starts once your flight is delayed by at least 2 hours (flights up to 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (more than 3,500 km), and it also applies when your flight is cancelled and you wait for a new one.

• Food and drink in proportion to the waiting time, often given as vouchers.
• A hotel room and transport between the airport and the hotel when you are stuck overnight.
• Two phone calls or emails.
• Keep the receipts for any meal, transport or hotel you pay for yourself while you wait.

Cancelled flight: refund or new flight, whatever the cause

If your flight is cancelled, Article 8 lets you choose between a full refund of the ticket and a new flight to your destination at the earliest opportunity, or at a later date that suits you. This applies even when the cancellation was caused by the weather. If your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more and you decide not to travel, you can also ask for a refund.

When compensation can still be due in winter

Winter delays and cancellations are not all caused by the weather. Compensation may be due, subject to the usual conditions (arrival 3 hours or more late, or a cancellation less than 14 days before departure), in situations such as these. Each case depends on the facts.

On delays with several causes, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in the Pešková case (C-315/15, 4 May 2017) that the part of the delay caused by an extraordinary circumstance is deducted from the total delay. Compensation then depends on whether the part caused by the airline alone reaches 3 hours.

• The flight was cancelled or delayed for another reason, such as a technical fault, a crew shortage or a strike by the airline's own staff, even if it was snowing that day.
• The aircraft was already running late earlier in the day for a reason that had nothing to do with the weather.
• The weather had cleared, or did not affect your airport or your route at the time of your flight.

Related guide: Extraordinary circumstances under UK261: when airlines can refuse

Related guide: Flight cancellation compensation UK: up to £520 (UK261)

Check today's cancellations and your flight

When fog or snow hits, our live pages list today's cancelled and heavily delayed flights at the 12 busiest UK airports, with London's main airports on one page. They are indicative: always confirm your flight status with your airline.

If your flight was delayed by 3 hours or more or cancelled at short notice, FlightClaimHQ can check whether the weather really was the cause and handle the claim for you.

• UK flight cancellations today
• London flight cancellations today (all London airports)

Sources for this guide

• UK261, Article 5: cancellation and extraordinary circumstances (legislation.gov.uk)
• UK261, Article 8: refund or re-routing (legislation.gov.uk)
• UK261, Article 9: right to care (legislation.gov.uk)
• Am I entitled to compensation? (UK Civil Aviation Authority)
• Delays: your rights (UK Civil Aviation Authority)
• Court of Justice of the EU, Pešková, C-315/15, 4 May 2017 (EUR-Lex)

Is fog an extraordinary circumstance?

Usually, when the fog actually made it unsafe to operate your flight or forced the airport to reduce traffic. The airline has to show that the fog caused your delay or cancellation and that it took all reasonable measures.

Does the airline have to give me a hotel if my flight is cancelled because of snow?

Yes. The right to care applies whatever the cause: if you are stuck overnight, the airline must offer a hotel and the transfers, as well as meals and refreshments while you wait.

Can I get compensation if my flight was cancelled on a snowy day?

Not for the weather itself, which is usually an extraordinary circumstance. Compensation may still be due if the real cause was something else, such as a technical fault or a crew shortage. It depends on the facts, and FlightClaimHQ can check your case.

Published by FlightClaimHQ (TETRIS GROUP LLC) · Last reviewed: 4 November 2026