British Airways is a UK airline with a long-haul network, which matters in two ways. UK law follows BA home on flights into the UK from anywhere in the world, and many of its routes fall in the highest compensation band.
Which rules cover a BA flight
- Any flight leaving the UK: UK261.
- A BA flight into the UK from a non-UK airport, for example Mumbai to London: UK261 also applies, because BA is a UK carrier.
- A flight leaving an EU airport: EU261 applies (Art. 3(1)(a), Regulation 261/2004). On a BA flight from the EU to the UK both regimes can apply; you are paid once.
- Flights touching the United States: BA’s site notes that US Department of Transportation rules give a right to a cash refund when a flight is cancelled. That is separate from compensation.
The operating carrier is the one liable. That includes BA CityFlyer from London City and BA Euroflyer from Gatwick.
Tip
On a codeshare flown by another airline, such as American Airlines or Iberia, the claim goes to that airline.
Amounts
You qualify when you arrive 3 or more hours late, when BA cancels less than 14 days before departure (Art. 5(1)(c)), or when you are denied boarding against your will. BA’s notice gives these levels:
| Flight distance | UK261 | EU261 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 km or less | £220 | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | £350 | €400 |
| All other flights | £520 | €600 |
The amount is halved when BA reroutes you and you arrive within 2, 3 or 4 hours of the original time, depending on the band (Art. 7(2)).
On a connecting itinerary under one booking reference, the delay is measured at your final destination. See missed connection.
BA does not owe compensation when it proves extraordinary circumstances (Art. 5(3)). Two things do not count:
- A technical fault found during routine operation is part of running an airline (see technical problems).
- Crew illness is not extraordinary either: the UK Supreme Court ruled so against BA’s own subsidiary in Lipton v BA Cityflyer [2024] UKSC 24.
Where to file
BA handles compensation and expenses in one place, its complaints and claims portal. You can open a new case with your booking reference and personal details, and track an existing one with the case number. No account is needed.
For an expenses claim BA says you will need:
- The names of all passengers you are claiming for.
- Details of every delayed or cancelled flight in the journey.
- Details of the expenses, with receipts. Photographs or scans are accepted.
- Bank account details for the payment.
Good to know
BA says it will consider reasonable costs for a hotel, transport to and from it, food and drink without alcohol, and two phone calls or internet costs.
If BA says no
- Ask Customer Relations for a final response. BA’s notice directs complaints about your rights there.
- CEDR. BA’s notice names the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA says you can also go to the ADR body if the airline has not replied within eight weeks.
- Flights from an EU airport. You may also complain to the enforcement body of the country of departure.
- Court. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a claim can be brought up to six years after the flight; in Scotland, five years.
Deadline
You must refer the complaint to CEDR within 12 months.
Start with the facts in writing. Our claim letter sets them out with the right articles, and the rights calculator gives the band for your route.