Letter to Claim Compensation for a Delayed or Cancelled Flight

This is a letter that you can use to claim compensation and expenses for a delayed or cancelled flight from an airline. It can be used for a single claim or a family claim, or where a single person has been nominated to bring a claim on behalf of a group.

The document sets out all the information required to make a successful claim and calculates the correct level of compensation based on whether the relevant flight was cancelled or delayed, its distance, and the length of the delay caused. Depending on the length of the flight and the delay incurred, passengers may receive between €125 - €600 from airline operators in compensation. The document can also be used to claim any expenses incurred when waiting for the delayed or cancelled flight.

This document should only be used by passengers whose flight departed from an airport within the EU, EEA or UK. Where a flight departed from outside of these territories but arrived within the EU, EEA or UK and the airline operator is based within the EU, EEA or UK this document can also be used.

How to use this document

Once this document has been completed, it should be signed and sent to airline alongside the plane tickets, proof of purchase and receipts for any expenses you are claiming.

Then simply post or email it to the airline which provided the tickets for the cancelled or delayed flight, and wait for them to reply to confirm the claim and next steps. Where the airline does not reply within 14 days, or if they refuse the claim without good grounds, it may be desirable to contact the Civil Aviation Authority alternative dispute resolution service, or even take the claim to court.

The letter should be sent as soon as possible. However, it is likely that any claim for a delay or cancellation that occurred more than 6 years ago is likely to be refused because of the 6 year time limit imposed on court claims for contractual disputes.

Applicable Law

EU Regulation 261/2004 - this regulation continues to be applicable within the UK.

Limitation Act 1980

Help from a lawyer

You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help.

The lawyer can answer your questions or help you through the process. You will be offered this option when you complete the document.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.