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British Airways Compensation, Exact

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EU261 + UK261 fixed bandsClaim direct: BA's compensation claim form on britishairways.com (free)Checked August 2026

Your British Airways claim, line by line

The EU261 / UK261 compensation table (2026)

Fixed per-passenger amounts — owed regardless of ticket price, on top of refund or rerouting.

Flight distanceEU261 (€)UK261 (£)
Up to 1,500 km€250£220
1,500–3,500 km€400£350
Over 3,500 km€600£520
Over 3,500 km, arrival 3–4 h late€300 (halved)£260 (halved)
Cancellation, rerouted close to schedule50% of band50% of band

British Airways-specific notes

Know before you claim
1BA's long-haul network means real €600/£520 claims — transatlantic delays of 4+ hours hit the top band.
2On 3,500 km+ routes, a 3–4 hour arrival delay lets BA halve the payment; over 4 hours, the full €600/£520 is due.
3Connecting itineraries on one ticket are judged at the final destination — a late Heathrow hop that strands you counts at journey's end.

Claiming from British Airways, so it sticks

Common questions

How much compensation does British Airways pay for delays?
The standard bands: £220/£350/£520 under UK261 (€250/€400/€600 under EU261), by distance, for arrivals 3+ hours late. Long-haul over 3,500 km pays the top band — halved if you land between 3 and 4 hours late.
Does BA cover missed connections?
Yes, on a single booking: if any BA leg's delay makes you arrive at the final destination 3+ hours late, compensation is judged there. Separate tickets break the chain — each ticket stands alone.
How do I claim compensation from British Airways?
BA's online compensation form: booking reference, flight details, bank details for the transfer. If refused, escalate to BA's ADR scheme (CEDR) or the CAA — free and binding on the airline.
Should I use a claims company for my British Airways claim?
No — not first. British Airways's own form is free and asks the same questions. Claims firms take 25–35% of a payment the law already guarantees you. Use them only if you'd genuinely rather pay £80 of a £220 claim than fill in one form.

How we calculate

What is included

EU261/UK261 fixed compensation applied to British Airways routes: distance bands, the 3-hour arrival test, 50% reductions, denied boarding, and the duty of care. Per passenger: €250/400/600 or £220/350/520.

Sources: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 · UK CAA guidance.

What is estimated or left out

Whether British Airways's extraordinary-circumstances defence holds in your specific case can't be decided here — the page shows what is owed if it fails. Codeshares operated by another carrier follow the operating airline, not the brand on the ticket.

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