British Airways Compensation Claim: Get Up to €600 / £520 (2026 Guide)

British Airways is the UK's flag carrier and one of the world's largest airlines, operating from its main hub at London Heathrow (LHR). With extensive European and worldwide routes, BA flights are covered by both EU261 (for flights from EU airports) and UK261 (for flights from UK airports).

If your British Airways flight was delayed over 3 hours, cancelled, or you were denied boarding, you could be entitled to up to €600 or £520 in compensation. Here's your complete guide.

EU261 vs UK261: Which Applies to Your BA Flight?

Since Brexit, British Airways flights are covered by two different regulations:

• UK261 — Applies to all BA flights departing from UK airports. Compensation in GBP: £220 / £350 / £520.
• EU261 — Applies to BA flights departing from EU airports. Compensation in EUR: €250 / €400 / €600.
• Flights arriving in the UK from outside — UK261 applies if on a UK carrier (BA qualifies).
• Flights arriving in the EU from outside — EU261 applies if on an EU carrier (BA is NOT an EU carrier post-Brexit, so only EU departures count).

For more detail on the differences, see our EU261 vs UK261 comparison.

How Much Does British Airways Owe You?

Compensation depends on the flight distance:

Under UK261, the equivalent amounts are £220 / £350 / £520. The amounts are similar — the regulation is nearly identical to EU261.

When Is BA Required to Pay?

• Flight delayed 3+ hours at arrival — Measured at your final destination. If you arrived more than 3 hours late, you're eligible.
• Flight cancelled with less than 14 days' notice — You're owed compensation plus either a rebooking or full refund.
• Denied boarding due to overbooking — BA must compensate you immediately if you're involuntarily bumped.
• Downgraded from Club World/First to Economy — You're entitled to a 30-75% refund of the ticket price.
• Missed connecting flight — If a BA delay caused you to miss your connection and arrive 3+ hours late at your final destination.

Is British Airways Good at Paying?

BA has a relatively structured claims process, but they're known for:

• Offering Avios points or vouchers instead of cash — you can (and should) insist on cash
• Claiming "extraordinary circumstances" for technical issues — this is usually not a valid excuse
• Slow processing times — especially during peak disruption periods (summer, Christmas)
• Requiring escalation to the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for rejected claims

If your claim is rejected, you can escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK or the relevant national enforcement body in the EU. A claims service handles this escalation for you.

The Cheapest Way to Claim BA Compensation

Don't overpay for help with your BA claim:

• File directly with BA — Free, but BA is known for delays and initial rejections. (DIY guide here)
• Use AirHelp — They handle it, but charge 35% of your compensation. On a £520 long-haul BA claim, they'd keep £182.
• Use WairHelp — AI-powered, charges a flat £20 / €20. Same result, you keep far more.

Common BA Routes and Compensation Amounts

How to File Your BA Claim with WairHelp

1. Check your eligibility — Enter your flight details on our claim page. Takes 30 seconds.
2. See your compensation — We'll calculate exactly how much BA owes you.
3. Pay a flat £20 / €20 — No percentage, no hidden fees.
4. We handle everything — Our AI files the claim, handles BA's correspondence, and escalates to the CAA or national enforcement bodies if needed.
5. You get paid — BA pays the compensation directly to you. If they don't pay within 90 days, we refund your fee.