Heathrow Flight Delay Compensation
Use the airline that actually operated the flight, not the one you booked with.
Likely eligible
Statutory payout per passenger
£520
Total for 2 passengers
£1,040
Your saving vs a claims company
If you used a 35% + VAT claims company, they would take £437.
With our free direct claim letter, you keep the entire £1,040.
100% payout · £0 commission
- • Departs from a UK airport, so UK261 applies to any airline.
Estimate based on statutory UK261/EU261 rules. Not legal advice.
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[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Your email]
18 October 2026
British Airways – Customer Relations / Claims Department
Re: Statutory compensation claim – Flight [flight number] on [date of flight]
Booking reference: [booking reference]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to claim compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained in UK law and amended by the Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ("UK261") in respect of flight [flight number] from London (LHR) to New York (JFK) on [date of flight], operated by British Airways.
The flight was delayed, arriving at the final destination more than 4 hours late (measured from when the aircraft doors opened).
The great-circle distance of this route is approximately 5,540 km. Under Article 7 of UK261, the compensation due is £520 per passenger. The claim is made on behalf of the following 2 passenger(s):
1. [Passenger name 1]
Total compensation claimed: £1,040
In line with the judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU in Sturgeon (C-402/07) and Nelson (C-581/10), and the Court of Appeal in Huzar v Jet2.com [2014] EWCA Civ 791, technical problems arising in the normal operation of an airline are not extraordinary circumstances. If you contend that extraordinary circumstances apply, please provide full evidence and explain what reasonable measures were taken to avoid the disruption.
Please pay the compensation in money by bank transfer, as required by Article 7(3). I do not accept travel vouchers in place of cash.
I look forward to your response within 14 days. If this claim is rejected or not resolved within 8 weeks, I will refer it to your approved Alternative Dispute Resolution body or the relevant enforcement authority, and reserve the right to issue proceedings without further notice.
Yours faithfully,
[Your full name]
Prepared using the free claim letter template at flightcompensationcalculator.co.uk.Delayed at Heathrow: what you need to know
Main airlines at LHR: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Aer Lingus, KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates.
Terminals
Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. British Airways operates mainly from T5 (and some T3); Virgin Atlantic from T3; most Star Alliance carriers from T2.
Common causes of disruption
Runway capacity limits mean bad weather or ATC restrictions quickly lead to cancellations. Airlines often cite 'ATC restrictions' — but a knock-on delay from an earlier technical fault on your aircraft is still the airline's responsibility.
Airport or airline fault?
You always claim from the airline that operated the flight. Airline problems — technical faults, crew shortages, late incoming aircraft — are eligible. Severe weather, ATC strikes, security alerts or airport-wide failures can be extraordinary circumstances, but the airline must prove it.
Duty of care while you wait
Meals and drinks after 2+ hours' delay (short haul), a hotel and transfers if delayed overnight, and a means of communication. Ask for vouchers at the airline desk; if none are offered, buy reasonably priced items and keep every receipt.
Heathrow delay FAQs
Who pays compensation for a delay at Heathrow?
The airline that operated your flight, never the airport. Even when the airport causes disruption, your claim goes to the operating carrier, which decides whether extraordinary circumstances apply.
Am I owed food and a hotel if stranded at Heathrow?
Yes. Under Article 9 the airline must provide meals and refreshments after 2+ hours (short haul), 3+ hours (medium) or 4+ hours (long haul), plus a hotel and transfers if you're delayed overnight. Keep receipts if you pay yourself.
Is a Heathrow capacity restriction an extraordinary circumstance?
Genuine ATC or airport capacity restrictions usually are. But the airline must show the restriction actually caused your delay and that it took reasonable measures to minimise it.