UK261 vs EU261 Explained
Since Brexit, two near-identical regimes protect passengers. Which one applies depends on where you fly from, where you land and who operates the flight.
Jurisdiction matrix
| Route | UK airline | EU airline | Non-UK/EU airline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departs UK | UK261 | UK261 (+EU261 if landing in EU) | UK261 |
| Departs EU/EEA/CH | EU261 (+UK261 if landing in UK) | EU261 | EU261 |
| Non-UK/EU → UK | UK261 | UK261 | Not covered |
| Non-UK/EU → EU | Not covered | EU261 | Not covered |
| Non-UK/EU → non-UK/EU | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Compensation amounts
| Distance | UK261 | EU261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km (and intra-EU over 1,500 km) | £350 | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | £520 (£260 if 3–4h late) | €600 (€300 if 3–4h late) |
Enforcement
UK261 is enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). EU261 is enforced by the national enforcement body in the country where the incident happened. Both allow escalation to approved ADR schemes and the courts.
Frequently asked questions
What is UK261?
UK261 is Regulation (EC) 261/2004 as retained in UK law after Brexit (from 1 January 2021), with compensation fixed in pounds: £220, £350 and £520.
Can I claim under both UK261 and EU261?
Some routes are covered by both (e.g. Paris to London on British Airways), but you can only be compensated once for the same disruption.
Are Swiss, Norwegian and Icelandic flights covered by EU261?
Yes. EU261 applies across the EEA and Switzerland.