Flight Delay Compensation Letter
Claim what you're owed. A formal letter citing EC Regulation 261/2004 is often enough to get airlines to pay up without going to a claims company.
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You don't need to use a claims management company to get flight delay compensation. A well-written letter citing the relevant regulation goes directly to the airline and keeps 100% of the compensation for you.
What a flight delay compensation letter looks like
A short sample — your letter will be personalised to your specific details and situation.
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] Customer Relations Department [Airline Name] [Airline Address] Re: Claim for Compensation — Flight [FLIGHT NUMBER] on [DATE] Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to claim compensation for a significant delay to flight [flight number] operated by [airline] on [date], travelling from [departure airport] to [arrival airport]. The scheduled departure time was [time] and the scheduled arrival time was [time]. The actual arrival time at the final destination was [time], resulting in a delay of [X hours and Y minutes]. Under EC Regulation 261/2004 (which continues to apply in the United Kingdom), passengers are entitled to compensation of €[amount] per person where a flight arrives more than three hours late at its final destination, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances...
Sample only. Your letter is written from the specific facts, dates, and names you provide.
How it works
Add your details
Tell us who it's from, who it's to, and the key facts of your situation. Rough notes are fine.
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What makes this letter effective
The more detail you provide, the stronger your letter will be.
Include your flight number and dates
The airline needs your flight number, the date, departure and arrival airports, and your booking reference.
State the exact delay
Note the scheduled and actual arrival times. Compensation is based on arrival at the final destination, not departure.
Claim for every passenger
Each passenger on the booking is entitled to compensation separately — your letter should mention all names if claiming for a group.
Mention your bank details request
Ask the airline to confirm how they will process the compensation payment and to contact you in writing.
Related letter guides
Frequently asked questions
Under EC Regulation 261/2004 (retained in UK law post-Brexit): €250 for flights up to 1,500km delayed 3+ hours; €400 for EU flights over 1,500km or non-EU flights 1,500–3,500km; €600 for non-EU flights over 3,500km delayed 4+ hours.
Extraordinary circumstances — which exempt airlines from compensation — include extreme weather, air traffic control strikes, security risks, or political instability. Technical faults and staff shortages generally do NOT count as extraordinary circumstances.
Yes. UK Regulation 261/2004 (retained from EU law) applies to all flights departing from UK airports, and to flights on UK/EU carriers arriving at UK airports. For flights departing from EU airports, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies.
There is no statutory deadline, but most airlines aim to respond within 28 days. If they don't respond within 8 weeks, you can escalate to CEDR, AviationADR, or the Civil Aviation Authority.
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