My ticket only cost £40. Can I really claim £220?

Yes. UK261 compensation is a fixed sum set by flight distance and the length of the delay at arrival. The price of the ticket is not part of the calculation.

The airline says the delay was caused by a technical fault. Does that mean I get nothing?

Not necessarily. The Court of Appeal held in Jet2.com v Huzar that a technical fault arising in the ordinary operation of an aircraft is not an extraordinary circumstance. Hidden manufacturing defects and damage from sabotage are different. Ask the airline to explain the fault and why it could not have been avoided.

Do I get compensation if the delay was caused by bad weather?

Usually not the fixed sum, if the weather made it unsafe to fly and the airline could not reasonably have avoided the delay. You are still entitled to care while you wait, such as meals and, for an overnight delay, a hotel, and you can claim back reasonable costs if the airline did not provide them.

Should I use a flight compensation company?

You do not have to. You can claim directly from the airline for free, and the approved dispute resolution bodies are free to use. A claims company will take a share of anything you recover. If you do use one, read its terms and fees before you sign.

How far back can I claim?

In England and Wales, up to six years after the flight, a period the Court of Appeal confirmed in Dawson v Thomson Airways. In Scotland it is five years. Dispute resolution bodies have their own deadlines, generally 12 months from the airline's final response.

The airline offered me a voucher. Do I have to take it?

No. For a cancellation you can choose a refund instead of a reroute, and compensation is a payment of money. A voucher is only an acceptable substitute if you agree to it in writing.

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My Flight Was Delayed or Cancelled and the Airline Won't Pay Compensation. What Can I Do?

Flight delayed three hours or more, or cancelled at short notice? What UK261 pays (£220, £350 or £520), when airlines can refuse, and how…