British Airways compensation: how to claim
British Airways is a UK airline, so most of its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- United Kingdom (UK carrier)
- Main bases
- London (LHR), London (LGW), London (LCY)
- Typical first response
- About 35 days
- Time limit where it is based
- 6 years (England & Wales)
British Airways is a UK airline, so most of its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, because British Airways is a UK carrier.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: not covered by EU261, because British Airways is not an EU carrier — though a UK departure on the same trip is.
How British Airways handles claims
BA runs a dedicated online compensation form and will normally reference a case number in its first reply. Quote that number in every follow-up — their correspondence threads are organised around it, and a letter without it can sit unmatched.
First responses commonly attribute a delay to "operational reasons" or to air traffic control flow restrictions. Neither is a category in the Regulation. If they say ATC, ask specifically which flow measure applied and at what time, because that is checkable.
BA is signed up to CEDR for alternative dispute resolution. If they reject you or go quiet past eight weeks, CEDR is the escalation route rather than the CAA directly, and it is free to the passenger.
Payment, when it comes, is usually by bank transfer rather than voucher. If they offer you a travel voucher instead of cash, you are entitled to insist on the cash.
What a delay on British Airways is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) → London (LGW) | 41 km | UK261 | £220 |
| London (LHR) → London (LCY) | 36 km | UK261 | £220 |
| London (LGW) → London (LCY) | 43 km | UK261 | £220 |
| London (LHR) → Paris (CDG) | 347 km | UK261 | £220 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from British Airways, by what happened
- British Airways: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- British Airways: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- British Airways: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- British Airways: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your British Airways flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to British Airways yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
British Airways: common questions
How much compensation can I get from British Airways?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. British Airways is a UK airline, so most of its flights are covered in both directions.
Does British Airways have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against British Airways?
In England and Wales, where British Airways is based, the limit is 6 years, counted from the date of the flight. You can usually also claim where your flight departed or arrived, which may give you longer — for example six years in England and Wales.
Where do I send a claim to British Airways?
British Airways takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is British Airways plc, Customer Relations, Waterside, PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, UB7 0GB, United Kingdom. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old British Airways flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.