My flight departed Heathrow — is it EU261 or UK261?

UK departures are covered by UK261, with the same distance bands paid in pounds: £220, £350 and £520 instead of €250, €400 and €600. The 3-hour threshold and 14-day cancellation notice rules are the same.

BA rebooked me on a later flight from Heathrow. Do I still claim?

If you arrived 3+ hours late at your destination, yes. The notice period and rerouting timing windows determine whether compensation is due on top of your replacement flight.

Where do I escalate a refused claim?

For UK departures, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). For flights arriving at Heathrow on an EU airline, the regulator of the country you departed from.

Airport guide

Flight delay compensation at London Heathrow

Heathrow is the UK's busiest airport and British Airways' main hub. UK departures fall under UK261, not EU261 — but the amounts and thresholds are nearly identical.

Quick answer

Heathrow is the UK's busiest airport and British Airways' main hub. UK departures fall under UK261, not EU261 — but the amounts and thresholds are nearly identical.

Airport: London, United Kingdom (LHR)
Primary rule: UK261
Potential compensation: £220–£520 per passenger
Escalation body: UK Civil Aviation Authority

Airport facts

Airport: LHR
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
In EU/EEA: No

How the rules apply here

Flights departing Heathrow are covered by UK261, which mirrors EU261 with amounts in pounds (£220, £350, £520) instead of euros.

Flights arriving at Heathrow from outside the EU are covered only if operated by an EU-licensed airline.

How much you can claim

Compensation is fixed by distance, not by ticket price. Example routes from Heathrow:

Example destination	Distance	Compensation
London (LGW)	40 km	€250
Málaga (AGP)	1,676 km	€400
Tel Aviv (TLV)	3,589 km	€600

Airlines at this airport

Claim guides for the main carriers operating here:

Common questions

My flight departed Heathrow — is it EU261 or UK261?: UK departures are covered by UK261, with the same distance bands paid in pounds: £220, £350 and £520 instead of €250, €400 and €600. The 3-hour threshold and 14-day cancellation notice rules are the same.
BA rebooked me on a later flight from Heathrow. Do I still claim?: If you arrived 3+ hours late at your destination, yes. The notice period and rerouting timing windows determine whether compensation is due on top of your replacement flight.
Where do I escalate a refused claim?: For UK departures, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). For flights arriving at Heathrow on an EU airline, the regulator of the country you departed from.

Primary sources

Official guidance and legislation used to review this page.

Delays, cancellations and refunds — UK Civil Aviation Authority
Delays, cancellations and refunds — UK Civil Aviation Authority