Flight Diverted Compensation: Here’s What UK Passengers Need to Know

Flight Diverted — Do You Qualify for Compensation?

A flight diversion can be stressful—especially when it means extra waiting, arriving late, or landing at the wrong airport. Both UK and EU regulations, including EU regulation 261/2004, govern compensation for diverted flights. Under UK261 and EU261, you may be entitled to up to £520 (€600 in the EU) if your final arrival is delayed 3 hours or more and the diversion was within the airline’s control. Passengers on a package holiday are also able to claim compensation under these regulations. These rules apply to both European airlines and UK airlines, such as British Airways and easyJet, and passengers are able to claim if their flight meets the criteria.

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When Does Flight Diversion Compensation Apply?

You may claim compensation if:

Your flight was diverted to another airport, AND
You reached your final destination 3+ hours late, AND
The cause of the diversion was within the airline’s control (e.g., technical faults, airline staff strike, crew scheduling).

Compensation generally applies if your flight was operated by a UK airline, an EU airline, or if your flight departed from the UK or an EU country. Flights involving a non-EU country and operated by a non-EU airline may not be covered under EU Regulation 261. The airline operating the flight is responsible for handling compensation claims.

You may not be entitled to compensation if the diversion was caused by:

Severe weather conditions
Air traffic control strikes or restrictions (decisions made by air traffic controllers, outside the airline's control)
Airport staff/security strikes
Medical emergencies on board
Security risks

Even in these cases, the airline must still provide duty of care.

Compensation Amounts for Diversions

The table below shows how much compensation passengers can claim for a diverted flight under UK261 and EU261. These are the standard flight compensation amounts for diverted flight compensation.

Flight Distance	Arrival Delay	UK261 Compensation	EU261 Equivalent
≤ 1,500 km	3+ hours	£220	€250
1,500–3,500 km	3+ hours	£350	€400
> 3,500 km	3–4 hours	£260	€300
> 3,500 km	4+ hours	£520	€600

Duty of Care During a Diversion

Even if no compensation applies, airlines must provide support:

2h+ short-haul delay → meals & refreshments (only reasonable costs and reasonable expenses, such as reasonable food and transport costs, will be reimbursed; keep all receipts)
3h+ medium-haul delay → meals, refreshments, 2 calls/emails (reimbursement applies only to reasonable expenses with receipts)
4h+ long-haul delay → meals, refreshments, 2 calls/emails (reasonable costs only, with receipts required)
Overnight diversion → hotel accommodation + transport (reasonable expenses only; luxury hotels or upgrades are not usually covered; keep receipts for all transport costs)

If you need to buy food, only reasonable food and drink (not alcohol or luxury items) will be covered.

Alternative transport, such as buses or trains, may be provided by the airline, and they must ensure comparable transport conditions to your original booking.

If you are delayed overnight, the airline must provide hotel accommodation, but expenses for luxury hotels or upgrades are not usually covered.

Reasonable costs for car hire or onward travel may be reimbursed if necessary and supported by receipts.

Tip: If the airline doesn’t provide vouchers, buy essentials and keep receipts—you may reclaim costs.

Special Situations: Landed at a Different Airport

If your flight was diverted to another airport, the airline must:

Provide transport to the original flight's destination airport, OR
Cover the cost of onward travel to your ticketed destination.

If the airline cannot provide onward travel, you may need to make your own arrangements and claim reasonable costs back. The airline may also offer alternative travel options, and must consider the needs of other passengers affected by the diversion.

Failure to provide this may strengthen your claim.

Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Diversion

Ask the airline staff for rerouting details and onward transport, including information about any rerouted flight.
Keep all receipts (food, hotel, transport).
Document all flight details: booking reference, flight number, rerouted flight information, boarding passes, diversion notice, and arrival time.
Track your final arrival time — this determines eligibility.
Submit your claim if you arrived 3+ hours late and the airline was at fault.

Claiming compensation may require additional documentation, and you can request further assistance from the airline if needed.

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Common Diversion Scenarios Explained

Scenario	Duty of Care	Compensation?
Bad weather (extraordinary)	Yes	No
Air traffic control strike	Yes	No
Airport security/baggage strike	Yes	No
Airline staff strike	Yes	Yes (≥3h delay, delayed or cancelled flight)
Technical fault	Yes	Yes (≥3h delay, delayed or cancelled flight)
Crew sickness Passenger sickness	Yes Yes	Yes (≥3h delay, delayed or cancelled flight) No
Security threat	Yes	No

Note: If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation under EU261. A long delay (over 3 hours) or a delayed flight can also qualify for compensation, depending on the circumstances. The same rules apply to a cancelled flight. Always check your rights if your flight is delayed, you experience a flight delay, or your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Claiming Checklist

Before filing, gather:

Booking reference (PNR)
Proof of diversion (boarding passes, airline notice, arrival confirmation)
Delay notifications (emails, texts, app alerts)
Receipts (meals, hotel, transport to original airport)
Passenger names (on paid tickets)
Check if your claim covers all flights on the same booking, including return flights, connecting flights, and other flights affected by the disruption.

Note: If you booked separate flights or two separate flights, you may need to claim for each flight individually, as these are not covered under a single booking.

Reminder: Review your travel insurance policy for additional coverage or reimbursement options for costs not covered by the airline.

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Most passengers don’t realise they’re entitled to hundreds of pounds in compensation when flights are diverted. Don’t let the airline keep what’s yours.

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Final Note

At MyFlightRefund, we specialise in helping UK and EU passengers claim compensation for delayed, cancelled, and diverted flights. If your flight was diverted yesterday—or last week—you may still be entitled to up to £520/€600 per person.