ANSWER · UK 261
How long do I have to claim compensation for a UK flight?
Six years in England and Wales, running from the date of the flight. Section 5 of the Limitation Act 1980 bars an action founded on simple contract after six years from the date the cause of action accrued, and a compensation claim under the retained regulation is brought on that footing. Scotland applies a shorter prescriptive period.
REVIEWED AGAINST RULE SET V6 AND THE CITED PRIMARY SOURCES · UPDATED 7 AUGUST 2026
Where the six years comes from
Section 5 provides that an action founded on simple contract shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued. Regulation 261/2004 does not set its own deadline, and Cuadrench Moré confirmed that the limit comes from national law rather than from the two year period in the Montreal Convention.
What our engine does with that
| THRESHOLD | DAYS AFTER THE FLIGHT | WHAT HAPPENS |
|---|---|---|
| Assessed normally | 0 to 2010 | The free check runs the full assessment |
| Near expiry | 2011 to 2190 | Referred to a partner rather than taken on under time pressure |
| Time barred | Over 2190 | Declined |
Why the clock is not the same everywhere in the UK
Scots law applies its own prescriptive period, which is shorter than the English one. The relevant question is which court would hear the claim, and that is a fact about the flight and the parties rather than about the regulation.
THE JUDGMENTS BEHIND THIS ANSWER
SOURCES
- Limitation Act 1980, s. 5 · legislation.gov.uk · checked 7 August 2026
- Case C-139/11 Cuadrench Moré v KLM, judgment of 22 November 2012 (ECLI:EU:C:2012:741) · EUR-Lex · checked 7 August 2026
- The Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/278), reg. 8 · legislation.gov.uk · checked 7 August 2026
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