ANSWER · UK 261 AND EC 261

How much is a delayed flight claim worth?

Between €250 and €600 per passenger under EC 261, and between £220 and £520 under UK 261, set by the great circle distance from departure to final destination. The amount is per passenger on a paid seat, so a family of four on a long haul flight is looking at four times the top band, before any Art. 7(2) reduction.

REVIEWED AGAINST RULE SET V6 AND THE CITED PRIMARY SOURCES · UPDATED 7 AUGUST 2026

The bands

PER PASSENGER, BY GREAT CIRCLE DISTANCE
DISTANCE BAND	EC 261	UK 261
Up to 1,500 km	€250	£220
1,500 to 3,500 km	€400	£350
Over 3,500 km	€600	£520

Bands and amounts read from rule set v5, the same data the free check evaluates. EC 261 figures are set by Art. 7(1); the sterling figures were substituted by SI 2019/278 for flights covered by the retained regulation.

What multiplies the amount

Each passenger on a paid seat counts separately, children included.
Distance runs to the final ticketed destination, so a short connecting leg can carry a long haul band.
Care costs, meaning meals, calls and accommodation, sit on top of compensation rather than inside it.

What reduces it

The Art. 7(2) reduction above 3,500 km, which brings €600 down to €300 and £520 down to £260.
A proven extraordinary circumstance, which removes compensation entirely while leaving the care duty in place.
Our fee, if you use us rather than claiming yourself. It is published on the fees page and deducted from what the airline pays.

What does not change it

The fare. Art. 7 fixes the sums by distance, so €600 is €600 whether the ticket cost 89 euros or 2,000.

SOURCES

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Art. 7 · 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