For many of us, the summer holiday starts with excitement – the buzz of packing, getting to the airport, and picturing yourself on a sun-soaked beach. But when things don’t go to plan, like a flight delay or cancellation, it can quickly turn into a stressful experience.

If this happens to you, it’s helpful to know what your rights are and what support is available. This guide explains your options if your travel has been disrupted, and what steps you can take next.

Delayed Flights – What Support Can I Get?
If your flight is delayed and due to leave from or arrive into the UK or EU, and it’s operated by a UK or EU airline, you may be entitled to help during the delay – and in some cases, compensation too.

The level of support depends on how long you’re waiting and how far you’re travelling. As a general guide:

• After 2 hours (short flights), 3 hours (medium-haul), or 4 hours (long-haul) – the airline should offer you food, drinks, and a way to communicate (like a phone call or email). Often this is through vouchers.
• If the delay means an overnight stay, the airline should arrange accommodation and transport to and from the hotel.

If the airline doesn’t step in, you can make your own arrangements – just make sure to keep receipts. It’s important to remember that the airline only needs to cover reasonable costs, so luxury hotels or expensive meals might not be reimbursed. Ideally get a couple of quotes/evidence of costs (like screenshots of hotel prices) to prove you’ve been reasonable in making your decision. This will make your claim more difficult to dispute.

You might also be entitled to compensation, depending on how late you arrive at your final destination – not when you actually left.

What If the Delay Is More Than Five Hours?
If your flight is delayed by five hours or more, you don’t have to travel. You can choose not to take the flight and instead ask for a full refund – this includes any other flights in your booking that you can’t use.

If you do go ahead with the journey, you might still be eligible for compensation if you arrive late enough.

Cancelled Flights – What Are My Options?
Flight cancellations are disruptive, but your rights are clear: the airline should either offer you an alternative flight or a full refund. If you’re already part-way through your journey and decide not to continue, the airline must provide a flight back to your original airport.

If your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you could also claim compensation – unless there were “extraordinary circumstances” outside the airline’s control (more on that below).

The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance and how long you’re delayed arriving at your destination. For example:

• Short-haul flights – up to £220
• Medium-haul flights – up to £350
• Long-haul flights – up to £520

What Counts as “Extraordinary Circumstances”?
Sometimes, airlines can refuse compensation if the delay or cancellation was caused by something genuinely out of their hands. This might include:

• Severe weather conditions
• Security alerts
• Air traffic control strikes

But things like staff shortages or technical issues usually don’t count. If you think your claim has been wrongly rejected, check whether the airline is part of an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. If they’re not, you can contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for help.

What If It’s Part of a Package Holiday?
If your flight was booked as part of a package holiday, you have extra protection. The holiday company should either:

• Find a suitable alternative flight, or
• Offer you a full refund if that’s not possible

This applies as long as your holiday included at least two parts – for example, flights and accommodation, or flights and car hire. If your issue isn’t resolved, you can speak to ABTA (or AITO, if your holiday was booked through one of their members).

Making a Claim
To claim compensation or a refund, it’s best to go directly to the airline you were due to fly with – even if you booked through a third party or travel site. Most airlines have a claim form on their website.

Avoid using claims companies if possible – they often take a large cut of any compensation.

You’ll usually need:

• Your booking details
• Flight number
• Receipts for any out-of-pocket costs

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
It’s also worth checking your travel insurance policy – some cover extra expenses like missed connections, hotel stays, or even the cost of replacing lost days of your trip.

And if you paid by credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act may help you recover costs from your card provider if the airline or holiday provider goes bust.

Final Thoughts
Flight delays and cancellations are never ideal – especially when you’re looking forward to a well-earned break. But understanding your rights means you’re in a better position to get the help you need if things go wrong.

If you’d like more guidance on how to handle a travel issue or need help with making a claim, our legal advisors are here to help