British Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation

Table of contents

Why Do British Airways Cancel Flights?

Cancelled flights don’t happen all that often – it just seems like they do because people mention them so much! When they do happen though, they are incredibly inconvenient, often leading to passengers missing meetings, or being late for family functions. So, why exactly do airlines cancel flights? Well, the answer sometimes lies with external factors, and other times it lies squarely at the feet of the airline itself…

It’s important to understand the difference between flights being cancelled by BA, and flights being cancelled through no fault of their own. This is because the former type are eligible for cancelled flight compensation, while the latter are not. So, firstly you’ll see a list of the reasons why flights are cancelled through no fault of BA…

• Extreme weather. This is the main reason for flight cancellations, and can include heavy snow and heavy fog.
• Air traffic congestion. This isn’t the fault of the airline, however rarely leads to cancellations. Instead, it often simply leads to delays.
• Security issues. In this post 9/11 world, security issues are all too common and airline have no choice to cancel when faced with one.
• Government intervention. Sometimes a government will prohibit air travel to a destination, and this is no fault of the airline.
• Problems within the airport. Problems in an airport can easily cause a cancellation, and this is the fault of the airport owners, not British Airways.

So, all of the above reasons for cancellations are not generally eligible for cancelled flight compensation. The next set of reasons are the fault of the airline though, so can lead to money being paid back to passengers.

• Maintenance Problems. If an airline has to cancel a flight because the plane is not in good condition, the fault lies squarely with them and you should be compensated.
• Airline glitches. Small problems within the airline’s system can lead to some significant knock-on issues, however they could be prevented so therefore compensation is deserved.
• Late arrivals. By this, late arrivals mean the aircraft arriving late from a previous journey, meaning that it is not then ready to take off on its next flight.
• Fuelling. This can be the cause of the airline, however it can also be the fault of the airport. This means that it is sometimes eligible for cancelled flight compensation.

It should be noted that BA never cancel flights in order to save themselves money – this is simply a myth dreamt up by disgruntled passengers. In fact, every cancelled flight costs BA a hefty fine, and these fines run into millions (if not billions) every year. The reason for an airline cancelling usually has more to do with preventing delays further down the line, which would then lead to even more passengers being affected.

Explained: EU Rule 261/2004

EU Rule 261/2004 is the most important piece of law for passengers affected by a flight cancellation. This is because it’s the ruling made by the European Union that passengers who have experienced a cancelled flight are eligible for compensation, providing the cancellation was the fault of the airline. So, when we pursue cancelled flight compensation from British Airways on your behalf, this is the legislation that we always use. The fact that we have a 98% success rate shows that this ruling is a pretty water-tight one.

It should be noted that British Airways is one of the better airlines when it comes to adhering to these rules. A poll run on Money Saving Expert found that they paid 35% of claims without any fight, which was much higher than other popular airlines, such as EasyJet and Ryanair. They will still try to get out of paying if they can though, which is why it’s best to go through an experienced and knowledgeable compensation company, such as the one found on this site.

Compensation: The Different Routes to Take

There are basically three different routes to take if you want to get cancelled flight compensation, and the first of these is by going it alone. This means approaching the airline with your demands and then dealing with any excuses or rebuttals that they might come up with – something that can be frustrating and extremely time consuming. While BA is one of the best airlines for paying out compensation, a 35% success rate isn’t that good. This however this goes up significantly when employing a professional to represent you.

The next option is to hire a solicitor, although there are few who specialise in this area. There’s a big problem here too though, as hiring a solicitor when looking to claim cancelled flight compensation from BA is going to be expensive, and you run the risk of the costs not being covered should your claim be an unsuccessful one. Is it really worth running up these bills, when you could use the next option instead?

The final option is using the service provided by us, which is affordable and highly effective. We have a 98% success rate when it comes to cancelled flight compensation claims, and we regularly take on BA on behalf of customers. Our fees are only charged should your claim be a successful one, therefore meaning that you’ll never risk running up huge bills when trying to get compensation.

As can be seen, claiming cancelled flight compensation is best done through our service. So, why not get started right now by filling in the form at the top of this page?

How Much Compensation Can Be Claimed?

EU Rule 261/2004 is very specific with the amount that can be claimed by passengers, and it even gives maximum amounts split into three different categories. So, for those with a trip of less than 1,500km cancelled, the most that can be claimed is £200, while passengers with cancelled flights with a planned distance of 1,500km to 3,500km can claim up to £350. The highest amount that can be claimed is £500, and this is reserved for cancelled long-haul flights, which have to have been scheduled to be over 3,500km. It should be noted that the EU gives the compensation amounts in Euros, so those in the UK could find that they go up or down, depending on exchange rates.

Are All Cancelled BA Flights Eligible for Compensation?

Because British Airways is an airline registered in the EU, any cancelled BA flight is eligible for compensation. This is down to EU Rule 261/2004, which states that only airlines registered outside the EU are exempt from compensation payments (and only then if they are landing in Europe, as those taking off from Europe are still liable). This means that, regardless of your starting point and your destination, you can claim compensation from BA if the cancellation is deemed to be their own fault. If you are still unsure though, why not fill in the form at the top of this page? We’ll then get back to you and let you know if you’re eligible.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Cancelled Flight?

As soon as you hear over the tannoy that your flight has been cancelled, the most tempting thing to do is pick up your bags and head home. This, however, is a bad idea, and could put any chances of claiming cancelled flight compensation into jeopardy. This is because airlines can deliver passengers to their destination up to three hours late, and avoid having to pay any compensation. So, as soon as a flight is cancelled, you should head to the BA desk and ask them about any provisions they’ve made, as they just might have some seats on a slightly later flight.

If you do not accept the seat on a later flight (offered to you within three hours of your scheduled flight), you will have given up your chance for compensation. So, hang around and listen out for messages coming over the tannoy. If nothing is said, you can possibly get compensation; if you do get a seat, your trip will still be on – albeit running slightly late.

It’s also worth mentioning that, should a flight get cancelled, BA are obliged to offer complementary refreshments, food and accommodation, so make sure you ask for it. You might need to pay upfront though, before sending any receipts to them later for repayment.

Get Your Compensation Claim Started Today

Now you should know everything you need to know about claiming cancelled flight compensation from BA. All that’s now needed is for you to fill in your details at the top of the page and get the process started. With a 98% success rate, you know you’ve got a great chance of getting compensation when you work with us!