What can I claim if my flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure?
The short answer
If you were told about a cancellation less than 14 days before departure, you may be able to claim fixed compensation as well as a refund or rerouting, but only if the cancellation was the airline's fault. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sets amounts of £220, £350 or £520 per person depending on distance, notice and how late the replacement flight gets you in.
Refund or rerouting comes first
The CAA says that when a flight is cancelled you can choose a refund for all unused parts of the ticket, or an alternative flight. The airline must find you the alternative, and you can choose to travel as soon as possible or at a later date. The GOV.UK passenger guide says a refund should be paid within 7 days.
If another airline or form of transport would get you there significantly sooner, the CAA says you may be able to ask for it.
When compensation can apply
The CAA page says: if you received less than 14 days' notice of the cancellation, you may also be able to claim compensation. It adds that if the cancellation was not the airline's fault, you should not expect any. Extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather or strikes are not eligible.
Compensation is paid per person and the CAA ties the amount to how much notice you were given and how the replacement flight compares with your original times.
Amounts the CAA lists
The CAA gives different tables for 7 to 14 days' notice and for less than 7 days' notice. The figures below are per person. The page attaches conditions and exceptions to each table, so read the CAA table for your exact timings.
- 7 to 14 days' notice, short-haul (under 1,500km): £220 if you arrive two or more hours late, £110 if less than two hours late.
- 7 to 14 days' notice, medium-haul (1,500km to 3,500km): £350 if three or more hours late, £175 if less than three hours late.
- 7 to 14 days' notice, long-haul (over 3,500km): £520 if four or more hours late, £260 if less than four hours late.
- Less than 7 days' notice: no compensation if the new flight departs no more than one hour before the original time and arrives less than two hours after the original arrival time. Otherwise £220 (short-haul, two hours or more), £350 (medium-haul, three hours or more), £520 (long-haul, four hours or more) or £260 (long-haul, less than four hours).
Food, hotel and transport while you wait
The CAA says airlines must provide food and drink, a means to communicate, accommodation if you are rerouted to the next day, and transport to and from that accommodation, until you can be flown to your destination.
If the airline cannot arrange care, you may organise reasonable care yourself and claim it back later. Keep receipts. The CAA says luxury hotels and alcohol are unlikely to be refunded.
UK, EU and US travellers
This page reflects the UK CAA guidance for UK passengers. EU rules and US Department of Transportation rules are separate and are not covered here, so a US-bound or EU-departing journey may be treated differently. The CAA cancellations page did not state any time limit for making a claim.
Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Sources: UK CAA: Flight cancellations, UK CAA: Flight delays, GOV.UK: Air passenger travel guide, summary of passenger rights. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get compensation if the airline cancels 3 weeks before?
The CAA page ties fixed compensation to cancellations notified less than 14 days before departure. For notice longer than that, the page does not describe a fixed sum, but you can still choose a refund or an alternative flight.
Do I still get a refund if I cannot claim compensation?
Yes. The CAA says you can choose a refund for all unused parts of the ticket or an alternative flight, regardless of whether compensation applies.
Is bad weather or a strike covered?
The CAA says extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather or strikes are not eligible for compensation, although the airline's duty to offer a refund or rerouting is separate.
Do I have to claim from the airline or the CAA?
The CAA pages say compensation is not paid automatically and you claim from your airline first. The GOV.UK guide says to complain to the airline directly, then refer to an ADR provider or the CAA if you are not satisfied.
Is there a deadline for claiming?
Neither the CAA cancellations page nor the GOV.UK summary states a time limit, so the page cannot give you a number. Claim as soon as you can and keep your paperwork.