Does UK261 apply to my flight, and which law covers it?
The short answer
GOV.UK says UK law covers flights that depart from a UK airport on any airline, arrive at a UK airport on a UK or EU airline, or arrive at an EU airport on a UK airline. A US airline flying into the UK is not covered by that wording. We could not read an official EU page on EU261 scope, so check the European Commission for EU rules.
The three cases GOV.UK lists
The GOV.UK air passenger guide says its information is only relevant to flights covered by UK law. A flight is covered if it meets one of these tests.
- It departs from a UK airport, on any airline.
- It arrives at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline.
- It arrives at an EU airport on a UK airline.
What this means for US travellers
A flight from the US to the UK on a US airline does not match any of the three tests above, so UK law, as GOV.UK summarises it, would not cover it. The same flight on a UK or EU airline would be covered. A flight from the UK to the US on any airline is covered. For flights within the US or to and from the US, US Department of Transportation rules are the separate regime, and the DOT pages on refunds are the place to check.
What this means for EU travellers
The GOV.UK guide has no separate EU section and does not address EU airlines departing from EU airports. Those flights fall under EU rules, not UK law. We have not stated EU amounts or scope in detail here because we could not read an official EU page, so check the European Commission or the airline.
Why the law matters
The law that covers your flight decides the amounts and process. Under UK law the CAA sets out fixed delay amounts of £220, £350, £260 or £520 depending on distance and delay. Rules and fees change, so check the official pages before you claim.
Sources: GOV.UK: Air passenger travel guide, summary of passenger rights, UK Civil Aviation Authority: flight delays. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Does UK law apply if I fly from the UK on a US airline?
Yes. GOV.UK says UK law covers flights departing from a UK airport on any airline.
Does UK law apply to a US airline flight arriving in the UK?
GOV.UK only lists arrivals at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, so a US airline arrival is not listed.
Does UK law apply to a UK airline flying into the EU?
Yes. GOV.UK lists arrival at an EU airport on a UK airline.
Is UK261 the same as EU261?
The CAA describes UK261 as based on Regulation (EU) No. 261/2004 as it applies in UK law. EU261 is the version applied in the EU. Check amounts and scope separately for each.
Who do I contact about a UK covered flight?
The airline first. The CAA says airlines have eight weeks to respond, after which you can escalate to an ADR provider or the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team.