Flight Compensation UK 2025: All Major Airlines Are Worse Than Pre-Pandemic – Wizz Air Forced to Pay £1.24 Million

The shocking reality: Every major UK airline – British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2, and Wizz Air – now performs worse than before the pandemic. Gatwick Airport averages 23+ minutes delay per departure. The CAA forced Wizz Air to pay £1.24 million in compensation they had wrongfully denied. And you? You're entitled to £220-£520 for every delay over 3 hours.

Contents

• •UK Airlines 2025: All Worse Than Pre-Pandemic
• •Wizz Air Scandal: CAA Forces £1.24 Million Payout
• •Gatwick: Britain's Worst Airport for Delays
• •2024 Chaos: IT Outage, Fog, E-Gate Failures
• •UK261 vs EU261: Your Rights Post-Brexit
• •How to Claim £220-£520 Compensation
• •Tactical Guide by Airline
• •Real Compensation Examples
• •Sample Claim Letter
• •FAQ

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UK Airlines 2025: All Worse Than Pre-Pandemic

Every Major Airline Has Got Worse

According to Which? analysis of CAA data (May 2024 - April 2025), all six major UK airlines now have worse punctuality than in 2019:

| Airline | On-Time 2024/25 | On-Time 2019 | Change | |---------|-----------------|--------------|--------| | British Airways | 68.7% | 71.5% | -2.8% | | EasyJet | 67.8% | 70.6% | -2.8% | | Ryanair | 66.5% | 77.8% | -11.3% | | Wizz Air | 66.0% | N/A | - | | TUI | 59.2% | 61.4% | -2.2% |

TUI is the worst performer – only 59.2% of flights depart within 15 minutes of scheduled time.

Ryanair has collapsed the most – dropping 11.3 percentage points despite being the most punctual in 2019.

British Airways: Most Cancellations

While BA topped the punctuality rankings, they also had the highest cancellation rate at 2.33% of all flights. Compare this to Jet2's industry-leading 0.12% cancellation rate.

Why Are Airlines Struggling?

Multiple factors contribute to the chaos:

• •Air Traffic Control shortages – EUROCONTROL reports staffing 10-20% below required levels
• •Massive expansion – Ryanair flew 17.5% more flights than 2019
• •Crew shortages – Post-pandemic hiring hasn't kept pace
• •Airport infrastructure – Terminals designed for fewer passengers

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Wizz Air Scandal: CAA Forces £1.24 Million Payout

January 2024: The Enforcement Action

On 17 January 2024, the UK Civil Aviation Authority announced that enforcement action against Wizz Air resulted in £1.24 million being refunded to passengers.

The Numbers:

• •25,000+ claims re-examined by the CAA
• •6,000 cases received additional payments
• •£1.24 million total forced refunds

Why Was Wizz Air Investigated?

The CAA took action after serious concerns about:

• •High volumes of complaints
• •Failure to meet passenger rights obligations
• •Not paying passengers what they're owed
• •Systematic rejection of valid claims

Wizz Air's Response

Following the enforcement action, Wizz Air claimed to have invested £90 million to improve operations. The CAA has indicated it is now "satisfied" with the airline's actions – but passengers should remain vigilant.

What This Means for You

If you had a Wizz Air claim rejected before January 2024, you may be entitled to review. The CAA's action proves that airlines systematically deny valid claims hoping passengers will give up.

Action: Don't accept rejection. Appeal every denied claim.

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Gatwick: Britain's Worst Airport for Delays

23+ Minutes Average Delay

Gatwick Airport holds the unwanted title of UK's worst airport for flight delays, with departures averaging more than 23 minutes behind schedule in 2024.

Why This Matters:

• •Gatwick is the UK's second busiest airport
• •Over 40 million passengers affected annually
• •Delays cascade throughout the day

Manchester: Third Worst

Manchester Airport ranks third worst in the UK, with flights delayed by 20 minutes on average.

The Ripple Effect

When morning flights from Gatwick run late:

• •Aircraft arrive late at their next destination
• •Return flights are delayed
• •Crew "time out" due to working hour regulations
• •Evening flights get cancelled
• •Passengers stranded overnight

This means: Even if your flight isn't directly affected by an incident, you may be entitled to compensation due to knock-on delays.

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2024 Chaos: IT Outage, Fog, E-Gate Failures

July 19, 2024: The CrowdStrike Catastrophe

A global IT outage caused unprecedented chaos across UK airports:

• •4,300 flights cancelled worldwide by 6:00 PM UK time
• •Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick severely affected
• •Busiest day for UK departures since October 2019
• •3,214 flights scheduled – highest daily figure in years

Your Rights: The CrowdStrike outage was caused by a faulty software update – NOT extraordinary circumstances. Airlines cannot use this to deny compensation.

December 2024: Dense Fog Disaster

The festive period saw widespread disruption from thick fog:

• •Almost every Manchester flight delayed on Friday
• •Majority delayed by 2+ hours
• •Gatwick and Manchester passengers faced 4+ hour delays
• •Hundreds of flights cancelled across UK

Important: Dense fog CAN be extraordinary circumstances – but only if it genuinely makes flying unsafe. If other airlines flew the same route, you're likely entitled to compensation.

May 2024: E-Gate Meltdown

Electronic passport gates failed at seven major UK airports:

• •Heathrow
• •Gatwick
• •Stansted
• •Edinburgh
• •Birmingham
• •Manchester
• •Bristol

Result: Border chaos, missed connections, and massive delays. While e-gate failures don't directly trigger compensation, if they caused you to miss a flight you'd already checked in for, you may have a denied boarding claim.

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UK261 vs EU261: Your Rights Post-Brexit

What is UK261?

After Brexit, the UK retained EU261 protections through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, creating domestic law known as "UK261" effective 30 December 2020.

Key Differences

| Aspect | EU261 | UK261 | |--------|-------|-------| | Currency | €250-€600 | £220-£520 | | Coverage | EU departures + EU airline arrivals | UK departures + UK airline arrivals | | Time Limit | 2-6 years (varies by country) | 6 years | | Regulator | National Aviation Authorities | UK CAA |

When UK261 Applies

UK261 covers flights:

• •✅ Departing from any UK airport (any airline)
• •✅ Arriving in UK on a UK-registered airline
• •✅ Within the UK

When EU261 Still Applies (for UK Passengers)

EU261 covers:

• •✅ Departing from any EU airport (any airline)
• •✅ Arriving in EU on an EU-registered airline

Overlapping Routes

For flights between UK and EU, you can choose which regulation to claim under. Strategic tip: UK261 offers a 6-year time limit – longest in Europe.

2025 Warning: EU261 Changes Coming

Important news: EU transport ministers voted in June 2025 to change EU261 rules:

• •4-hour delay threshold (up from 3 hours) for short/medium flights
• •Reduced compensation amounts proposed

These changes don't affect UK261, which remains separate UK law. Until the EU Parliament votes (expected late 2025), current EU261 rules remain in effect.

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How to Claim £220-£520 Compensation

UK261 Compensation Amounts

| Flight Distance | Delay Required | Compensation | |-----------------|----------------|--------------| | Up to 1,500 km | 3+ hours | £220 | | 1,500 - 3,500 km | 3+ hours | £350 | | Over 3,500 km | 4+ hours | £520 |

Common UK Routes

| Route | Distance | Compensation | |-------|----------|--------------| | London → Edinburgh | 534 km | £220 | | London → Dublin | 464 km | £220 | | London → Amsterdam | 358 km | £220 | | London → Paris | 344 km | £220 | | London → Barcelona | 1,138 km | £220 | | London → Rome | 1,435 km | £220 | | London → Athens | 2,391 km | £350 | | London → Dubai | 5,479 km | £520 | | London → New York | 5,567 km | £520 |

When You CAN'T Claim

Airlines can refuse compensation for genuine extraordinary circumstances:

• •✅ Severe weather making flight unsafe
• •✅ Terrorism threats
• •✅ Air traffic control strikes
• •✅ Political instability/war

When You CAN Claim (Despite Airline Excuses)

These are NOT extraordinary circumstances:

• •❌ Technical/mechanical problems
• •❌ Crew shortages
• •❌ Airline staff strikes
• •❌ Previous flight delays (knock-on)
• •❌ IT outages (like CrowdStrike)
• •❌ Overbooking
• •❌ Normal fog/rain if other flights operated

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Tactical Guide by Airline

British Airways

Success Rate: High Processing Time: 4-8 weeks Cancellation Rate: 2.33% (highest among majors)

Tactics:

• •Use BA's online claims portal at ba.com
• •Include booking reference and flight details
• •BA has a formal appeals process if denied
• •Escalate to CAA if no response in 6 weeks
• •Mention UK261 specifically in your claim

EasyJet

Success Rate: Medium-High Processing Time: 6-8 weeks On-Time Rate: 67.8%

Tactics:

• •Use easyjet.com/en/compensation
• •Provide booking reference and flight number
• •EasyJet generally pays valid claims without dispute
• •If denied, request specific reason citing UK261
• •Escalate to CAA with documentation

Ryanair

Success Rate: Low initially, High after escalation Processing Time: 8-16 weeks Collapse: -11.3% punctuality vs 2019

Tactics:

• •Document EVERYTHING – screenshots, photos, receipts
• •Submit via ryanair.com EU261 form
• •Expect rejection – Ryanair systematically denies claims
• •Never accept first rejection
• •Appeal with evidence:
• •Other flights to same destination operated normally
• •FlightRadar24 data
• •Weather reports showing conditions were flyable
• •Escalate to CAA within 8 weeks of rejection
• •Consider claims service for complex cases

TUI

Success Rate: Medium Processing Time: 8-12 weeks On-Time Rate: 59.2% (WORST of major UK airlines)

Tactics:

• •TUI's poor punctuality means more compensation opportunities
• •Submit claim via TUI website
• •Be persistent – follow up every 2 weeks
• •Document delays with photos of departure boards
• •TUI often offers vouchers – insist on cash

Jet2

Success Rate: High Processing Time: 4-6 weeks Cancellation Rate: 0.12% (best in industry)

Tactics:

• •Jet2 has excellent cancellation record but delays still occur
• •Claims process relatively straightforward
• •Generally pays valid claims promptly
• •Good customer service reputation

Wizz Air

Success Rate: LOW (improving after CAA enforcement) Processing Time: 10-20+ weeks Reputation: Worst UK airline 3 years running

Tactics:

• •Submit via wizzair.com claim form
• •Do NOT accept vouchers
• •Document everything obsessively
• •Escalate immediately if rejected
• •Reference CAA's £1.24M enforcement action
• •Consider claims service – Wizz Air's rejection rate makes DIY claims frustrating
• •Be prepared for very long waits

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Real Compensation Examples

Example 1: Ryanair Technical Delay – London → Dublin

Situation: Business traveller flying Ryanair from Stansted to Dublin. 4-hour delay due to "technical issues."

Calculation:

• •Distance: 464 km (short-haul)
• •Compensation: £220
• •Plus: Meal voucher during delay

Result: £220 compensation. Technical issues are NOT extraordinary circumstances!

Example 2: BA Cancellation – Heathrow → New York

Situation: Couple flying British Airways from Heathrow to JFK. Flight cancelled 3 days before departure, rebooked next day.

Calculation:

• •Distance: 5,567 km (long-haul)
• •Compensation: £520 × 2 people = £1,040
• •Plus: Hotel and meals for overnight wait

Result: £1,040 compensation plus expenses.

Example 3: EasyJet Gatwick Delay – Gatwick → Barcelona

Situation: Family of 4 flying EasyJet from Gatwick to Barcelona. 5-hour delay due to "late arriving aircraft."

Calculation:

• •Distance: 1,138 km (short-haul)
• •Compensation: £220 × 4 = £880

Result: £880 compensation. "Late arriving aircraft" = knock-on delay = NOT extraordinary circumstances!

Example 4: Wizz Air Denied Claim (Overturned)

Situation: Student flying Wizz Air from Luton to Budapest. 4-hour delay. Wizz Air rejected claim citing "operational issues."

Calculation:

• •Distance: 1,451 km (short-haul)
• •Compensation: £220

Initial Result: Claim rejected. After CAA Complaint: £220 paid after 4 months.

Lesson: Never accept Wizz Air's first rejection!

Example 5: TUI Holiday Delay – Manchester → Tenerife

Situation: Couple on TUI package holiday. Outbound flight delayed 6 hours due to "crew unavailability."

Calculation:

• •Distance: 2,893 km (medium-haul)
• •Compensation: £350 × 2 = £700
• •Plus: Lost holiday time (may claim additional damages)

Result: £700 compensation. Crew unavailability is the airline's fault!

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Sample Claim Letter

 [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Email] [Date]


[Airline Name] Customer Relations / Claims Department [Airline Address]

Re: UK261/EU261 Compensation Claim – Flight [Flight Number] on [Date]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to claim compensation under UK Air Passenger Rights Regulation (UK261) for a significant flight delay/cancellation.

FLIGHT DETAILS: Flight Number: [e.g., BA456] Date: [e.g., 15 December 2024] Route: [e.g., London Heathrow (LHR) to New York JFK (JFK)] Booking Reference: [e.g., ABC123] Scheduled Departure: [e.g., 10:00] Actual Departure: [e.g., 14:30] Scheduled Arrival: [e.g., 13:00 local] Actual Arrival: [e.g., 17:30 local] Arrival Delay: [e.g., 4 hours 30 minutes]

PASSENGERS:

•[Full Name as per booking]
•[Full Name – if multiple passengers]


Under UK261 (retained EU Regulation 261/2004), I am entitled to compensation of £[220/350/520] per passenger. The total claim for [X] passenger(s) is £[Total Amount].

I request payment by bank transfer within 14 days of this letter.

If you intend to reject this claim, I require a detailed written explanation citing the specific extraordinary circumstance under UK261 and evidence that you took all reasonable measures to avoid the delay.

Should I not receive a satisfactory response within 6 weeks, I will escalate this matter to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and reserve my right to pursue the claim through the County Court.

Enclosed:

•Copy of boarding pass(es)
•Booking confirmation
•Evidence of delay (screenshots, photographs)


Yours faithfully,

[Your Signature] [Your Name] [Your Phone Number] 

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FAQ

How long do I have to claim in the UK?

Under UK law, you have 6 years from the date of the flight to make a claim – the longest time limit in Europe. This means you can still claim for flights from 2019!

Does UK261 apply after Brexit?

Yes, absolutely. UK261 is now domestic UK law and mirrors EU261 exactly. The UK retained all passenger protection rights when leaving the EU.

What's the difference between UK261 and EU261?

Main differences:

• •Currency: UK261 uses pounds (£220-£520), EU261 uses euros (€250-€600)
• •Coverage: UK261 covers UK departures, EU261 covers EU departures
• •Time limit: UK has 6 years, EU varies (2-6 years by country)

For flights between UK and EU, you can choose which regulation to claim under.

Can I claim for flights from years ago?

Yes! The 6-year UK time limit means flights from 2019-2024 are all potentially claimable. Check your old emails for booking confirmations and delay notifications.

What if Ryanair/Wizz Air rejects my claim?

Do NOT give up! Both airlines have high rejection rates but low success rates at defending those rejections.

Steps:

• •Request written explanation of rejection reason
• •Gather evidence disproving their "extraordinary circumstances" claim
• •File complaint with UK CAA
• •Consider small claims court (up to £10,000, no lawyer needed)

Does the CrowdStrike IT outage count as extraordinary circumstances?

No. The July 2024 global IT outage was caused by a faulty software update from CrowdStrike. This is a preventable technical failure, not an extraordinary circumstance like severe weather or terrorism. Airlines cannot use this to deny compensation.

What about the proposed EU261 changes?

EU transport ministers voted to change EU261 rules in June 2025, including:

• •4-hour delay threshold (instead of 3 hours)
• •Potentially reduced compensation

Important: These changes:

• •Haven't been voted on by EU Parliament yet
• •Won't take effect for 12-18 months after approval
• •Do NOT affect UK261 – UK law is separate

Current rules remain in effect for now.

Can airlines offer vouchers instead of cash?

Airlines often try this, but you have the right to cash compensation. Vouchers:

• •Have expiry dates
• •Can only be used with that airline
• •Are often worth less than face value

Always insist on cash. You can accept vouchers for care during the delay (meals, etc.) but compensation must be cash if you request it.

What documents do I need?

Essential:

• •Boarding pass (photo is fine)
• •Booking confirmation with flight number
• •Evidence of delay (screenshot of flight tracker, photo of departure board, airline delay notification)

Helpful:

• •Receipts for expenses during delay
• •Written communications with airline staff
• •Witness statements

If you've lost documents, airlines can verify your booking in their system using your booking reference.

How do I escalate to the CAA?

If an airline doesn't respond within 8 weeks or you're unhappy with their response:

• •Visit caa.co.uk/passengers
• •Use the online complaint form
• •Include all correspondence with airline
• •Attach evidence of your claim

The CAA will investigate and can take enforcement action against airlines that breach passenger rights.

Is it worth using a claims company?

Pros:

• •They handle all paperwork
• •No win, no fee
• •Higher success rate for difficult cases
• •Legal support if needed

Cons:

• •Commission of 25-35%
• •On a £220 claim, you'd receive £143-£165

Recommendation: Try claiming directly first for straightforward cases. Use a claims company if:

• •Airline repeatedly rejects your claim
• •You don't have time to pursue it
• •The case is complex (multiple legs, connections)

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Conclusion: Don't Leave Money on the Table

The data is clear: UK airlines are performing worse than ever, with all six major carriers below their pre-pandemic punctuality levels.

Your rights are strong:

• •UK261 guarantees £220-£520 for delays over 3 hours
• •6-year claim window – longest in Europe
• •CAA actively enforcing passenger rights (see: Wizz Air £1.24M payout)

Take action now:

• •✅ Check old flights (up to 6 years back)
• •✅ Document every future delay
• •✅ Never accept first rejection
• •✅ Escalate to CAA if airlines don't cooperate
• •✅ Don't accept vouchers – demand cash

Remember: Airlines are counting on you not claiming. In 2024, the CAA forced Wizz Air alone to pay £1.24 million they had wrongfully denied. How much are you owed?

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This article was updated November 2025 with the latest UK airline performance data, CAA enforcement actions, and your rights under UK261. For a personalized assessment of your claim, use our free compensation calculator.