How far back can you claim?
Six years in England and Wales, five in Scotland. UK261 sets no deadline of its own, so the general limits for bringing a claim apply. If your flight is inside that, check it on the pass.
The limits
| Where you’d bring the claim | Time limit |
|---|---|
| England and Wales | Six years (Limitation Act 1980, section 5: contract claims) |
| Scotland | Five years (Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, section 6) |
Claim as soon as you can: recent flights are quicker for the airline to check.
Questions
How far back can I claim flight delay compensation in the UK?
UK261 sets no deadline of its own, so the usual limits for bringing a claim apply: six years in England and Wales, where the Limitation Act 1980 sets six years for contract claims, and five years in Scotland under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973.
Is it worth claiming for an old flight?
Yes, if it’s inside the limit and the delay was three hours or more at your final destination. Have the booking reference and flight number ready; the airline will check its own records of the delay.
Where these facts come from
- Limitation Act 1980, section 5, read 8 November 2026
- Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, section 6, read 8 November 2026
- UK261, Article 7 (the amounts), read 8 November 2026