Flight claims

Generally, this depends on one main factor - the distance of the flight. Secondly, it will be affected by the location of the flight. The four dominant categories and corresponding compensation amounts are:

• For any flight with a total distance of less than 1,500km, you'd look to receive around £220
• For flights with a distance between 1,500 and 3,500km, you'd look to receive around £350
• If your flight is over 1,500km within the European Union (EU), you'd look to receive around £350
• If you flight is over 3,500km outside of the European Union (EU), you'd look to receive around £520

It's also worth noting that the length of the delay may also affect the amount of compensation you'd be due if your claim was successful.

You'll notice that the time given on the listing on our platform say 'unspecified'. This is because there isn't a set time period that claims have to be settled. It can be a matter of weeks, but can take months and even years in rare occurrences.

One reason it may take longer, is if the claim has to go to court (if, for example, the airline contests the claim and it escalates to legal proceedings). This can drag a claim out and if you win, the claims management company will likely take an extra fee from the compensation amount, to cover the legal costs.

This is a common question - and a good one. However, it's not an easy one to answer! If a passenger has had two delays in the last three years, went to a claims company, won twice and got paid within weeks each time, then they may say absolutely! But if a passenger doesn't win, or a claim takes 12 months, goes to court and a larger chunk of compensation is taken by the company, they may feel differently.

Millions of passengers have used these companies and it's a thriving industry, so there has to be some benefit. Some may simply not have the time or will to fight for their claim themselves and would rather someone else take on the burden for a fee.

We vet all businesses listed on our site, so we can confirm that they are all legitimate companies, with a proven track record and we try to give their Trustpilot score and a link to their Trustpilot page so you can see what previous clients' experiences are.

In order to file a claim, you'd generally need the following information to hand:

• Departed from (airport) and end destination airport
• If it was a direct flight or had stopovers
• Date of departure
• Airline
• The issue (usually either a delayed flight, a cancelled flight, or denied boarding the flight)
• How long you were delayed (if applicable)
• Details of why the flight was delayed, cancelled or you were denied boarding (if given by the airline)
• Flight number

You may be required to give other information as well. The best advice is to gather as much information as you have and it could all be useful when making a claim.

Generally, the answer to this is yes. Even if the airline rejects your claim, you can still raise one through a claims management company.

In this scenario, it's useful to keep any response(s) you received from the airline and provide it to the claims management company. They will review these documents and can advise better on the next possible steps.