UK airports are in chaos, with major hubs recording a huge number of flight delays affecting millions of passengers annually.
The disruption extends beyond airports too – London’s transport system has seen nearly a third of the TfL network hit by severe delays across the Northern, District, Metropolitan, and DLR lines in recent weeks.
To add on to that, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) launched on October 12, is causing 90-minute queues at major European airports as biometric kiosks fail and border officers resort to manual fingerprint scanning.
Jacob Wedderburn-Day, travel expert and CEO & Co-founder of luggage storage platform Stasher, explains what these delay means for passengers’ rights:
“Frustrated travellers sit in terminals for hours, spending their own money on food and accommodation, thinking they have no choice. The truth is, passengers do have options. Passenger rights protect travellers far more than most people realize, but airlines won’t advertise this. If you know your rights and ask for what you’re entitled to, you can claim back hundreds of pounds in compensation. Don’t just accept the delay. Know what you’re owed and claim it.”
What travellers don’t realize they’re missing during delays:
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Compensation payments for eligible flight delays
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Free meals, refreshments, and accommodation from airlines
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Reimbursement for reasonable expenses during controllable delays
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Train delay refunds through Delay Repay schemes
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The right to reroute or get a full refund on cancelled services
If you’re traveling and experience delays, Jacob Wedderburn-Day shares how to be smart about it:
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Know your compensation rights
“For EU/UK flights delayed 3+ hours due to airline fault, you’re entitled to up to £520 in compensation under UK261 regulations. For trains, use Delay Repay schemes. Last year, £138 million was paid out in train delay compensation, yet almost half (47%) of Brits have never claimed what they’re owed.
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Ask for what airlines won’t offer
“For flight delays over 2 hours, airlines must provide free meals and refreshments. For overnight delays, they must provide hotel accommodation and transport. Ask staff directly and get it in writing.”
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Keep every receipt
“If you purchase food, emergency accommodation, or transport during a controllable delay, keep all receipts. You can claim reasonable expenses back later.”
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Leave the airport strategically
“For delays over 4 hours, leaving the airport can save money and stress. Find a safe place for your luggage, then explore the city or find a quieter spot to wait rather than spending hours in a crowded terminal.”
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Document the delay
“Take photos of delay announcements, departure boards, gate changes, and timestamps. Keep emails, text alerts, and boarding passes. This evidence is essential for compensation claims, as many fail due to lack of proof.”