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FlightLogic is an independent, advertising-supported information service that lets you compare airlines, airports, hotels, and travel products. We do not provide financial advice and we do not recommend specific products or providers. Links marked * are advertising links and may earn us commission at no extra cost to you — always read the terms of any product before booking or applying. Learn more about how we make money.

Depends on notice given and how far the new time is from the original

Am I eligible for compensation if my flight time was changed?

By Emma Walsh Updated 8 July 2026 4 min read
Quick Answer

A schedule change that moves your flight time significantly is treated the same as a cancellation for UK261 purposes. If the airline gave 7–13 days' notice, it must offer re-routing that leaves no more than 2 hours before, and arrives no more than 4 hours after, your original times to avoid paying compensation. With under 7 days' notice, those windows tighten to 1 hour before and 2 hours after. Outside those windows, the same fixed compensation as a cancellation applies (£220–£520). Changes announced more than 14 days ahead do not attract compensation.

Legal basis: UK261, treating a materially rescheduled flight as a cancellation under Article 5.

You likely ARE eligible if…

  • The airline notified you of the schedule change between 0 and 13 days before the original departure
  • The new departure/arrival time falls outside the statutory re-routing windows for the notice given
  • The cause of the change was within the airline's control (not extraordinary circumstances)

You likely are NOT eligible if…

  • You were notified of the change 14 or more days before the original departure
  • The new flight time falls within the statutory re-routing windows (e.g. within 2 hours earlier / 4 hours later for 7–13 days' notice)
  • The change was caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control restrictions

What you're owed

  • The same fixed compensation tiers as a cancellation if outside the re-routing windows: £220 (up to 1,500 km), £350 (1,500–3,500 km), or £520 (over 3,500 km)
  • A full refund within 7 days, or re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity, regardless of whether compensation is due

If you believe you're eligible, use our free UK261 Flight Delay & Cancellation Claim Letter to make your claim.

Read the full guide on this topic →

Frequently Asked Questions

The airline moved my flight by 45 minutes — is that a cancellation?

A small shift like that is very unlikely to fall outside the statutory re-routing windows, so it typically does not attract compensation, though you can still ask for a refund or an alternative flight if the new time no longer works for you.

Does it matter why the airline changed the schedule?

Yes. Compensation is only due if the change was within the airline's control — operational or commercial reasons typically qualify, but changes forced by extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, ATC restrictions, security threats) do not.

This page sets out the general legal position and is not legal advice. Individual claims can turn on facts not covered here — FlightLogic does not guarantee any outcome.

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