Immediate steps at the gate
Screenshot the departure board and airline app delay reason. Ask airline staff in writing (email or chat) for the official delay code — you need this for UK261 claims later.
Request meal vouchers when delay crosses care thresholds — do not wait until you are hungry. If staff refuse, buy reasonable food and keep receipts for reimbursement.
For overnight delays, ask for hotel and airport transfers before booking yourself — if they refuse, book a standard airport hotel and claim back with receipts.
Care thresholds — when airlines must help
Up to 1,500 km (London–Amsterdam): care after 2 hours delay at departure. 1,500–3,500 km: 3 hours. Over 3,500 km: 4 hours. Separate from 3-hour arrival compensation clock.
Care includes proportionate meals, two phone calls or emails, hotel if necessary, and transport to hotel — even when weather is the cause and cash compensation is exempt.
Full detail: /guides/flight-delay-duty-of-care-reimbursement-uk.
Rebooking, connections, and missed flights
Single booking: airline must rebook you to final destination on same PNR — insist on earliest alternative, including partner airlines if needed. Separate tickets: no protection — insurance may help.
If delay causes missed connection on one booking, airline re-routes; measure UK261 compensation at final arrival delay. /guides/flight-delay-missed-connection-codeshare-uk.
Do not voluntarily surrender your seat for vouchers without understanding UK261 cash rights — read small print before signing at desk.
After you land — compensation claim
If arrival at final destination was 3+ hours late and airline-fault, file UK261 claim with operating carrier — /guides/uk261-flight-delay-compensation-uk and /guides/uk261-flight-delay-compensation-uk#uk261-calculator.
Rejected? /guides/flight-delay-claim-rejected-appeal-uk. Extraordinary circumstances guide: /guides/flight-delay-extraordinary-circumstances-uk.