British Airways delay and cancellation compensation
1.72%
Cancels
Of its scheduled flights
79.57%
Arrives on time
Within 15 minutes
162,488
Flights measured
January 2025 – August 2026
The cancellation rate is the number that matters on this page: cancellation is what triggers a refund right. Delay, in the United States, does not.
British Airways is a UK carrier — UK261 applies
Britain kept the European rules in domestic law when it left the EU. UK261 has the same thresholds and the same structure as EC 261, with the amounts set in pounds: roughly £220, £350 or £520 by distance, triggered by an arrival delay of three hours or more, a cancellation at short notice, or denied boarding.
It covers flights departing the UK on any airline, and flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline. A British Airways flight from the UK is covered either way.
The one rule that applies everywhere
If British Airways cancels your flight and you decline the alternative, you are owed your money back for the unused portion — whatever the reason, weather included. A voucher is something you may accept, never something you can be required to take.
Where British Airways flies from, and what applies there
| Departing from | Flights | Scheme that applies |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 101,374 | UK261 — cash compensation possible |
| United States | 7,986 | US DOT — refunds only, no cash for delay |
| Italy | 6,476 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| Germany | 5,806 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| France | 5,363 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| Spain | 4,143 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| Switzerland | 2,773 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| Greece | 1,700 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| Netherlands | 1,673 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| India | 1,469 | No compensation scheme |
| Denmark | 1,333 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| Portugal | 1,286 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
| Jersey | 1,266 | No compensation scheme |
| Sweden | 1,159 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
About British Airways's record
Is British Airways reliable?
British Airways arrived on time 79.57% of the time across 162,488 flights, ranking 36 of 86 airlines measured. That is around the middle of the field.
How often does British Airways cancel flights?
1.72% of its scheduled flights were cancelled. Cancellation matters more than delay for a traveller: it is the outcome that costs a day, and the one that triggers a refund entitlement.
When British Airways is late, how late is it?
About 0 minutes on average across its delayed arrivals.
This page explains published rules and is not legal advice. AirlineGrades is independent and not affiliated with British Airways. Confirm current thresholds with the relevant regulator before relying on them. The full guide →