Claim Compensation for United Delays or Cancellations

United Airlines Flight Delay Compensation

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you may qualify for compensation if your United Airlines flight was delayed or canceled. However, United Airlines has policies that allow compensation under certain conditions.

Here is an ultimate guide to requesting compensation for United Airlines flight delays, cancellations, and overbooking under EU Regulation EC 261/2004.

If your United Airlines flight is delayed or canceled, you may be entitled to compensation under specific conditions. Knowing your rights as a passenger is crucial when dealing with flight disruptions.

Although United Airlines is not an EU-based carrier, it must follow EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from EU airports, ensuring fair treatment and compensation for affected passengers.

EU Regulation 261/2004 ensures that passengers are fairly treated and compensated for substantial flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding.

In this page, we’ll explore the eligibility criteria and types of disruptions covered, and provide practical steps to efficiently claim your compensation from United Airlines.

Compensation for United Airlines Flight Delays or Cancellations

Flight delays and cancellations can be frustrating, but United Airlines compensates eligible passengers under certain conditions. Understanding your rights and the United Airlines flight delay compensation process ensures you can claim what you’re entitled to when travel plans are disrupted. You can check the details down below.

United Airlines Flight Delay Compensation

If your United Airlines flight was delayed for more than three hours, you could be eligible for EU flight delay compensation up to 600€ under European Regulation EC 261/2004.

You could claim under the following conditions …

  1. You arrived at the final destination later than 3 hours
  2. You departed from an EU airport
  3. The delay did not occur due to extraordinary circumstances.

Check these criteria to see if you qualify for United flight delay compensation.

United Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation

If United Airlines cancels your flight without any prior notice, you could be entitled to claim flight cancellation compensation between 125€ to 600€.

Under European Regulation EC 261, if your flight was canceled and you were informed less than 14 days before departure, you are eligible for compensation. For a canceled flight without prior notice of at least 14 days, you can either apply for a refund or request an alternate flight

If your alternate or re-scheduled flight is delayed for more than 2 hours, you could be eligible for United delay compensation under EU law.

The amount of compensation varies between 125€ and 600€ depending upon …

    1. the days you were informed before
    2. the length of delay, and
    3. route distance

However, you could not receive compensation for cancelling a United flight due to extraordinary circumstances.

We at ClaimFlights make it easier to claim canceled flight compensation successfully without facing any difficulties.

How Much Compensation for a United Delayed or Canceled Flight?

The amount to claim for United Airlines’ delayed flight is between 250€ and 600€ depending upon the route distance and length of the delay. If you have traveled …

Short distance
(up to 1500 km)
Medium distance
(1501 to 3500 km)
Long-distance
(more than 3500 km)
e.g., Frankfurt to Madrid e.g., Frankfurt to Athens e.g., Frankfurt to Newark
€250 €400 €600*

* The amount may be reduced by 50%, i.e., you may get up to 300€ for a distance of over 3500 km if EU borders were not crossed.

No claims can be asserted to passengers under extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather, strikes, coronavirus, or any “Act of God.” And it seems to be valid, as these situations are beyond the airlines’ control.

Your Flight Has Been Delayed or Canceled. What Should You Do?

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Ask a reason for the delay

Ask the airline for the reason behind the delay. Get confirmation in writing from the airlines’ customer service.
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Note Arrival Time

Note the flights’ arrival time, i.e., when the aircraft door was opened and passengers were allowed to step out.
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Collect Evidence

Collect evidence such as pictures of arrival board, boarding pass, receipts, etc., to prove the delay.

Check your Eligibility

Enter your flight details into our compensation checker to check if you are eligible for compensation.

Exchange Contacts

Exchange contact information of co-passengers (which can act as evidence while asking for compensation).

Claim Money Back

Assign us your case for a hassle-free claim (we work on a "No Win – No Fee" basis) and Sit Back & Relax.

Flight Departure Delays

If there’s a delay at departure, you are eligible for the “Right to Care.” The airlines must offer:

For 2+ Hours of Flight Delays

Foods/Snacks

Free meals and refreshments.

Communication

2 free phone calls, email or fax service.

For 5+ Hours of Flight Delays

Foods/Snacks

Free meals and refreshments.

Communication

2 free phone calls, email or fax service.

Flight

Re-routed to the earliest available flight

Refund

Refund of the ticket cost, if you were unwilling to travel

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation & transport facility for an overnight delay.

What to Do if Your Flight is Delayed or Canceled

Flight delays and cancellations can disrupt your travel plans, but knowing your rights can help you navigate these situations more smoothly. This guide outlines the protections and options available to you as a United Airlines passenger.

Here’s a detailed overview of your rights and the actions you can take.

Right to Information

  • Notification: United Airlines must provide timely updates regarding any delays, cancellations, or diversions. This information should be communicated via email, SMS, the United Airlines app, or airport announcement systems.
  • Reason for Delay/Cancellation: You have the right to be informed about the reason for the delay or cancellation. Airlines must explain whether it’s due to operational issues, weather conditions, or other factors.

Right to Rebooking

  • Rebooking on the Next Available Flight: United Airlines will rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no additional cost. This includes United Airlines flights and, in some cases, flights operated by partner airlines within the Star Alliance network.
  • Alternative Transportation: United Airlines may offer alternative transportation options if the next flight is unsuitable. This could include a different airline or ground transportation if it’s a viable option to reach your destination.

Right to a Refund

  • Full Refund: If your flight is canceled or delayed significantly (typically more than 2 hours for domestic flights), you are entitled to a full refund for the unused portion of your ticket, regardless of whether it is non-refundable.
  • Partial Refund: If you have already commenced your journey, you can request a refund for the remaining unused portion if a delay or cancellation disrupts your travel plans.

Right to Compensation

For flights departing from the European Union with a non-European carrier, you may be entitled to compensation under EC Regulation 261/2004. This regulation applies if:

  • Your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more upon arrival.
  • Your flight is canceled less than 14 days before departure (with exceptions for extraordinary circumstances).
  • You are denied boarding due to overbooking.

United Airlines has a specific flight delay compensation policy, and you can check the United flight delay compensation website for detailed eligibility information and how to claim your compensation. This policy applies to both United delayed flight compensation and United Airlines’ flight cancellation compensation.

Right to Care and Assistance

  • Meals and Refreshments: For delays over 2 hours, United Airlines should provide meal vouchers or access to meals. The specific amount and type of assistance vary based on the length of the delay.
  • Accommodation: United Airlines should arrange and pay for your hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required due to a delay or cancellation. This includes transportation between the airport and the hotel.
  • Communication: United Airlines should offer access to communication facilities, such as phone calls or internet access, so you can inform family or make alternative arrangements.

The United Airlines weather delay compensation policy details the care passengers can expect during weather-related delays, even if compensation isn’t guaranteed in extraordinary circumstances. For more on UA delay compensation, visit United’s website or contact customer service.

United Airlines Missed Flight Connection

A missed flight connection will likely leave passengers stranded at the airport for several hours. Even small delays in original flights can result in a passenger missing their flight and waiting for hours to get an alternate flight.

You may be entitled to United missed flight connection compensation under the European Union Regulation EC261 if…

    • the same airline operates your connecting flight(s) which you missed due to a delay or cancellation of your first flight, and
    • the delay at the final destination is more than three hours.

In order to claim compensation for a missed flight, the passenger must book the entire journey under one booking reference.

Related Questions

How to claim compensation from United Airlines?
You may contact United Airlines directly, or for a hassle-free claim, we are here to help you on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis. On a successful claim, we charge a 25% success fee + VAT (0% VAT, if you are a non-EU resident).
What happens if you miss your connecting flight with United Airlines?
Don’t worry! You could be entitled to compensation if you missed your connecting flight due to delay or cancellation caused by the airlines.
But, if you missed it due to personal reasons, contact the airline as soon as possible, you might be able to get a refund for your ticket cost.

How to claim compensation for delayed or canceled flights?

We are specialized in helping air passengers to get their compensation quickly from the air carrier. With a track record of assisting over 23K+ passengers and achieving exceptional results, ClaimFlights is a trusted flight claim company.

1

Check Entitlement

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Check if you can claim using our compensation checker tool.

2

Enter Flight Details

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Fill in your flight number, date of journey, and some further information.

3

Assign to us

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For a hassle-free claim, assign us your case by signing the digital contract.

4

We process your case

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Our claim experts will take all your hassles, and claim on behalf of you.

5

Get Compensation

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Don’t be late, claim for your rights today.

Useful Information about United Airlines

United Airlines is one of the most popular airline company in the world with its headquarters located in Chicago, Illinois.

United Airlines is among the top largest airlines along with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. It is one of the founding members of Star Alliance (World’s largest alliance group).

American-Airlines
The IATA code of United Airlines is “UA”.

United Airlines has 8 hubs within the United States that include Chicago, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

United Airlines Flight Destinations
United Airlines have more than 790 fleets under its name. UA operates its flights across over 238 domestic, and 118 international destinations in 48 countries around the world. (Source: Wikipedia)

United Airlines European Destinations

You are eligible for flight compensation if your departure took from any of the below European destinations:

Country City
United Kingdom London, Edinburgh
Italy Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples
Germany Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt
Netherlands Amsterdam
France Paris, Nice
Spain Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga
Ireland Dublin
Switzerland Geneva, Zürich
Portugal Lisbon
Sweden Stockholm
Belgium Brussels
Czech Republic Prague
Greece Athens
Can you cancel a flight with United Airlines and get a refund?
If you want to cancel your United flight, you are bound by the terms and conditions set out by the airline at the time of booking. United Airlines has a 24 hours cancellation policy.

You can cancel your United flight ticket within 24 hours of booking. You may get a full refund of the flight ticket cost without being charged.

If you cancel your ticket after completion of 24 hours of booking, you may have to pay the cancellation fee.

United Airlines Passengers' Reviews
United Airlines have been rated 3 out of 10 stars reviewed by more than 4600 air passengers as of July 2023 over SkyTrax.

SkyTrax rates airlines based on their quality, performance, and services.

In terms of Onboard Services, United air passengers gave 2 stars out of 5 for inflight entertainment, food & beverages, seat comfort, staff service, and value for money.

United Airlines Contact Information
The information below might be useful for you to contact American Airlines directly

Website: United Airlines

Mobile app: Android | iOS

Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter

Phone Number: +1-800-864-83-31

Why choose “ClaimFlights”?

No win = No fee

Yes, you read it right, we do not charge any upfront fees until we win the case and get compensation from the airlines.

Success Fee 25%

Our success fee is just 25% (no VAT, if you are a non-EU resident). We have a fantastic success record and fair prices.

No Legal Action Fee

No legal action fee or admin fee. (It’s free of charge, and no hidden costs, even if we have to take your case to court).

Best Payout

You get the best payout when compared with the other claim companies. Check out the price comparison.

Close to 100% Success

Close to 100% success ratio in court. Our legal claim experts are well trained and experienced in sending claim letters.

Test Winner

We are a test winner in many flight delay provider tests. And, you get the best payout for your delayed flight.
Esenia Ulbrich

Esenia Ulbrich

Founder & Legal Head

Esenia Ulbrich is the founder of ClaimFlights and heads the legal team. She holds a master's in business administration and loves sailing in the Saronic Gulf, hiking in the Alpes, and spending time with her daughter.

Experiences and Reviews of Our Satisfied Customers

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