Under UK261 (the UK’s retained version of EU Regulation 261/2004), easyJet delay compensation is fixed by flight distance: €250 (~£220) for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 (~£350) for flights of 1,500–3,500 km, and up to €600 (~£520) for flights over 3,500 km delayed by four or more hours. Your flight must have arrived at least three hours late at the final destination. Most easyJet UK departures are short-haul European routes in the €250 band, but destinations such as the Canary Islands, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel fall into the €400 medium-haul band. easyJet does not have to pay for genuine extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather, but CAA guidance confirms routine technical faults and crew shortages do not qualify.

Yes. If easyJet cancelled your flight with fewer than 14 days’ notice and the cancellation was not caused by extraordinary circumstances, you can claim compensation under UK261 at the same €250–€600 amounts that apply to delays. Separately, you are entitled to choose between a full refund within 7 days or re-routing to your final destination — the choice belongs to the passenger, not the airline. If easyJet provided an alternative flight, compensation may be reduced by 50% depending on arrival timing. easyJet must also provide meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation where appropriate. If easyJet refuses your cancellation claim, AviationADR can adjudicate free of charge.

ADR stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution — an independent way to resolve disputes without going to court. AviationADR is the CAA-approved ADR scheme that handles unresolved easyJet flight complaints for UK departures and arrivals. The process is: (1) complain to easyJet in writing; (2) wait for their final response or for eight weeks to pass; (3) submit your complaint to AviationADR online, by phone on 0203 540 8063, or by post; (4) AviationADR contacts easyJet, reviews the evidence from both sides, and issues a decision. The service is free for passengers, and accepted decisions are legally binding on easyJet.

easyJet has up to 28 days to respond to AviationADR once a complaint is filed. AviationADR then resolves most easyJet complaints within an average of 30 days from receipt of the full file, and all cases within a maximum of 90 days — the statutory limit for CAA-approved ADR schemes. If you complained to easyJet directly first, you should allow up to eight weeks before escalating to AviationADR. Straightforward UK261 delay and cancellation claims are decided more quickly than complex baggage or denied-boarding disputes.

No. You don’t need a solicitor or a claims management company to claim easyJet compensation under UK261. You can complain to easyJet directly for free, and if they refuse or don’t resolve the matter within eight weeks you can escalate to AviationADR at no cost. Claims companies and no-win-no-fee solicitors typically charge 25–35% of your compensation plus VAT — on a £350 claim that’s over £100 taken from your payout. AviationADR is CAA-approved, impartial, and its decisions are binding on easyJet, so a paid representative rarely adds value for a straightforward UK261 claim.