Martin Lewis says airline passengers who cancel flights may be owed £202 each

Martin Lewis says if a flight was delayed by three hours or the airline cancelled it, you could be due £500. However, you may also be owed money if you are the one who cancelled the flight

Holidaymakers left grounded by flight delays or cancellations might be in for some good news, as passengers of Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2, TUI, and Easyjet could snag compensation payouts – even if they were the ones to cancel or push back their travel plans, consumer pros and money maestros have disclosed.

Money Saving Expert’s very own Martin Lewis has shared that punters could pocket around £500 if they’ve been hit with a delay of over three hours or if their flight was axed by the airline. “Many are unaware of their legal right to up to £520 per person compensation if the airline is at fault, ON TOP of any refund, alternative flight or food reimbursement,” he dished out to those affected.

The remedy is only applicable to UK or EU ‘regulated’ flights from the last six years – sadly just five for Scots.

These rules apply to any UK or EU ‘regulated’ flight within the last six years (five in Scotland). For DELAY compensation: the flight must have arrived over three hours late. For CANCELLATION compensation: what counts is when it was cancelled and how late or early the alternative flight was.

You’re only due compensation if it was the airline’s fault. And if you have ever cancelled or missed a flight taking off from the UK, you may be due £202 back in airport tax. MSE said: “Airlines don’t have to give the money back, though most have it in their T&Cs that they will upon request.

Compensation cash is only on the cards when the blame falls squarely on the airline’s shoulders. However, for anyone who’s ever bailed on a UK outbound flight, there’s a chance to claw back £202 in airport charges, reports Birmingham Live.

According to the MSE team: “Airlines don’t have to give the money back, though most have it in their T&Cs that they will upon request.” It is well worth asking your airline for this cash if you’re in this position.

The amount up for grabs can soar up to £202 per traveller as further destinations and swankier seats equate to heftier sums. To break it down: skip a budget seat to Spain and you’re looking at nabbing back £13 each, but if you ditch a business class voyage to Australia, you could be raking in a cool £202 per passenger.

“A few airlines charge admin fees when you ask for a refund, which can wipe out the smaller amount, yet it’s still worth a quick check.”

For travel disruptions, flyers should be aware of compensation rates: delays of three or more hours for journeys up to 1,500km could see you pocketing £220. Longer delays between 1,500km to 3,500km mean £350 in your bank account.

If you’re held up for three to four hours and you’re travelling 3,500km or more, you should expect £260. And if the delay hits the four-hour mark or more over that distance? You’re looking at a nice £520 boost.