How much compensation for a 2 hour delay?

How much compensation for a 2 hour delay is one of the most common questions passengers ask while waiting at the gate. The answer is not always straightforward, because a two-hour delay does not usually trigger a cash payout — but it does activate important passenger rights and can quickly turn into a full compensation claim if the delay increases.

Understanding what you are entitled to at the two-hour mark puts you in a far stronger position if the disruption continues.

What a 2 hour delay actually entitles you to

Under UK and EU flight delay regulations, there is a clear distinction between care and compensation. At two hours, you are normally dealing with care rights rather than a fixed compensation payment.

For short-haul flights in particular, airlines must start providing assistance once a delay reaches two hours. This assistance usually includes food and drink, access to communication, and — if the delay extends overnight — hotel accommodation and transport.

If the airline fails to offer this support, you are generally entitled to make reasonable purchases yourself and claim the cost back later. Keeping receipts is essential.

Does a 2 hour delay qualify for compensation?

In most cases, no. A two-hour delay on its own does not normally qualify for the UK/EU fixed compensation payment.

This is why the question how much compensation for a 2 hour delay often leads to confusion. Compensation usually becomes payable only when your flight arrives at its destination three hours or more late, and the delay was caused by the airline.

That said, many delays that start at two hours continue to grow — which is why what happens next is so important.

When flight delay compensation actually starts

Flight delay compensation is based on arrival time, not departure time. A flight that leaves late but arrives under the three-hour threshold may not qualify, while one that lands just minutes over it often does.

Once the three-hour arrival delay threshold is crossed, compensation depends on flight distance:

• Short-haul flights can qualify for £220

• Medium-haul flights can qualify for £350

• Long-haul flights may qualify for £260 or up to £520

These amounts are paid per passenger, not per booking.

So while how much compensation for a 2 hour delay is technically “£0 in most cases”, a delay that grows beyond two hours can quickly become financially significant.

You can check whether your delay qualifies by using our flight delay claim checker — it takes less than a minute.

What if the delay reaches five hours?

If your delay reaches five hours or more, your rights increase again. At this point, you can choose not to travel and request a full refund for the flight, including unused onward or return flights within the same booking.

If you decide to travel anyway and still arrive three hours or more late, you may also be entitled to compensation — provided the delay was the airline’s fault.

When compensation may be refused

Even after three hours, compensation is not automatic. Airlines can refuse payment if the delay was caused by events outside their control, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, or security risks.

However, airlines sometimes wrongly classify technical or staffing problems as “extraordinary circumstances”. This is where many valid claims are incorrectly rejected.

Why the first two hours matter more than people realise

The two-hour mark is often when passengers stop paying attention — but it is actually the moment when evidence is easiest to collect. Screenshots, announcements, receipts, and arrival times all become crucial if the delay continues.

Many successful claims begin with a delay that passengers initially assumed “wouldn’t count”.

How Flight Delay Claim can help

If your flight delay started at two hours and went on to exceed three, you may be entitled to compensation — even if the airline has already said no.

We help passengers check eligibility, challenge rejected claims, and pursue compensation of up to £520 per passenger under UK and EU law.

If you have any questions before starting your claim, please contact us and our team will be happy to help.

If you want to see whether your flight delay qualifies for compensation, you can check your details using our flight delay claim checker.