Flight delayed or cancelled? Your next steps

Start with the airline's current instructions, keep the details together and understand your options before changing your booking.

At the airport · 4 min read

The quick answer

Check the operating airline's updates and ask about care and travel options. Keep receipts and messages. Refund, rerouting and compensation rights depend on the flight and circumstances.

Confirm what has changed

Use the operating airline's app, website or airport desk to confirm the status of your specific flight. Note the flight number, date and the change communicated. A delay to another flight on the route does not tell you what is happening to yours.

If you booked with Travelcart, send our team your booking reference and the airline's message. Tell us whether you are already at the airport and whether you still want to travel. These details help us discuss your booking efficiently.

Ask about care while you wait

Where UK passenger-rights rules apply, an airline's duty to provide care can include food, communication and necessary overnight accommodation, depending on the disruption. This is separate from any claim for fixed compensation.

Ask the airline what assistance it is arranging. If necessary care is not provided, keep itemised receipts for reasonable expenses and records of your attempts to obtain help. Check the CAA's guidance before making costly arrangements; luxury spending is not treated like essential care.

Understand the choice before accepting it

For a covered cancellation, the airline must offer the applicable refund or alternative-travel options. Ask what an offered change means for the unused parts of your journey, your return flight and any connection.

If you still need to travel, make that clear before accepting a refund. Keep any offered itinerary in writing and check its airports, dates and passengers. Separate-ticket connections and independently booked hotels can create additional questions; raise them rather than assuming one offer resolves everything.

Keep care, refunds and compensation separate

Fixed compensation is not automatic for every delay or cancellation. Eligibility can depend on the operating airline, route, notice, arrival delay and cause. Some circumstances can exclude compensation while leaving care obligations in place.

Save the original itinerary, disruption messages, replacement details and receipts. Use the airline's formal claim route if needed. The CAA's pages explain the next steps and applicable rules; this guide cannot determine the outcome of an individual claim.

Your checklist

  • Specific flight status confirmed
  • Airline assistance requested
  • Travel or refund preference considered
  • Messages and itemised receipts saved

Questions and answers

Does every cancellation qualify for compensation?

No. Compensation depends on the applicable rules and circumstances, including notice and cause. Care and refund or rerouting rights are separate questions.

Should I keep receipts for meals or accommodation?

Yes. If you incur necessary expenses during disruption, retain itemised receipts and evidence of the assistance you requested from the airline.

Should I contact the airline or Travelcart?

Use the airline for immediate operational instructions and airport assistance. If Travelcart booked your flight, contact us about the booking and any changes being considered.

Keep planning your journey

Sources and latest guidance

Last checked: 2026-09-13