Emirates delay compensation: what you can claim
If a Emirates flight got you there three hours or more late, you can claim £220 to £520 per passenger — but only on flights leaving a UK or EU airport.
Which flights are covered
Emirates is licensed in United Arab Emirates, which is neither the UK nor the EU. Flights leaving a UK or EU airport are covered. Flights arriving at one from outside are not, whatever the delay.
This is the part passengers most often get wrong, and it is worth being clear about: the rule follows the airline’s licence, not where the aircraft happens to be registered or where you bought the ticket.
How much
| Distance flown | UK261 | EU261 |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500km | £220 | €250 |
| 1,500km to 3,500km | £350 | €400 |
| Over 3,500km | £520 | €600 |
Per passenger, and the same whatever the fare. The three hours is measured at arrival, not departure.
Claiming with Emirates
Claim directly through emirates.com, under Help then Flight disruption. Have the booking reference, flight number and date to hand. Keep what the airline tells you about the cause, in writing — it is the first thing any later challenge turns on.
Emirates is not a UK or EU airline, so only the outbound half is covered. London to Dubai qualifies; Dubai to London does not, however long the delay.
Where Emirates flies from
Main bases: Dubai, London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham.
Common questions
How much compensation can I claim from Emirates?
£220 for flights under 1,500km, £350 for 1,500 to 3,500km, and £520 over 3,500km, per passenger, if you arrived three or more hours late. The amount depends on the distance flown, not on what you paid.
Which Emirates flights are covered?
Emirates is licensed in United Arab Emirates, which is neither the UK nor the EU. Flights leaving a UK or EU airport are covered. Flights arriving at one from outside are not, whatever the delay.
How do I claim from Emirates?
Claim directly through emirates.com, under Help then Flight disruption. You will need the booking reference, the flight number and the date. If the airline refuses and you disagree, the next step is its alternative dispute resolution body, or a claims service that will take the case on.
Can Emirates refuse to pay?
Only where the cause was genuinely outside its control: severe weather, air traffic control strikes, security alerts or a bird strike. A technical fault, late crew or a knock-on delay from the aircraft’s previous flight are not valid reasons, though they are often given.
Check your flight
AirHelp will tell you whether your specific Emirates flight qualifies and handle the claim. TravelTrauma earns a commission on a successful claim, at no cost to you.
Check your claimOther airlines
- Ryanair delay compensation
- easyJet delay compensation
- British Airways delay compensation
- Wizz Air delay compensation
- Jet2 delay compensation
- TUI Airways delay compensation
- Virgin Atlantic delay compensation
- Qatar Airways delay compensation
- Lufthansa delay compensation
- Air France delay compensation
- KLM delay compensation
This explains the rules and is not legal advice. The circumstances of your flight, and the airline’s own conditions of carriage, may change what applies.