British Airways refused your compensation claim. Here’s what to do next.

Reply, and be ready to escalate. A first refusal is often a standard letter that names a reason without evidence.

Some reasons are valid in law and many aren’t. Check which one you got. If it doesn’t hold, say so in one reply and ask BA to pay.

If BA refuses again, you don’t need a lawyer. BA is a member of CEDR, the independent scheme that rules on airline complaints in the UK, and its decision binds the airline.

The reasons that come up most, and how each one stands.

1. 1

   “Air traffic control restrictions”: sometimes valid

   A real ATC restriction can count as an extraordinary circumstance. BA has to show it applied to your flight, on that day, and caused the delay. Ask for the specific restriction. A general note about a busy day in European airspace isn’t evidence.

2. 2

   “Bad weather”: sometimes valid

   Only if the weather caused your flight’s disruption. Ask which airport and which hour. If the weather was at a different airport earlier in the day, BA has to show the link to your flight.

3. 3

   “A technical problem”: usually not valid

   Faults found before or during a flight are part of running an airline, and the EU’s top court has said so (Wallentin-Hermann, C-549/07; van der Lans, C-257/14). The exceptions are narrow, such as a bird strike or a hidden manufacturing defect.

4. 4

   “Crew shortage” or “operational reasons”: not valid

   Staffing and scheduling are BA’s to manage. They aren’t extraordinary circumstances, and a strike by BA’s own staff isn’t either (C-28/20). A strike by air traffic controllers or airport staff can be.

5. 5

   “The delay was under three hours”: check the clock

   The delay counts at arrival, when the doors open (Germanwings, C-452/13), not when the wheels touch down. A 2h 50m delay on BA’s record plus a 15-minute wait for a stand is a claim.

6. 6

   “We’ve already refunded you” or “we sent Avios”: not a settlement

   A ticket refund doesn’t replace compensation. Avios or an eVoucher only counts if you agreed to it in writing (Article 7(3)). Otherwise the cash is still owed.

One reply, in the same claim thread, so the reference number carries over.

1. 1

   Quote their reason, then answer it

   One line each. If BA said ATC, ask for the restriction that applied to your flight. If it said a technical fault, say that isn’t an extraordinary circumstance and cite Wallentin-Hermann.

2. 2

   Restate what you’re owed, per person

   Under UK261: £220 up to 1,500 km, £350 up to 3,500 km, £520 beyond that. Under EC261, from an EU airport: €250, €400 or €600. Name everyone on the booking.

3. 3

   Say where it goes next

   Write that if BA doesn’t pay within 14 days, you’ll refer the claim to CEDR. It’s a fact, not a threat, and replies often change once it’s on the page.

4. 4

   Keep the paper trail

   Save BA’s refusal, your reply, your boarding passes and the arrival time you can prove. CEDR decides on documents, so that file is your case.

Yes, as a last step. In England and Wales you have six years from the flight to bring the claim, so a BA refusal from two years ago is usually still live. Most claims that reach a strong reply or CEDR never get that far.