AIRLINE · DELAY COMPENSATION
American AirlinesDelay compensation — are you owed money?
Non-UK/EU airline · rights on departure only
This doesn’t mean no rights. UK261 still covers American Airlines flights departing the UK. Flights into the UK on a non-UK/EU carrier are not covered.
American Airlines · performance
CAA DATA · APRIL 2026- 3+ hours late
- 0.5%The compensation threshold — these flights may be owed.
- Cancelled
- 3.5%of scheduled flights
- Average delay
- 9minacross all flights
- Routes flown
- 12in April 2026 CAA data · 5 with delay stats here
Delay statistics derived from UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) punctuality data. UK CAA flight punctuality statistics · April 2026. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the CAA.
How to claim from American Airlines
Gather your details
Flight number, date, and scheduled vs actual arrival times. You don't need these to check with Owedly — only to claim from American Airlines.
Submit to American Airlines
Send a written claim citing UK261, stating the delay length and that you’re seeking the fixed compensation for your distance band.
Escalate if needed
No adequate response within 8 weeks? Take it to the airline’s ADR scheme or the Civil Aviation Authority.
How much UK261 pays
| Band | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| A | Under 1,500 kme.g. London–Paris, Manchester–Dublin | £220 |
| B | 1,500–3,500 kme.g. London–Athens, Edinburgh–Lisbon | £350 |
| C | Over 3,500 kme.g. London–New York · £260 if 3–4h late, £520 if 4h+ | £260–£520 |
The amount depends only on distance — not your ticket price or the airline. American Airlines’s average delay is 9 minutes, but averages hide the flights that cross the 3-hour line.
Check your American Airlines flight
Check · American Airlines
6 FIELDSIt depends
It depends — you may be owed ~£350 if it was the airline’s fault
- Your flight is covered by UK261 and the delay is long enough to qualify — but whether you’re actually owed money depends on the cause.
- If the delay was the airline’s fault (for example a technical or crew problem), you could be owed around £350. If it was caused by extraordinary circumstances like extreme weather or an air-traffic-control strike, no compensation would be due.
- Ask the airline for the specific reason in writing, then check your claim.
You usually have up to 6 years to claim in England, Wales & Northern Ireland (5 years in Scotland). This is for information — it does not affect the estimate above.
Partner hand-off (AirHelp). Claim services typically charge a success fee — you can also claim directly with the airline for free.
ESTIMATE ONLY · NOT LEGAL ADVICE · OFFICIAL CAA GUIDANCE
Think you’re owed for a American Airlines flight?
Run the six-question check and, if you’re eligible, hand off to a claims partner.
Partner hand-off (AirHelp). Claim services typically charge a success fee — you can also claim directly with the airline for free.
American Airlines routes with delay stats
All routes →SHOWING 5 OF THE 12 ROUTES AMERICAN AIRLINES FLEW IN APRIL 2026 CAA DATA
- LHR → BOSLondon Heathrow → Boston3h+ 0%CNCL 1.3%up to £260–£520
- LHR → ORDLondon Heathrow → Chicago O'Hare3h+ 0.4%CNCL 1.2%up to £260–£520
- LHR → LAXLondon Heathrow → Los Angeles3h+ 0.4%CNCL 3.5%up to £260–£520
- LHR → MIALondon Heathrow → Miami3h+ 0.5%CNCL 2.2%up to £260–£520
- LHR → JFKLondon Heathrow → New York JFK3h+ 0.5%CNCL 2.6%up to £260–£520
American Airlines — your questions
How often is American Airlines delayed?
In April 2026, 0.5% of American Airlines flights arrived 3 hours or more late (the UK261 threshold) and 3.5% were cancelled, with an average delay of 9 minutes across the 12 route(s) American Airlines flew in UK CAA data.
Can I claim compensation from American Airlines?
American Airlines is not a UK or EU/EEA airline, so UK261 mainly applies to its flights departing from a UK airport. For those, a 3+ hour airline-caused delay can be claimed; other American Airlines flights may fall under different rules.
How do I claim delay compensation from American Airlines?
Contact American Airlines in writing with your flight details and ask for UK261 compensation, or use a claims service to handle it for a success fee. Keep boarding passes and any delay notices. You usually have up to 6 years to claim (5 in Scotland).
Other airlines
Delay statistics derived from UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) punctuality data. UK CAA flight punctuality statistics · April 2026. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the CAA.