LHRJFK

LHR to JFK Flight
Delayed or Canceled?

London to New York is one of the most travelled transatlantic routes. UK261 covers every carrier departing Heathrow. A 3-hour delay or cancellation triggers up to £520 per person.

Check my LHR-JFK claim

UK261 up to £520 per person. 25% fee only if we win.

Route overview

From

London(LHR)

To

New York(JFK)

Distance

3,459 mi

Avg flight time

8h 30m

Virgin Atlantic

VS

Your rights on LHR-JFK flights

UK261 applies to all carriers departing from London. Your rights do not depend on airline nationality or ticket type.

UK261 fixed compensation

£520

For delays of 3 or more hours at your final destination, UK261 entitles you to fixed compensation of up to £520 per person. Applies to all carriers departing LHR.

Full refund or re-routing

100%

If you choose not to travel on a canceled or significantly delayed LHR-JFK flight, you are entitled to a full cash refund. Alternatively, the airline must reroute you to your destination.

Duty of care

During delays of 2 or more hours departing LHR, the airline must provide meals and refreshments. For overnight delays, hotel accommodation and transport are required.

Why LHR-JFK flights get delayed

  • 1.LHR operates at near 100% slot capacity - any disruption compounds quickly across all terminals.
  • 2.Early morning fog at Heathrow is the single biggest cause of departure delays in autumn and winter, regularly reducing runway throughput by 30-40%.
  • 3.North Atlantic track system congestion and North Atlantic weather systems add unpredictability on the 8.5-hour crossing.
  • 4.Late inbound rotations from across the LHR network delay transatlantic departures - aircraft must arrive before they can depart.
  • 5.Summer peak season congestion at both LHR and JFK creates the highest disruption risk of the year for this route.

Weather delays do not eliminate your right to a refund or re-routing under UK261.

How far back can you claim?

UK261 (outbound from LHR)

6 years

England and Wales: 6 years. Scotland: 5 years.

US DOT (return from JFK)

1 year

Practical filing window for refund and reimbursement claims on the US-departing segment.

Past flights qualify. If you have the flight number and date, it is worth checking.

How to claim compensation for a LHR-JFK disruption

  1. Check your eligibility

    UK261 covers your LHR-JFK flight. A delay of 3 or more hours, a cancellation, or involuntary denied boarding triggers your rights. The regulation applies to all carriers at this departure airport regardless of airline nationality.

  2. Gather your documents

    You need your booking confirmation or e-ticket number, the flight number and date, receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the disruption, and your boarding pass if available.

  3. Submit your UK261 claim

    File your UK261 claim directly with the airline. State the regulation by name, the exact compensation amount (£220 / £350 / £520), and request a response within 14 days. Vague requests get delayed.

  4. Escalate if denied

    If the airline ignores or denies your claim, escalate to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. This route is free for passengers and most airlines respond once a formal complaint is filed.

What to have ready

  • ✓Booking confirmation or e-ticket
  • ✓Flight number and date
  • ✓Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
  • ✓Boarding pass (if available)

Where to escalate

If the airline denies your claim, escalate to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Filing a formal complaint prompts most airlines to respond.

UK261 Regulator

File with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Include your flight number, date, booking reference, and the airline's response.

Or skip all this.

TravelStacks files directly with the airline, follows up when they go quiet, escalates denials, and files regulatory complaints when needed. You do not touch a form.

Simple, fair pricing

AirHelp charges 35%. We charge 25% for UK261 claims. No win, no fee.

UK261 compensation

25%

of recovery

UK261 entitles you to up to £520 per person on the LHR departure. We take 25% only if we win. Nothing owed if we don't.

Start claim

Refund and re-routing

25%

of recovery

UK261 also covers your right to a full refund or re-routing. Handled under the same 25% fee - no separate charge.

Start claim

Denied boarding

25%

of recovery

UK261 mandates fixed compensation for denied boarding. We take 25% only if we win. Nothing owed if we don't.

Start claim

Frequently asked questions

Ready to file your LHR-JFK claim?

We handle your UK261 claim from start to finish - filing, follow-up, and escalation if needed. You do not touch a form.

Check my LHR-JFK claim

25% for UK261 claims. No win, no fee.