MAD to LHR Flight
Delayed or Canceled?
Madrid to London is one of the most competitive Spain-UK routes. EU261 covers the MAD departure. UK261 covers your LHR return. Both protect you.
Check my MAD-LHR claimEU261 covers your MAD departure. UK261 covers your LHR departure. 25% fee only if we win.
Route overview
Your rights on MAD-LHR flights
EU261 applies to the MAD departure. UK261 applies to the LHR departure. Both protect you regardless of airline nationality.
UK261 applies on the LHR return departure
UK261 applies to all carriers departing from London. Your LHR-MAD return delayed by 3 or more hours entitles you to up to £520 per person in fixed compensation.
EU261 fixed compensation (outbound)
€600
Fixed compensation for delays of 3+ hours departing MAD. Applies to all carriers on this EU/UK departure regardless of airline nationality.
UK261 fixed compensation (return)
£520
Fixed compensation for delays of 3+ hours departing LHR on your return. Applies to all carriers equally.
Duty of care (both legs)
During delays of 2 or more hours on either the MAD or LHR departure, the airline must provide meals and refreshments. Overnight delays require hotel accommodation and transport.
Why MAD-LHR flights get delayed
- 1.Madrid Barajas is Spain's busiest airport and Iberia's hub - peak period congestion creates systematic departure delays.
- 2.Spanish ATC restrictions and staffing action have caused widespread cancellations at MAD in recent years.
- 3.LHR slot constraints mean MAD-LHR flights must hold when Heathrow is running below capacity.
- 4.Iberia and Vueling's shared IAG operations at MAD create complex scheduling that compounds disruptions.
- 5.Summer heat in Madrid can affect ground operations and create departure delays during peak afternoon heat.
Weather delays do not eliminate your right to a refund or re-routing under EU261.
How far back can you claim?
EU261 (outbound from MAD)
2-6 years
Varies by EU country: France 5yr, Germany 3yr, Netherlands 2yr.
UK261 (return from LHR)
6 years
England and Wales: 6 years. Scotland: 5 years.
Past flights qualify. If you have the flight number and date, it is worth checking.
How to claim compensation for a MAD-LHR disruption
Check your eligibility
EU261 covers your MAD-LHR outbound. UK261 covers your LHR-MAD return. A 3-hour delay, cancellation, or denied boarding on either leg triggers fixed compensation. Check both.
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.
File claims for each applicable leg
File your EU261 claim for the MAD departure directly with the airline, citing the regulation by name and the exact compensation scale (€250 / €400 / €600). File a separate UK261 claim for the LHR return departure.
Escalate if denied
For EU261 claims, escalate to the national aviation authority in the departure EU country. For UK261 claims, escalate to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Both escalation routes are free for passengers.
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
For EU261 claims, escalate to the national aviation authority in the departure EU country. For UK261 return claims, escalate to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Both are free.
EU261 Regulator
File with the national aviation authority in the departure EU country. 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 EU261 and UK261 claims. No win, no fee.
EU261 compensation (outbound)
25%
of recovery
EU261 entitles you to up to €600 per person on the MAD departure. We take 25% only if we win.
Start claimUK261 compensation (return)
25%
of recovery
UK261 entitles you to up to £520 per person on the LHR return departure. We take 25% only if we win.
Start claimDenied boarding
25%
of recovery
EU261 and UK261 both mandate fixed compensation for denied boarding on top of the refund right. We take 25% only if we win.
Start claimFrequently asked questions
Ready to file your MAD-LHR claim?
We handle your EU261 outbound claim and your UK261 return claim. One submission, two recoveries. You do not touch a form.
Check my MAD-LHR claim25% for EU261 and UK261 claims. No win, no fee.