Wizz Air delay compensation: what you're owed and how to claim
If your Wizz Air flight arrived three or more hours late, or was cancelled at short notice, you could be owed up to £350 per passenger on most routes, paid in money, not just credit. Here's how to claim it yourself, for free.
Last checked against official sources: 9 October 2026.
How much compensation can you get from Wizz Air?
Under UK law (known as UK261), compensation depends on the distance of your flight and how late you arrived at your final destination. The amount is per passenger, so a family of four on a qualifying flight can claim four times over.
| Flight distance | Example Wizz Air route | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500km | London Luton to Gdańsk | £220 |
| 1,500km to 3,500km | London Luton to Bucharest | £350 |
| Over 3,500km | Rare on Wizz Air's UK routes | £260 (3 to 4 hours late) or £520 (4+ hours late) |
Lateness is measured by when you arrive at your destination, not when you take off. A flight that leaves 3½ hours late but makes up time and lands 2 hours 50 minutes late doesn't qualify.
Is your Wizz Air flight covered?
- Flights departing a UK airport are covered, whichever airline you fly with.
- Flights arriving at a UK airport are covered when the airline is licensed in the UK or the EU, which includes Wizz Air.
- Flights departing an EU airport are also covered by the EU's version of the rules (EU261). Compensation for those is set in euros: €250, €400 or €600.
Compensation must be paid in money
Airlines sometimes offer travel credit or vouchers after a delay or cancellation, sometimes worth more than the cash amount. You don't have to accept them. UK261 says compensation is paid in cash, by bank transfer or by cheque, and only in vouchers or other services if you sign to agree to that.
Before accepting any credit, read what you're agreeing to, and check whether it's offered instead of your compensation or as well as it.
When Wizz Air doesn't have to pay
Wizz Air doesn't owe compensation if the delay was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" that it couldn't have avoided. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, these mainly include:
- weather that makes it unsafe to fly
- strikes by people who don't work for the airline, such as air traffic control, airport staff or Border Force
- security risks, terrorism, sabotage, or political unrest
- a hidden manufacturing defect that grounds a whole fleet
Technical problems with the aircraft are not extraordinary circumstances. The Court of Appeal confirmed this in Jet2 v Huzar. If Wizz Air blames a "technical issue", that is not on its own a valid reason to refuse.
If Wizz Air rejects your claim as extraordinary, ask it to explain what happened and what it did to try to avoid the delay. It is up to the airline to show that the circumstances really were extraordinary.
How to claim from Wizz Air, step by step
- Gather your details: booking confirmation code, flight number, date, and roughly what time you actually arrived. Screenshots of delay notifications help.
- Use Wizz Air's own claim form. It's in the claims and compensation section of the help centre on wizzair.com.
- Claim for every passenger on the booking, and add any receipts for meals, transport or hotels you paid for during the delay.
- Keep copies of everything you submit and any reply you get, with dates.
You don't need a claims company. If you claim directly, you keep 100% of the compensation instead of losing a share in fees.
If Wizz Air rejects your claim or doesn't reply
The Civil Aviation Authority lists Wizz Air as a member of AviationADR, an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme. It's free to use, and the airline has to follow its decisions.
- You can usually go to AviationADR once Wizz Air has given you a final response you disagree with, or once 8 weeks have passed since you complained without it being resolved.
- Complaints are made online at aviationadr.org.uk.
Going to court is a last resort if ADR doesn't resolve things. For larger or more complicated claims, consider getting independent advice first.
Meals, hotels and expenses during the delay
Separately from compensation, Wizz Air has to look after you while you wait (known as the "right to care"). This applies from 2 hours for flights under 1,500km and 3 hours for flights of 1,500km to 3,500km. It covers:
- food and drink in proportion to the wait
- two phone calls or emails
- hotel accommodation and transport to it, if you're delayed overnight
If Wizz Air didn't provide these and you paid yourself, keep your receipts and claim the reasonable costs back. You're entitled to care even when the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
Wizz Air compensation questions
Can't find what you need? Email [email protected].
Other airline guides: Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Jet2, TUI, Virgin Atlantic. Flight cancelled? Read our cancelled flight guide.
Do I have to accept Wizz Air credit instead of compensation?
No. Under UK261, compensation is paid in cash, by bank transfer or by cheque. It can only be paid in vouchers or credit if you sign to agree to that.
How far back can I claim for a delayed Wizz Air flight?
For flights covered by UK261, up to 6 years after the flight in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and up to 5 years in Scotland.
Does Wizz Air pay compensation for technical problems?
Yes, if the delay meets the other conditions. Technical problems with the aircraft are not extraordinary circumstances, as the Court of Appeal confirmed in Jet2 v Huzar.
What can I do if Wizz Air ignores my claim?
Wizz Air is a member of AviationADR. If it hasn't resolved your complaint within 8 weeks, you can usually take it to AviationADR for free, and the airline has to follow its decision.
Is Wizz Air compensation paid in pounds or euros?
Flights departing the UK are covered by UK261, with compensation set in pounds (£220, £350 or £520). Flights departing an EU airport are covered by EU261, with compensation set in euros (€250, €400 or €600).
Don't let a "no" be the final word.
The checker above already works today. Paid help with your letter and escalation isn't open yet — join the list and we'll email you the moment you can start.