Qatar Airways compensation: how to claim
Qatar Airways is registered in Qatar — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Registered in
- Qatar (non-EU/UK carrier)
- Main bases
- Doha (DOH)
- Typical first response
- About 40 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
Qatar Airways is registered in Qatar — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Flying into the UK or EU from Qatar or elsewhere: not covered by either, because Qatar Airways is not a UK or EU carrier.
- That means a return trip is usually half-protected: the outbound from Europe counts, the flight home does not.
How Qatar Airways handles claims
Not an EU or UK carrier, so only departures from a UK or EU airport are covered. The return from Doha is outside UK261 and EU261.
Doha connections onto Asia, Africa and Australasia on one booking mean the covered outbound is measured at the far destination, putting most claims in the top band.
They are generally responsive and specific in correspondence, and more willing than some to settle a well-evidenced claim.
The enforcement body for a covered claim is the one in your European departure country.
What a delay on Qatar Airways is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) → Doha (DOH) | 5,241 km | UK261 | £520 |
| Doha (DOH) → London (LHR) | 5,241 km | — | Not covered |
| Paris (CDG) → Doha (DOH) | 4,969 km | EU261 | €600 |
| Doha (DOH) → Paris (CDG) | 4,969 km | — | Not covered |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Qatar Airways, by what happened
- Qatar Airways: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Qatar Airways: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Qatar Airways: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Qatar Airways: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Qatar Airways flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Qatar Airways yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Qatar Airways: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Qatar Airways?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Qatar Airways is registered in Qatar — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
Does Qatar Airways have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Qatar Airways?
The limit is set by the country where you bring the claim, which is usually where your flight departed or arrived. In England and Wales it is six years; in most EU countries between two and five.
Where do I send a claim to Qatar Airways?
Qatar Airways takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Qatar Airways, Customer Care, PO Box 22550, Doha, Qatar. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Qatar Airways flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.