United Airlines compensation: how to claim
United Airlines is registered in United States — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Registered in
- United States (non-EU/UK carrier)
- Main bases
- Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Washington (IAD), San Francisco (SFO)
- Typical first response
- About 40 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
United Airlines is registered in United States — 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 United States or elsewhere: not covered by either, because United Airlines 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 United Airlines handles claims
United is not an EU or UK carrier. A London or Frankfurt departure to the United States IS covered because it leaves the UK or EU. The flight back from Newark or Chicago is NOT covered.
US carriers frequently answer European claims with US Department of Transportation rules, which are a different and much weaker regime for delays. Point them back to the Regulation and the departure airport.
Compensation on the covered direction is £520 or €600, since every transatlantic route is over 3,500 km.
A United flight sold as a codeshare on a European partner may actually have been operated by that partner. Check the operating carrier — it changes who owes you.
What a delay on United Airlines is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) → Newark (EWR) | 5,562 km | UK261 | £520 |
| Newark (EWR) → London (LHR) | 5,562 km | — | Not covered |
| Paris (CDG) → Newark (EWR) | 5,857 km | EU261 | €600 |
| Newark (EWR) → Paris (CDG) | 5,857 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 United Airlines, by what happened
- United Airlines: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- United Airlines: 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).
- United Airlines: 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.
- United Airlines: 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 United Airlines flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to United Airlines 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.
United Airlines: common questions
How much compensation can I get from United Airlines?
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. United Airlines is registered in United States — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
Does United Airlines 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 United Airlines?
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 United Airlines?
United Airlines takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is United Airlines, Customer Care, 900 Grand Plaza Drive NHCCR, Houston, TX 77067, United States. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old United Airlines 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.