Flight cancelled by snow or storms? What you're still owed

Snow, fog and storms do ground flights, and airlines know it. But "weather" is not a magic word. It switches off cash compensation in most cases. It does not switch off your right to a refund, a rebooking, meals and a hotel.

What weather does and does not cancel

Under UK261 and EU261, an airline does not have to pay the fixed £220-£520 compensation if the disruption was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" it could not have avoided even with reasonable measures. Severe weather that makes it unsafe to fly is the textbook example.

What stays owed regardless:

• A refund or a replacement flight. If your flight is cancelled you can choose a full refund (within 7 days) or rerouting at the earliest opportunity.
• Care while you wait. Meals and refreshments in proportion to the wait, two free communications, and a hotel plus transfers if you are stuck overnight.
• Information. The airline must tell you your rights. If it did not, say so.

Our flight compensation tool shows which regime covers your route.

When "weather" is not the whole story

Airlines lean on the weather label hard. Check these before you accept it:

• Was the weather at your airport, or somewhere else? Bad weather on the other side of Europe delaying a different aircraft does not automatically excuse your flight.
• Did other airlines fly? If rivals took off from the same airport at the same time, the airline's account looks weaker.
• Was it really de-icing or snow clearance? The airline has to show it took reasonable measures, such as having equipment and staff in place.
• Was it a knock-on delay? A delayed aircraft can carry the original cause forward, but the airline still has to show a genuine link.
• Was weather one of several causes? A crew shortage or technical fault hiding behind a snowfall is not extraordinary.

The burden of proving extraordinary circumstances is on the airline, not you. Ask in writing for the specific cause and the evidence. Our guide to escalating an airline refund covers what to do when they stonewall.

What to do on the day

1. Get the reason in writing from the airline app, email or desk staff.
2. Keep every receipt for meals, hotels and transport. If the airline did not provide care, you can claim reasonable costs back.
3. Take photos of departure boards, the weather and queues.
4. Check other options. If the airline will not rebook you in reasonable time, you may be able to book another carrier and claim the cost, though this is a judgement call, so keep everything.
5. Do not accept a voucher if you want cash. A refund is your choice, not theirs.

Booked a package holiday? Your rights run through the organiser, and ATOL protection matters if the firm collapses.

Claiming afterwards

Claim the costs you were owed even if cash compensation is off the table. If the airline refuses, you can go to its approved ADR scheme (when it has one) or to the small claims track. Our response deadline tool works out when you can escalate. For the wider picture on routes, see our round-up of ways to get an airline refund.

Stuck in a terminal with a "weather" email? Start a complaint once you are home and we will chase the refund and the care costs they skipped.