UK Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (UK261)
Complain to Aer Lingus about a cancelled flight
They cancelled. They’re hoping you’ll take a voucher and quietly disappear. Here is the regulation that says otherwise, plus a letter you can send today.
The law on your side
UK Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (UK261)
UK261, Articles 5, 7 & 8
- If notified less than 14 days before departure, you are owed both a refund (or re-routing) and fixed compensation.
- Compensation can be reduced by 50% if re-routing arrives within set time windows of the original arrival.
- Extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, ATC strikes, security risks) can defeat compensation - crew shortages and routine technical faults usually do not.
- Refunds must be paid within 7 days of the request, in the original form of payment.
What you are owed
| Situation | Remedy |
|---|---|
| Short flights up to 1,500 km | £220 |
| Medium 1,500-3,500 km (and intra-EU/UK over 1,500 km) | £350 |
| Long over 3,500 km | £520 |
| Refund of unused ticket | Within 7 days, original payment method |
Source: UK261, Articles 5, 7 & 8. Figures are the published statutory amounts at the time of writing.
Copy-paste letter template
Replace anything in [SQUARE_BRACKETS] with your details. Keep the tone factual - the citations do the heavy lifting.
Dear Aer Lingus Customer Relations, I am writing about flight [FLIGHT_NUMBER] from [DEPARTURE] to [ARRIVAL] on [DATE], booking reference [BOOKING_REF]. The flight was cancelled and the cancellation was notified to me on [NOTIFY_DATE], which is [DAYS] day(s) before departure. Under UK Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5 and Article 7, I am entitled to a full refund of the fare or re-routing, and to fixed compensation unless the airline can demonstrate the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Based on the flight distance of [DISTANCE_KM] km, the applicable compensation amount is £[AMOUNT]. I require: 1. A full refund of £[FARE] for the unused ticket, paid to the original payment method. 2. Fixed compensation of £[AMOUNT] under Article 7. 3. Reimbursement of any additional expenses caused by the cancellation, supported by the receipts attached. Please respond within 14 days. If this is not resolved within 8 weeks, I will refer the complaint to [ADR_SCHEME] (the airline's approved alternative dispute resolution provider) and may then issue a claim through Money Claim Online. Yours faithfully, [FULL_NAME] [ADDRESS] [EMAIL] [PHONE]
If they ignore the first letter
- 1
Write to the airline
Send a written complaint citing UK261 Articles 5 and 7 with your booking reference and the date and time of cancellation notice.
8 weeks from your first complaint
- 2
Wait the 8-week window
If unresolved, you can escalate to the airline’s ADR scheme after 8 weeks or a deadlock letter, whichever comes first.
8 weeks
- 3
Refer to ADR (CEDR or AviationADR)
ADR is free to consumers and binding on the airline. Submit your complaint with all correspondence and receipts.
- 4
Money Claim Online
If you’d rather not use ADR, you can issue a small claim through Money Claim Online for amounts up to £10,000. UK261 claims can be brought up to 6 years after the event in England and Wales.
Final stop: CEDR or AviationADR (the airline’s approved ADR scheme).
Quick answers
Do I get compensation if the airline cancelled because of weather?
No. Under UK261 Article 5(3), compensation is not owed where the airline can show the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances - severe weather, ATC strikes, security risks. The airline still has to refund or re-route you, and provide care under Article 9.
How quickly does a refund have to be paid?
Within 7 days of the request, paid to the original payment method (UK261 Article 8). A voucher is only valid if you accept it in writing.
How long do I have to claim?
Up to 6 years after the cancelled flight in England and Wales (5 years in Scotland), as long as the carrier was operating from the UK or to the UK on a UK or EU airline.
Can the airline force me to take a voucher?
No. Article 8 gives you a choice between a refund in full and re-routing. You can decline a voucher and demand cash to the original card.
How do I complain to Aer Lingus?
Put your complaint in writing to complaints@aerlingus.com with "Formal complaint" in the subject line. Include your account or reference number, what went wrong, and the outcome you want (a refund, repair, or compensation). Keep everything in writing so you have a paper trail. If Aer Lingus hasn't sorted it within 8 weeks, you can escalate free to the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT).
What is Aer Lingus' complaints email address?
Send complaints to complaints@aerlingus.com. Put "Formal complaint" in the subject line, include your account or booking reference, and state the outcome you want. Keeping it in writing creates the paper trail you'll need if you escalate later.
Is there an ombudsman for Aer Lingus?
None: Aer Lingus is in no CAA-approved ADR scheme. Once Aer Lingus has had a chance to fix it, the free route is the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT), after 8 weeks or a deadlock letter. It can review your case and raise it with Aer Lingus, but it cannot make a binding decision. If that fails, the small claims court can.
Can I complain to CAA about Aer Lingus?
Yes, and for Aer Lingus it is the only independent route. Aer Lingus is in no approved ADR scheme, so the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT) will look at your complaint after 8 weeks or a deadlock letter and can raise it with Aer Lingus. It cannot order Aer Lingus to pay; the small claims court can.
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Build my Aer Lingus complaintDisclaimer: NoReply is an independent consumer advocacy platform. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Aer Lingus. This page summarises UK Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (UK261) (UK261, Articles 5, 7 & 8) for general guidance and is not legal advice. Always check the current statutory text before acting.