Free first-claim letter

Use the airline's own claim form if it has one. If not, or if you prefer a written record, fill in this letter and send it yourself.

Run the checker to get your amount and deadline.
Replace every [bracketed] part. Delete options that do not apply.
Send it by the airline's email or claim address and keep a copy.

First-claim letter

[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Your email]

[Airline name]
[Airline customer relations address or claim reference]

[Date]

Subject: Compensation claim, flight [flight number] on [scheduled date], booking [booking reference]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I was a passenger on flight [flight number] from [departure airport] to [final destination] on [date], booking reference [booking reference].

{Keep one of the three paragraphs below and delete the others.}

[Delay:] The flight was delayed. I was scheduled to arrive at [scheduled arrival time] and arrived at [actual arrival time, when the doors opened], [number] hours and [number] minutes late.

[Cancellation:] The flight was cancelled. I was told on [date you were told], [number] days before the scheduled departure. {The airline offered a replacement flight that left at [time] and arrived at [time], [number] hours and [number] minutes after my original scheduled arrival. | I was not offered a replacement flight. | I took a refund instead of travelling.}

[Denied boarding:] I was denied boarding against my will. I had a confirmed booking, valid travel documents, and checked in and presented myself at the gate on time. I did not volunteer to give up my seat. {I was rerouted and arrived at [time], [number] hours and [number] minutes late. | I was not rerouted.}

Under [Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 / UK Regulation 261/2004 (UK261) / the Air Passenger Protection Regulations SOR/2019-150], I am entitled to compensation of [amount] per passenger for [number] passengers, a total of [total].

[If the airline gave a reason:] I was told the disruption was caused by [reason]. Please provide details if you consider it an extraordinary circumstance (or, for Canada, outside your control or required for safety), including the evidence you rely on.

Please pay [total] by bank transfer to:
Account name: [name]
[IBAN / sort code and account number]

[Optional: I also claim [amount] for meals and accommodation during the delay. Receipts attached.]

{Keep the line for the rules you are claiming under.}
[UK261:] Please send me your final response within 8 weeks. If you do not, or if you refuse, I will refer my complaint to your approved dispute resolution scheme or the Civil Aviation Authority.
[EU261:] Please reply within 30 days. If you do not, or if you refuse, I will refer my complaint to the national enforcement body and, if necessary, to court.
[APPR:] Under section 19(4) of the APPR, please pay the compensation or explain why it is not owed within 30 days of this request.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]

Attached: booking confirmation, boarding pass, [receipts], [photos of departure board or delay messages]

Evidence checklist

Booking confirmation showing the booking reference and every passenger's name.
Boarding passes, or the e-ticket number if you have no boarding pass.
The airline's emails, texts or app messages about the delay, cancellation or rebooking, with their dates. They prove when you were told.
Your actual arrival time: a photo of the arrivals board, a timestamped photo at the gate, or the airline's own message.
Any reason the airline gave, written down with the time and the staff member or channel.
Receipts for meals, hotel, transport and calls, itemised.
If you were bumped: anything showing you checked in on time and were at the gate.
Your bank details for payment.

You send it yourself and keep 100% of any compensation. Refused? The My Flight Money claim dashboard tracks your deadlines and has a rebuttal letter for each common rejection reason and the escalation steps.

Last updated: 2026-10-16