Dublin to London Stansted flight compensation

Example

A passenger arriving 3+ hours late at London on a covered flight could claim €250 per passenger.

If the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure without a close alternative, the same €250 applies.

Departing from Dublin Airport

Dublin has US preclearance, so passengers for the United States pass American immigration before boarding and a late arrival at the terminal can end the journey before the aircraft is even late. Ireland allows six years to sue, the longest period in the EU, so an old Dublin departure is often still claimable.

Dublin is a base for both Aer Lingus and Ryanair; when the connection is on one booking the delay is measured at the final destination, and on separate tickets each flight stands alone.

Direction matters

Dublin → London

EU Regulation 261/2004 · €250 · any airline

London → Dublin

UK261 (UK passenger rights) · £220 · any airline

The two directions are governed by different rules: the departure country decides which regime applies, and a flight from outside Europe is only covered when the operating airline is licensed in the EU/EEA, the UK or Switzerland.

Delay, cancellation or missed connection on this direction

Delayed

€250 per passenger is due when at least one door opens at London Stansted Airport three hours or more after the scheduled arrival; the departure delay at Dublin Airport does not count. From 2 hours of delay the airline owes meals and communication whatever the cause, and from 5 hours you may abandon the trip for a refund.

Cancelled

The same €250 per passenger is due when the airline told you less than 14 days before departure and did not re-route you within the legal windows (at most 2 hours early and under 4 hours late with 7–14 days’ notice; 1 hour and 2 hours under 7 days). A refund or re-routing, and care while you wait, are due in every case.

Missed connection

If London Stansted Airport is not your final destination and both flights were on one booking, the delay is measured where the journey ends and the amount on the distance from Dublin Airport to that final airport (Folkerts, C-11/11) — even when the onward flight is outside Europe. On separate tickets each flight stands alone, and a missed onward flight is not the first airline’s liability.

Escalation for this direction

Enforcement body: Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) (Ireland)

Court claims: 6 years (Statute of Limitations 1957, s. 11 (six years, simple contract)). Court claims are brought before the Small Claims Court (District Court).