Finding out your flight has been cancelled at the eleventh hour can derail a trip in a matter of seconds, especially if you’ve already checked in at the airport. What you can claim back depends on certain circumstances, including the reason behind the cancellation, how much notice you were given, and whether it was within the airline’s control.

Under UK rules, airlines still have to give you a clear choice when they cancel. You can opt for a refund or can take an alternative flight to get to your destination. But what protection is available to you, and what are your legal rights? Here’s everything you need to know.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says that refund-or-reroute choice applies whatever the reason for the cancellation. That matters because even when compensation isn’t payable, your basic options don’t disappear. If you choose to travel, the airline must organise replacement transport. The CAA says rerouting should be offered at the “earliest opportunity” or on a later date that suits you, depending on seat availability.

Many passengers assume compensation is automatic, but that isn’t how the rules work. In most cases, compensation depends on the cancellation being the airline’s responsibility and you being told less than 14 days before departure.

The legal framework behind this is retained UK law based on EU Regulation 261/2004 (often called “UK261”). It sets out when compensation is due and the factors that can remove that entitlement.

Compensation is often not payable if the cancellation was caused by “extraordinary circumstances”. The CAA lists examples such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions and security risks outside the airline’s control.

Even where compensation is off the table, airlines still owe you “care and assistance” if you’re left waiting. That can include meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation when an overnight stay is needed, and transfers between the airport and the hotel.

If the airline doesn’t provide that help and you have to buy essentials yourself, keep all receipts and proof of what happened. Consumer group Which? advises that passengers may be able to reclaim reasonable costs when they were entitled to assistance but didn’t receive it.

It can also be worth checking your travel insurance if the cancellation triggers knock-on costs, such as missed accommodation or events. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) notes that many policies include some cover for disruption, but protection varies widely by provider and policy wording.

If you think the airline has handled your case wrongly, start by complaining directly to the carrier and asking for a written final response. If it still isn’t resolved, you may be able to take it to an approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider if the airline is signed up to one.

Meanwhile, if ADR isn’t available, you can still escalate via other routes, including credit or debit card protections where relevant and, in some cases, court action. The key is having a paper trail that shows the cancellation, the timeline and what you spent as a direct result.

A cancelled flight doesn’t mean you’re on your own at the airport. Knowing the refund-or-reroute choice, when compensation applies and what “care and assistance” looks like can make it much easier to recover money you’re owed and get moving again.