London Stansted Airport (STN) – Your right to compensation
Have you experienced a flight to or from London Stansted Airport that was delayed, cancelled or overbooked? In many cases, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. This applies, for example, if your delayed flight arrives more than three hours after the original arrival time, if you were notified of your flight’s cancellation less than 14 days before departure, or if you were denied boarding due to overbooking.
This page provides a comprehensive overview of your rights as an air passenger on flights to and from London Stansted Airport. You can find out when you are entitled to compensation, how much compensation you may be owed, what to do if your flight is cancelled or delayed, and what practical information is useful when travelling via Stansted Airport.
About London Stansted Airport
London Stansted Airport (IATA: STN) is situated approximately 40 km north-east of London in the county of Essex and is the fourth busiest airport in the UK. The airport is a hub for low-cost carriers and serves a large number of European and domestic destinations. Ryanair is the most popular airline at Stansted and has its main hub here.
Stansted is characterised by a single main terminal, designed to handle high passenger volumes. The modular design of the terminal makes it easier to navigate than many larger European airports, although there can be long queues at security during peak periods.
Flight delays and cancellations from London Stansted Airport in 2025:
Total number of departures | Number of flight cancellations | % of flight cancellations | Number of delays over 3 hours | % of delays over 3 hours | Total % of cancellations and delays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
91,002 | 90 | 0.1 | 336 | 0.37 | 0.47 |
The average rate of cancellations and delays for the 50 largest airports in Europe in 2025 was 1.0%; compared with this, punctuality at London Stansted Airport is above average.
Which airlines have the most cancellations and delays from London Stansted?
London Stansted Airport is Ryanair’s main UK base, and the majority of flights from the airport are operated by low-cost carriers. All flights departing from Stansted are, as a rule, covered by EU Regulation 261/2004. This applies, for example, to flights with Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways.
Below, you can see statistics on cancellations and delays of over three hours for the airlines that operated the most flights from London Stansted in 2025:
Airline | 🛫 Number of flights | 🚫 Number of flight cancellations | 🕑 Number of flight delays of over 3 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
Ryanair DAC | 63150 | 50 | 162 |
Ryanair UK | 7663 | 0 | 16 |
jet2.com | 7495 | 0 | 35 |
easyJet | 3498 | 21 | 16 |
Pegasus | 2667 | 8 | 13 |
SunExpress | 873 | 0 | 3 |
TUI | 863 | 0 | 3 |
Emirates | 771 | 0 | 1 |
AJet | 607 | 0 | 1 |
China Southern Airlines | 449 | 0 | 3 |
Qatar Airways | 389 | 0 | 4 |
Titan Airways | 301 | 0 | 26 |
Fly Play | 235 | 0 | 1 |
HiSky | 229 | 0 | 0 |
Royal Jordanian Airlines | 193 | 0 | 0 |
Transavia Airlines | 164 | 0 | 0 |
Air Algérie | 158 | 0 | 0 |
China Cargo Airlines | 157 | 0 | 0 |
British Airways | 154 | 5 | 5 |
When can you claim compensation for flights to and from London Stansted?
It is important to emphasise that it is not the airport that pays compensation. It is the airline – that is, the company operating your flight – which, in certain circumstances, is obliged to pay. You can typically claim compensation in three situations:
1. Delayed flight
If your flight is delayed and you arrive at your destination at least three hours later than the scheduled arrival time, you may be entitled to compensation. The decisive factor is the arrival time – in other words, not when the flight left Stansted Airport, but when you arrive at your destination. For delays of more than two hours, you are already entitled to refreshments at the airport, even if the length of the delay does not yet entitle you to financial compensation. If the delay is more than five hours, you can choose to cancel your journey and receive a full refund of the ticket price.
2. Cancelled flights
If your flight from London Stansted has been cancelled and you were notified of the cancellation less than 14 days before the scheduled departure, you can in many cases claim compensation. Flight cancellations notified more than 14 days before departure do not entitle you to compensation. In the event of a cancellation, the airline must offer you the choice between a full refund of the entire ticket price (including taxes and charges) or rebooking onto an alternative flight to your destination. If you have a through booking with a connecting flight and the first part of the journey is cancelled, the rules cover the entire journey.
3. Denied boarding
If you arrive on time for check-in, have a valid flight ticket and a valid boarding pass, but are nevertheless denied boarding at the gate, you may be entitled to compensation for denied boarding. This typically happens because the airline has sold more tickets than there are seats on the flight. In this situation, as a passenger, you are entitled to compensation, alternative transport and, where applicable, hotel accommodation and transport if you cannot continue your journey until the following day.
IMPORTANT: Ask the airline for a written explanation if you are denied boarding. This could be crucial to your case.
How much compensation can you get?
The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance and the length of the delay on arrival – and is entirely independent of the price of your flight ticket. As a passenger, you can receive between 250 and 600 euros per person (approx. £215 - £520 DKK) under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Flights between different European countries and Stansted Airport may fall into different distance categories.
Overview of potential compensation:
Reason | Delayed arrival | Flights under 1.500 km | Flights 1.501 - 3.500 km | Flights over 3.500 km between EU-countries | Flights over 3.500 km to/from EU-countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cancelled* | 2 – 3 hours | £220 | £170 | £170 | £260 |
Cancelled /Delayed | 3 – 4 hours | £220 | £345 | £345 | £260 |
Cancelled/Delayed | More than 4 hours** | £220 | £345 | £345 | £520 |
Overbooked | £220 | £345 | £345 | £520 |
* If the cancellation occurs less than 7 days before the scheduled departure. ** If the cancellation occurs between 14-7 days before the scheduled departure.
There are, however, a few exceptions:
cancellations notified more than 14 days in advance do not entitle passengers to compensation.
In certain cases, compensation may be reduced by 50% if the passenger is offered a rebooking with a delay that is close to the original arrival time.
When is the airline not required to pay compensation?
The airline is not obliged to pay compensation if the delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances – that is, circumstances beyond the airline’s control which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Typical examples include:
Bad weather
Political unrest
ATC restrictions (air traffic control issues)
Strikes beyond the airline’s control
Security risks
It is important to note that an internal strike by the airline’s own staff is not an exceptional circumstance. Furthermore, technical problems with the aircraft are, in many cases, within the airline’s control – this does not therefore automatically exempt the airline from its normal operating regulations. The airline is responsible for maintenance and operations within its organisation.
As a passenger, it can be difficult to assess whether the cause of the delay or cancellation is an extraordinary circumstance. We always recommend that you have your case checked before giving up.
Your rights to assistance in the event of delays and cancellations at Stansted
Even if you are not entitled to financial compensation, as an air passenger you are still entitled to assistance from the airline in the event of delays of more than two hours and cancellations. This includes:
Food and drink
The opportunity to send emails or ring family, friends or work
Hotel accommodation, if further delays result in an overnight stay
Transport between the airport and the hotel
Rebooking onto the next available flight or an alternative route
Full refund of the ticket in the event of a delay of more than five hours (if you choose not to travel)
Airlines must inform passengers of their rights in writing when a delay exceeds two hours. If this does not happen, you should contact the airline yourself and ask for this information.
What should you do if your flight to or from London Stansted is delayed or cancelled?
Keeping thorough records makes it much easier to submit your claim afterwards. Follow these steps:
1. Keep all documentation
Booking confirmation and flight ticket
Boarding pass (physical or digital)
Emails and text messages from the airline regarding the delay or cancellation
Photos of information boards at the airport
Details of the new departure, rebooking or alternative flight
Proof of checked-in luggage and any luggage issues
2. Keep receipts for expenses
If you pay out of your own pocket for food, drink, transport or hotel accommodation as a result of the delay, you must keep all receipts. In many cases, you can claim a refund for these additional expenses from the airline. Remember to ask the airline for assistance before paying yourself – this may strengthen your case.
3. Ask for a written explanation
If you are denied boarding at the gate, you should immediately ask the airline for a written explanation. This could be crucial in any compensation claim.
4. Note down the times
Make a note of when the delay was announced, when you checked in, when the flight actually took off, and when you arrived at your final destination. It is the comparison between the original arrival time and the actual arrival time that determines whether you are entitled to compensation.
How we help you claim compensation
With us, the process is simple and risk-free:
Check your case in 2 minutes: Submit your flight details and get a quick assessment of whether you’re eligible for compensation and, if so, how much.
We’ll handle the communication with the airline within the applicable time limits and take legal action on your behalf if necessary – completely free of charge if we lose.
The compensation will be transferred to you as soon as the airline has paid the amount.
You can claim compensation up to three years after the incident. If the airline ignores your complaint, you can rest assured that we’ll handle the case for you.
Submit your compensation claim now
Practical information about London Stansted Airport: Check-in, terminal and transport
London Stansted Airport has a single terminal, making it easy to find your way around. However, it is advisable to arrive well in advance, as there can be long queues at security during peak times. Inside the terminal, you’ll find duty-free shops, restaurants and cafés, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.
Check-in and boarding
Online check-in is recommended to save time on arrival at the airport. Stansted recommends that you arrive at least 2 hours before departure for domestic flights and 2–3 hours for international flights. Make sure you are aware of the check-in deadlines for your specific airline, as these may vary – and remember that late check-in may affect your ability to claim compensation afterwards.
Transport from Stansted to central London
There are good transport options from Stansted to London:
Stansted Express (train): The train from Stansted to Liverpool Street Station takes around 40–50 minutes and is the fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes during the day.
Buses: National Express and Terravision operate buses to central London and other terminals (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton) – they run around the clock, but journey times depend on traffic.
Taxis and ride-sharing: A taxi journey to central London typically takes 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Parking and hotels
There are several types of parking available in and around Stansted, and Stansted Airport recommends that you book your parking in advance to ensure you get the best price. If you need overnight accommodation due to a delay or cancellation, there are hotels near Stansted Airport. The airline is obliged to cover hotel costs for delays resulting in an overnight stay – keep receipts for all expenses.
Luggage
Remember to check your airline’s baggage rules before you travel. Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet have strict rules on cabin baggage and checked-in baggage and may charge fees if your baggage exceeds the permitted dimensions or weight. If your luggage is delayed, damaged or lost, you must immediately go to the airline’s desk at the airport and report the problem. Read more about your rights in the event of delayed, damaged or lost luggage here.