Changed flight time

Has your airline changed your flight time?
Know your rights if your airline announces a ‘schedule change’

Your hotel is reserved, your suitcase is ready, and you’re all prepared for your vacation, but then the airline informs you of a flight time adjustment, known as a ‘schedule change’. Here’s a rundown of your rights and the steps you can take.

This guide focuses on scheduled adjustments to flight times rather than unexpected disruptions like adverse weather, crew shortages, labor strikes, or technical issues. For information on your rights in such scenarios, refer to our guides on Flight Cancellations, Flight Delays, and Being Stuck at the Airport.

What right does the airline have to change my flight?

Even if you agree to the scheduled timings when booking your flight, airlines often reserve the right to alter the time or even the date of your flights according to their terms and conditions.

For instance, British Airways notes: “Flight times listed in our schedules may vary between the publication date and your actual travel date. We do not guarantee these flight times, and they are not part of your contract with us.”

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) indicates that schedule changes affecting the time or date (excluding flight number changes) are only governed by airline terms and conditions, not by law.

Airlines typically release tickets up to a year in advance, but airports usually confirm flight slots only about three months before departure, which can lead to changes. Additionally, airlines might adjust timings if they switch aircraft types.

If you’re reassigned to a completely different flight number, you would likely be protected by stricter EU flight cancellation laws (which the Government has promised will remain unchanged after the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019). These laws entitle you to a full refund or a new flight, and possibly compensation. Such changes can occur if an airline cancels a flight due to insufficient seat sales.

What are my rights if my flight time is changed?

The type of changes they make can be categorized into three distinct groups, depending on their nature:

• Minor change – Every airline has its own criteria for what constitutes a delay, ranging from less than one hour to up to twelve hours (refer to the table below for specific times). Typically, the terms and conditions will require you to accept the delay, but it’s advisable to request a refund or alternative flight if the delay causes significant disruption, such as if you were traveling for a brief period or needed to reach your destination by a specific time.
• Significant – If the delay exceeds the airline’s threshold for a minor delay, you have additional options available. According to the airlines we reviewed (as shown in the table below), you will typically be given the choice of either a refund or an alternative flight (such as from Heathrow instead of Gatwick or at a later date). If you opt for a refund, you are generally eligible to receive compensation for any unused portions of your booking. However, if you have booked your outbound and return flights separately, you usually won’t qualify for a refund on both segments, though it’s worth inquiring about.
• Cancellation – If your flight is canceled, you are protected by law and have the right to receive either a refund or an alternate flight. If the cancellation occurs within 14 days of your departure, you may also be eligible for compensation. For further details, refer to the section on Flight Cancellation Rights. It’s not always immediately obvious if your flight has been canceled, but a useful sign is a change in the flight number. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact the airline to confirm whether the flight has been canceled.

What’s a ‘significant’ change?

Airline by airline – what’s a ‘significant’ change?

Had a scheduled change? Here’s what to do

Check if you can play the system to save £100s. Before quickly agreeing to an alternative flight offered by the airline, it’s important to first compare the cost of booking a new flight on your own. Sometimes, getting a refund and rebooking yourself can be more cost-effective. For expert advice on finding cheap flights, refer to our guide.

How will I be told of a schedule change? The CAA requires airlines to notify passengers of any changes at least 14 days prior.

Typically, airlines will send an email regarding changes, but it’s a good idea to also check the ‘manage my booking’ section on the airline’s website for updates. Some airlines might call or text you if you don’t respond to their email.

If you booked through a travel agent, the airline might not have your contact information, so the agent should reach out to you instead.

To ensure you receive any notifications about changes, it’s crucial to provide accurate contact details when making your booking. Although airlines are responsible for informing you of changes, it’s important that you remain reachable.

If you believe you weren’t reached out to and consequently missed your flight, you can get in touch with the CAA’s passenger advice and complaints team by calling 0330 022 1916 or email passengercomplaints@caa.co.uk (as long as it’s for a flight departing the UK).

I’ve been informed about a change in schedule – what steps should I take to accept or reject it? The airline should provide you with a contact number or email address to request a refund or reschedule your flight.

If you agree to the new departure time, you usually don’t need to take any action. However, the airline might require you to confirm the change via email, phone, or their website before finalizing your seat, so it’s a good idea to verify this.

Is it possible to receive extra compensation for a change in flight schedule? The airlines we’ve contacted typically offer either an alternative flight or a refund when a schedule change occurs.

You generally don’t have a right to additional compensation for things like non-refundable hotel or car hire bookings (though it’s always worth requesting a refund). Unfortunately, there’s no legal backing for this.

Even if you have travel insurance, it’s unlikely that you’ll receive compensation solely due to a schedule change, except in rare circumstances.

We consulted with Aviva, Coverwise, Infinity Insurance, and Swiftcover, all of whom indicated they wouldn’t cover this situation. However, some premium policies, such as LV Premier, might offer compensation if the new schedule is delayed by more than 24 hours.

Keep in mind that this guide specifically addresses schedule changes. If the delay is caused by factors like severe weather or strikes, more comprehensive travel insurance policies might offer coverage. For the best deals on travel insurance, check out Cheap Travel Insurance.