Wizz Air delay compensation: how to claim and what's owed

Wizz Air connects UK airports like Luton and Gatwick with dozens of cities across central and eastern Europe. When those flights run late or are cancelled, passengers have the same rights as on any other airline. Here's how a Wizz Air claim works.

Can I claim compensation from Wizz Air?

Yes, if:

• your flight departed from a UK or EU airport (that covers almost every Wizz Air flight passengers in the UK take); and
• you arrived at your final destination three hours or more late, or the flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you were denied boarding; and
• the cause was within the airline's control.

Flights coming into the UK or EU from elsewhere are covered too, depending on which Wizz Air company operated them. More on that below.

How much does Wizz Air have to pay?

It depends on distance only. The ticket price, and any extras you bought, make no difference.

Flights between two EU airports over 1,500 km get €400 however long they are.

Some typical Wizz Air routes, measured airport to airport:

• Stansted to Krakow, about 1,380 km: £220.
• Luton to Bucharest, about 2,105 km: £350.
• Luton to Sofia, about 2,050 km: £350.

Several Wizz Air routes from London to central Europe sit close to the 1,500 km line. Luton to Budapest, for example, is just under it. We measure the exact distance for every claim, because a few kilometres can change the amount.

Every passenger on the booking with a seat gets the full sum.

Which Wizz Air company do I claim from?

Wizz Air operates through several airlines:

• Wizz Air Hungary Ltd, the main airline, based in Hungary;
• Wizz Air UK Ltd, a UK airline;
• Wizz Air Malta Ltd, based in Malta.

The company that operated your flight is the one that owes you. For flights departing the UK or EU it doesn't change whether you're covered, but it can change which country's courts handle a dispute. For flights arriving from outside Europe, it can decide whether you're covered at all. We identify the operator from the flight before the claim goes out.

How do I claim from Wizz Air?

You can claim from Wizz Air yourself through its online form, for free. Wizz Air, like several low-cost airlines, would rather passengers claimed directly.

You are entitled to use someone to claim for you. When you claim through Skyfare, we take it on from day one. Wizz Air does not publish a claims email, so formal claims go in writing through its own channel or by post, which we handle.

What we need from you:

• the booking reference and names of everyone on the booking;
• a boarding pass or booking confirmation;
• photo ID, so the airline can match you to the booking;
• a signed authority to act for you (we prepare it).

How long does Wizz Air take to reply?

We allow Wizz Air 30 days to respond. If there's no answer, we chase. If it refuses and we think it's wrong, we reply with the law and the evidence and set a deadline.

For honest ranges at each stage, see how long flight compensation takes.

What if Wizz Air refuses?

For UK claims, Wizz Air is a member of AviationADR, a dispute scheme approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. Its decisions bind the airline. If Wizz Air's own process ends in a refusal we disagree with, we can refer the claim to the scheme at no cost to you.

For flights departing an EU country, complaints go to that country's enforcement body.

If neither route works, the courts remain: the county court for claims against Wizz Air UK, and the Hungarian courts for claims against Wizz Air Hungary, among others. We tell you before anything goes to court.

What does Wizz Air usually say when it refuses?

"Extraordinary circumstances." The only legal defence. Severe weather that stopped your flight, air traffic control restrictions, and security alerts can count. Technical faults, crew problems and "operational reasons" generally don't. Our guide to extraordinary circumstances goes through the list.

"A previous flight was delayed." Wizz Air aircraft fly long days with quick turnarounds, so one problem early on can reach your flight hours later. A knock-on delay is only extraordinary if the original cause was.

"Air traffic control strike." A strike by air traffic controllers is generally outside the airline's control. A strike by Wizz Air's own staff is not. See airline strike compensation.

"We offered you a new flight." For cancellations, a replacement flight can reduce or cancel the compensation, but only if it kept close to your original times. See refund vs compensation for the windows.

What should Wizz Air provide at the airport?

During a long delay the airline must offer food and drink, and a hotel with transport if you're delayed overnight. This applies whatever caused the delay. If it doesn't, buy what's reasonable, keep the receipts and claim them back. See what the airline owes you during a delay.

If your flight is cancelled, you also choose between a full refund and a new flight. A refund should be in money; you don't have to accept credit or vouchers.

How long do I have to claim?

For flights from the UK: six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, five in Scotland. For flights from EU countries, the limit is set by the country, and some are much shorter. See old flight delays.

You can see how we handle Wizz Air claims on our Wizz Air airline page.

Frequently asked questions

Does Wizz Air pay compensation for delays?

It has to when you arrive three hours or more late and the cause was within its control. On UK routes that's usually £220 or £350 per passenger.

Can I take Wizz Air credit instead of a refund?

You can, but you don't have to. For a cancelled flight you're entitled to your money back. And credit for a cancelled flight is not the same as delay compensation, which is a separate payment.

Is Wizz Air in a dispute scheme?

Yes, for UK claims Wizz Air is a member of AviationADR, whose decisions are binding on the airline.

My Wizz Air flight was from Budapest to London. Am I covered?

Yes. The flight departed the EU, so EC261 applies and the amount is in euros.

Does buying Wizz Priority or extras change the amount?

No. Compensation depends only on distance. Extras you paid for may be refundable separately if you didn't get them.