United Airlines Flight Delay Compensation — EU261 Applies for EU Departures
United Airlines (IATA: UA) is one of the world's largest carriers, flying extensively across the Atlantic from London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. As a US-registered carrier, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies only for flights departing from EU or UK airports. London Heathrow to Newark on United? Covered. Newark to London on United? NOT covered. You may be owed up to €600 per person.
⚠️ EU departures only — US departures are NOT covered
United Airlines EU261 compensation amounts
| EU/UK Departure | Route | Amount | Claim window |
|---|---|---|---|
| London LHR | New York EWR (UA) (5,570 km) | €600 | 6 years (UK CAA) |
| London LHR | Chicago ORD (UA) (6,340 km) | €600 | 6 years (UK CAA) |
| Frankfurt FRA | New York EWR (UA) (6,200 km) | €600 | 3 years (LBA) |
| Frankfurt FRA | San Francisco SFO (UA) (9,100 km) | €600 | 3 years (LBA) |
| Amsterdam AMS | Washington IAD (UA) (6,760 km) | €600 | 2 years (ILT NL) |
How to claim United Airlines EU261 compensation
- 1
File your claim with United directly
Submit via United's feedback form. Specify EU Regulation 261/2004, your flight number (UA XXXX), your EU/UK departure airport, and the actual arrival delay at your final destination. Keep all communications in writing.
United customer service → - 2
Escalate to your departure country's authority
UK CAA for London Heathrow/Gatwick departures. LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) for Frankfurt departures. ILT for Amsterdam departures. These bodies can compel United to pay — European enforcement agencies have jurisdiction over EU/UK-departure flights regardless of the carrier's nationality.
Find your enforcement body → - 3
Use a no-win no-fee claim service
AirHelp specialises in EU261 claims against US carriers including United. Fee: ~25% only if successful. UK passengers flying from Heathrow have 6 years — worth checking United flights back to 2020.
Check via AirHelp →
United Airlines common denial tactics
- →"EU261 doesn't apply to US carriers" — false for EU/UK departures; any airline operating from EU/UK soil is bound by EU261
- →"Delay was caused by US ATC / FAA" — FAA delays at the destination don't excuse a departure delay from Frankfurt or London
- →"Technical issue was extraordinary circumstances" — aircraft technical faults are the airline's responsibility; the CJEU has confirmed this repeatedly
- →"Your US departure is not covered" — correct; only the EU/UK-departure leg is covered
- →Lufthansa Star Alliance codeshare: United and Lufthansa share many routes — check your boarding pass for the operating carrier (UA = United, LH = Lufthansa)
Find past United Airlines delays in your inbox
SubRadar scans your Gmail or Outlook for United Airlines booking emails and flags EU/UK-departure transatlantic flights that may qualify for up to €600 compensation.
Scan my inbox free →Related EU261 guides: