British Airways: what to check and what to do next.

Before you send a request

Record what happened in your own words. Keep the itinerary, payment receipts and the airline’s explanation. Separate a refund of a charge from reimbursement of an expense and from statutory compensation: qualifying for one does not settle the others.

Check the airline that actually operated the affected flight. A logo on your ticket does not by itself establish the operating company or governing law. Act promptly on baggage problems; initial reporting and a later written claim can have different time limits.

Delay

For delays over two hours, ask BA for refreshment vouchers. If unavailable, reasonable food and drink expenses can be reviewed.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Ask for vouchers first; keep itemized receipts.

• BA excludes alcohol. Compensation and unused-travel refunds have separate conditions.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Cancellation

BA lists rebooking or a refund as cancellation options, and overnight accommodation when the next available flight leaves the following day.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Check your booking options; contact your seller if booked through an agent.

• Check availability and your booking circumstances.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-14

Refund dispute

If BA cancels, choose rebooking or a refund. For a delay over five hours, ask about a refund if you abandon travel.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Contact your seller before accepting an alternative.

• Used journeys, connections and mandatory law can change the refund due.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Delayed baggage

BA lists reasonable essential purchases as possible delayed-bag claims and asks travelers to keep receipts.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Report the bag problem and keep the report reference and receipts.

• Reporting and claim deadlines need separate checking.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-14

Meals and accommodation

Request necessary meals, a hotel and airport transfers after qualifying disruption; keep receipts if BA cannot arrange assistance.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Use BA’s expense claim process with receipts.

• Reasonable costs only; alcohol and consequential losses such as missed hotels are excluded.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Denied boarding

BA lists rebooking or a refund, assistance and possible compensation for boarding denied because of oversales.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Ask for the written reason and your rebooking, refund and compensation options.

• Late check-in or passport/visa issues are different from oversales.
• Volunteering to give up a seat is different from involuntary denial.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Missed connection

BA says it rebooks missed connections on the same booking onto the next available BA or partner flight.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Check your updated booking and ask BA for connection assistance.

• BA distinguishes connections on the same booking from separately booked onward flights.
• Minimum connection time and the operating airline matter; legal rights need separate assessment.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Lost baggage

BA accepts claims for checked bags reported missing for more than 21 days, subject to its claim requirements.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Keep your baggage report, bag tags and proof of contents; use BA’s baggage claim instructions.

• Report the missing bag promptly; BA lists reporting within 21 days of it going missing.
• Reporting is not the same as a completed compensation claim; loss must be supported.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Damaged baggage

BA considers damage claims and may offer a repair or replacement, depending on the circumstances.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Report the damage immediately, keep photos and discuss repair before disposing of the bag.

• BA lists damage reporting within seven days of receiving the bag.
• Security-inspection damage may require a claim to the inspection authority.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Downgrade

BA describes a partial refund when you are moved below the cabin you booked.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Keep the original ticket and boarding pass; request a downgrade refund for the affected flight.

• A cabin downgrade differs from a different seat in the same cabin.
• Route, fare components and governing law matter; BA’s published distance bands require review.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Missing paid extras

BA lists refund requests for paid seating it cannot suitably replace and paid Wi-Fi that did not work.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Identify the paid extra, keep its receipt and explain what was not provided.

• A seat change is not automatically a cabin downgrade.
• Refund eligibility depends on the specific paid service and whether an alternative was provided.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Voucher dispute

BA explains eVoucher redemption, remaining balances and expiry information in the issuing email.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Next step: Check the voucher type, original currency and expiry email; ask BA to explain a disputed balance.

• eVouchers, Companion Vouchers and promotional codes have different terms.
• A voucher is not cash; mandatory refund rights need a separate assessment.

Official British Airways source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Keep your request clear

Ask for the specific remedy supported by your records, attach copies rather than irreplaceable originals, and keep your submission confirmation. If an airline declines, save its reason before choosing an escalation route. Do not send full credit-redemption codes or account passwords to CoinTravel.

General policy information, not legal advice or an eligibility decision. Published terms may have changed and may differ from those on your travel date. Applicable law may provide additional rights. No payment is guaranteed.