If Qatar Airways cancels your flight, don’t panic — you’ve got solid UK rights on your side, and in many cases, you could claim up to £520 in compensation. Whether you want a refund, rerouting, or support while you're stuck at the airport, this guide breaks down exactly what you're entitled to and how to claim it.
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Quick Wins: What to Do If Your Qatar Airways Flight Is Cancelled
- Check if you were given less than 14 days’ notice — this is when compensation is possible.
- Choose refund or rerouting — the choice is always yours.
- Ask for meals, hotel, and transport. These aren't favours, they're your rights.
- Keep every receipt and piece of communication.
- Submit your claim directly to Qatar first — then escalate if needed.
When You’re Entitled to Compensation
Under UK Regulation 261, you’re protected when flying from the UK or flying into the UK on a UK/EU carrier. Qatar Airways, although not a UK or EU airline, must comply with these rules for flights departing the UK. If they cancel your flight with less than 14 days’ notice and it’s not due to extraordinary circumstances, you may be owed compensation.
The 14-Day Rule: Your Route to £520
When Qatar Airways cancels at short notice, the 14-day rule kicks in and that’s your route to real compensation. Your payout depends on how far you were meant to fly. Longer routes mean bigger cheques.
| Flight Distance | Compensation | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|
| < 1,500km | £220 | Short EU flights |
| 1,500–3,500km | £350 | Medium-haul |
| > 3,500km | £520 | London ↔ Doha and beyond |
What Counts as “Extraordinary Circumstances”
Airlines don’t owe compensation when cancellations are caused by events they genuinely couldn’t control. These include:
- severe weather
- security risks
- air traffic control restrictions
- political instability
What doesn’t count? Technical issues, crew shortages, overbooking, or “operational reasons.” If Qatar Airways tries to use these as excuses, it’s worth challenging.
Your Rights After a Qatar Airways Cancellation
Compensation is just one part of your rights. Regardless of the reason for the cancellation, Qatar Airways must support you while you’re disrupted.
Your Choice: Refund or Alternative Flight
You can choose one of the following — Qatar Airways cannot decide for you:
- Full refund (processed within 7 days)
- Rerouting on the next available flight
- Rerouting at a later date that suits you
If the fastest route home happens to be on another airline, Qatar still has to book it. Your journey, your rights.
Care and Assistance You’re Owed
While waiting for your alternative flight, Qatar must provide:
- meals and drinks
- hotel accommodation (if you’re stuck overnight)
- transport to and from the hotel
- two free phone calls, emails, or messages
If you end up paying out-of-pocket, keep every receipt — you can claim reasonable expenses back.
The 7-Day Refund Rule
If you choose a refund, Qatar Airways must return the full amount — including taxes and fees — within seven days.
How to Claim Compensation
Step 1: Submit Your Claim to Qatar Airways
Start with Qatar’s online claim form. It’s usually the quickest way to get things moving. Include:
- your booking reference
- flight details
- cancellation notice or screenshots
- copies of receipts for reasonable expenses
Step 2: Keep All Your Evidence
Hold onto:
- boarding passes
- your original booking confirmation
- emails or texts about the cancellation
- hotel/food/transport receipts
Step 3: Escalate If Qatar Airways Says No
If Qatar pushes back or takes too long to reply, you still have strong escalation options:
- UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA): free advice and complaint handling
- ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution): independent decision-making that Qatar Airways must follow
When Qatar Airways Can Say No — and When They Can’t
Valid Reasons to Reject a Claim
Your claim may be denied if:
- you received more than 14 days’ notice
- your flight did not depart from the UK
- extraordinary circumstances genuinely applied
Rejection Reasons Worth Challenging
Push back if Qatar Airways claims:
- “operational reasons” (too vague)
- technical faults (not extraordinary)
- crew shortages (not extraordinary)
- you “failed to claim correctly” (often incorrect)
Always ask for specific evidence about why your flight was cancelled.
Getting Help When Qatar Airways Won’t Pay
UK Civil Aviation Authority Support
The CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaints Team can take up your case and contact Qatar Airways on your behalf. The CAA can’t force Qatar to pay, but airlines tend to take things seriously once the regulator gets involved.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
ADR providers act like independent referees. If they rule in your favour, Qatar Airways has to follow the decision.
If you want to explore other airlines’ reliability before your next trip, check our Qatar Airways vs Emirates comparison.
FAQs
How do I claim compensation for a cancelled Qatar Airways flight?
Submit your claim directly via Qatar’s website, then escalate to the CAA or ADR if they reject it.
What counts as an extraordinary circumstance?
Severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security threats, and other events outside Qatar Airways’ control. Technical issues and crew shortages don’t count.
How much compensation can I get?
Most UK–Qatar flights qualify for £520 if cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice.
Does it matter if I booked through a travel agent?
Your compensation rights stay the same. Refunds, however, usually go through the agent.
Quick Reference Checklist
- Was your flight cancelled with <14 days’ notice?
- Did the disruption depart from the UK?
- Was the cause extraordinary (or not)?
- Keep receipts and booking documents.
- Claim directly with Qatar Airways.
- Escalate to CAA or ADR if needed.
Next Steps
A cancelled flight can be stressful — but once you know your rights, you’re in a strong position. With compensation of up to £520 on the table, it’s well worth pursuing your claim.
And before you book your next Qatar Airways journey, make sure you browse Groupon’s latest Qatar Airways discount codes. Save money on the way out and get compensated on the way back. That’s travel maths we can all get behind.
