If you're travelling to the Canary Islands, there is a chance you’ll experience a flight delay. The high volume of travel from UK and EU airports to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura can mean delays due to volume, technical issues, or scheduling problems. And all these issues occur throughout the year. 

Travellers often view delays as bad luck and move on without knowing that they may be entitled to a cash payment from the airline for delays passengers experience.

Many people who fly to Tenerife or Lanzarote after Brexit are completely unaware of their traveller protections. If your flight to or from the Canary Islands is significantly delayed and disrupted by the airline, learning your right to flight delay compensation is the most important step in recovering your travel costs.

In this article, you’ll get to know when a flight to the Canaries is eligible for a flight delay claim, what the applicable laws state, and what compensation you may be entitled to. So, without further ado, let’s get into the topic. 

Are You Eligible for Canary Islands Flight Delay Compensation?

Not all delays mean compensation. So, determining eligibility is the first step for any claim.

Qualifying Delay Times

First, let’s understand that delays are measured from landing, not taking off. For qualification, flights must land three hours late from their scheduled times and the delays must be within the airline's control. 

For example, a flight that takes off and lands 90 and 40 minutes late respectively will not qualify since delays are only measured from the arrival gate.

Which Flights Count

Flights that qualify depend on the beginning location of the journey and the airline operating it.

• Flights leaving UK airports and headed to the Canary Islands (of any airline)
• EU261 applies to all flights departing from an EU airport, regardless of the airline. 
• Flights arriving in the EU from outside the EU if they are operated by an EU airline. 

Since the Canary Islands are part of Spain, both legs of a typical package holiday will be protected. This allows one trip to create two separate claims provided you are flying on a UK or EU operating airline for the return leg. 

Prior to filing a claim, you should review your booking for the following requirements.

• You must have a confirmed reservation on the flight that was delayed
• You must have either checked in at the time on the ticket, or no later than 45 minutes prior to the departure time stated on the ticket if no time was provided
• Tickets bought at non-public fares (e.g. free/discounted staff tickets sold to the public) are not eligible
• Reward bookings made with air miles or a loyalty scheme are still eligible, provided a seat was reserved
• Flights booked with connecting flights, when part of a single itinerary, do count as one single journey; however, the distance is measured from the airport of departure to the final destination.

Now that you know when you’re eligible to get a delay compensation, scroll down to find what your rights as a passenger are that you must avail. 

Know Your Rights as a Passenger

There are two sets of rules that apply to flights to and from the Canary Islands. Which set of rules is applicable depends on which airport you fly out of and which airline you are flying with.

The Rules

UK261 applies to flights departing the UK regardless of airline. Also, flights arriving in the UK are covered only when operated by a UK or EU airline. Whereas EU261 applies to flights from all Spanish airports, including the Canary Islands, regardless of which air carrier you are flying with. Therefore, a flight from Manchester to Tenerife is protected on the outbound journey under UK261 and on the inbound journey under EU261 since it is leaving an EU airport.

Question	UK261	EU261
Where does it apply?	Flights departing from the UK (any airline)	Flights departing from the EU (any airline)
Inbound flights covered?	Yes, if flying to the UK on a UK or EU airline	Yes, if flying to the EU on an EU airline
Compensation currency	Pounds (£)	Euros (€)
Care during long delays	Meals, drinks, hotel, and transport if needed	Meals, drinks, hotel, and transport if needed
Good to know	A Manchester → Tenerife flight is covered by UK261	A Tenerife → Manchester flight is covered by EU261

 

When you qualify for compensation 

Not every delayed flight qualifies for compensation. Airlines do not compensate when the delay or cancellation is out of their control. These include:

• Severe weather, like Tenerife North Airport's north winds or fog
• Issues with airport security or emergency closure
• Interference by local authorities with airspace or ground handling
• Air Traffic Control strikes or third-party imposed limitations

If you don’t want the hassle of getting compensation, Airhelp can help you with that. 

How Much Compensation Should You Expect?

The amounts paid out under UK261 and EU261 legislation are directly defined by law. This means, the same amount would be paid to each eligible passenger on the same affected flight regardless of the price each passenger paid for their ticket.

Compensation For Distance

Payment is based on flight distance, not actual wait time for the passenger past the three-hour mark.

Flight Distance	Compensation (GBP)	Compensation (EUR)
Up to 1,500 km	£220	€250
1,500 km to 3,500 km	£350	€400
Over 3,500 km	£520	€600

A typical flight from London to Tenerife is around 2,900 km, and most other flights to the Canary Islands from the UK are in approximately the same range, and most of these flights fall in the middle band and pay £350 per passenger for eligible delays. 

There is one exception for long-distance flights over 3,500 km. If a flight arrives with a delay between three and four hours, the airline can pay only half the usual compensation. Payment only becomes full compensation after the delay reaches four hours. But this often applies during connecting flights.

The "Right to Care": What the Airline Must Give You During the Wait

If your flight is delayed or cancelled and you have to wait at the airport, the airline has a right to care obligation. 

Depending on how long the delay lasts, you may receive:

Delay Length	Route Distance	Airline Obligation (Right to Care)
2+ Hours	Short Haul (< 1,500 km)	Food & drink vouchers, 2 free phone calls/emails.
3+ Hours	Medium Haul (1,500 km - 3,500 km)	Food & drink vouchers, 2 free phone calls/emails.
Overnight	Any Route	Free hotel room, transport to/from the airport.

The airline should also arrange transportation between the airport and your hotel. If it does not provide these services and you pay for them yourself, keep all your receipts. You may be able to claim those reasonable expenses later.

Wrap Up

That’s all you need to know about getting flight delay compensation for your trip to the Canary Islands. Flight delays often happen due to crew shortages or technical faults. So, it’s best to know your passenger rights so you can claim compensation.