Had a Qatar Airways flight delayed or cancelled? Here is how to claim.
This guide explains who Qatar Airways is, how they usually answer claims, what your rights are, and how to send Qatar Airways a proper letter by Royal Mail.
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is the national airline of the State of Qatar, a small but very wealthy country on the Arabian Peninsula. The airline was founded in 1993, but the modern Qatar Airways really started in 1997 when the new Emir of Qatar took over the country. The airline's hub is Hamad International Airport in Doha, named after the previous Emir. Hamad is one of the busiest hub airports in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world. The airline flies to around 180 cities in 86 countries.
Qatar Airways is 100% owned by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country's sovereign wealth fund. QIA is one of the world's biggest sovereign wealth funds, managing around US$557 billion of assets as of 2025. QIA also owns Harrods, big parts of Canary Wharf in London, a large stake in Sainsbury's, and many other UK assets. So Qatar Airways is effectively owned by the Government of Qatar through its investment arm. The current chairman is Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Qatar Airways flies to several UK airports: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. The fleet includes the Airbus A350 (Qatar was the first airline to fly this plane), Boeing 777, Airbus A380, Airbus A330 and the newer Airbus A321neo. Qatar Airways is a member of the Oneworld alliance, the same airline alliance that British Airways and Iberia belong to. Cabin classes on Qatar Airways include First (only on a few A380s), QSuite Business Class (with their famous patented sliding doors), Premium Economy (introduced 2024), and Economy.
Registered office
Qatar Airways Group Q.C.S.C.10-11 Conduit Street
London (Mayfair)
W1S 2QR
United Kingdom
UK Companies House overseas company number: FC018591 (also OE029126) · UK establishment number: BR002965 · Operating airline: Qatar Airways Group Q.C.S.C. (Qatari Closed Shareholding Company) · Parent: Qatar Investment Authority (Qatar's sovereign wealth fund) · Regulator (in UK): UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) · IATA / ICAO codes: QR / QTR
Group structure
State of Qatar / Qatar Investment Authority (ultimate owner)
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is Qatar's sovereign wealth fund. It was created in 2005 to invest Qatar's oil and gas money in other things, so the country has income beyond just energy. QIA does not publish a complete list of what it owns, but known holdings include all of Qatar Airways, Harrods in London, Qatar Holding, Qatar National Bank, big chunks of Canary Wharf, and shares in many big international companies. Headquarters: Ooredoo Tower, Doha.
Sovereign wealth fund. US$557 billion under management.Qatar Airways Group Q.C.S.C.
This is the operating airline, registered in Qatar as a "Closed Shareholding Company" (Q.C.S.C.). All shares are held by the Qatar Investment Authority. The airline is registered with UK Companies House as an overseas company (FC018591) with a UK establishment number BR002965. The UK office is at 10-11 Conduit Street in Mayfair, London. If you need to take Qatar Airways to court in the UK, you can serve papers at the UK office.
UK Companies House FC018591. UK establishment BR002965.Qatar Airways' stake in IAG (a surprising fact)
Qatar Airways is the largest single shareholder in IAG, the Spanish-registered holding company that owns British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling. Qatar Airways bought 10% in 2015, then gradually increased its stake to 25.1% by February 2020. So when you fly Qatar Airways, you are flying with an airline that owns a quarter of British Airways' parent company. Despite this ownership link, Qatar Airways and BA still compete against each other on UK-Doha routes.
25.1% stake in IAG as of February 2020.Other Qatar Airways group brands
Qatar Airways also runs Qatar Executive (a private jet charter business), Qatar Airways Cargo (one of the largest air cargo operators in the world), and various airport ground services through Qatar Aviation Services. None of these affect a normal passenger's UK261 claim, but they show the size of the operation.
What a Qatar Airways reply usually looks like
- 1An automated email saying Qatar Airways has got your UK261 claim through the form at qatarairways.com.
- 2A slow first response. Qatar Airways is famously slow to deal with UK261 claims, sometimes taking many months. Many UK passengers escalate to PACT (CAA's complaints team) and then receive a response from Qatar within weeks once PACT gets involved.
- 3A rejection if Qatar Airways thinks UK261 does not apply (for example, if the flight was arriving in the UK from Doha). Qatar Airways is sometimes correct on this. UK261 has limits, explained below.
- 4A rejection on "extraordinary circumstances" grounds. Common reasons given are weather (Gulf storms, sandstorms in Doha), air traffic control problems, or technical issues.
- 5An offer of Avios (the loyalty programme points), a voucher, or a partial cash payment. You do not have to take any of these. UK261 entitles you to the FULL cash amount.
- 6A final cash payment, often the exact UK261 long-haul amount (£520 or £260). Qatar Airways often pays in full once a case has been properly pursued through PACT and the threat of court has been made.
How much can you claim from Qatar Airways under UK261?
Compensation amounts are fixed by flight distance and apply to delays of three hours or more at the final destination, cancellations with less than 14 days' notice, and denied boarding. The flight distance is the “great circle distance” between the departure and arrival airports, not the route flown.
| Flight distance | Delay length | Amount per passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km (e.g. London to Dublin) | 3 hours or more | £220 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km (e.g. London to Athens) | 3 hours or more | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km (e.g. London to New York) | 3 to 4 hours | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 hours or more | £520 |
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority, UK261 compensation guidance.
Your rights
UK Regulation 261/2004, Article 5 (cancellations)
Did Qatar Airways cancel your UK-departing flight less than 14 days before take-off? You have two choices. Get your money back. Or ask Qatar Airways to put you on a different flight. The choice is yours, not theirs. On top of that, you can usually get cash too. Because Qatar Airways only flies long-haul from the UK, the amount is either £260 or £520 per passenger.
UK Regulation 261/2004, Article 6 and the Sturgeon ruling
What if your UK-departing flight was just late, not cancelled? Article 6 covers delays. In 2009, a court case called Sturgeon said that any delay of 3 hours or more should be paid out, the same as a cancellation. The UK kept this rule after Brexit. Qatar Airways has to follow it for UK-departing flights.
UK Regulation 261/2004, Article 7 (compensation amounts)
This is the rule that sets the cash amount. For Qatar Airways, only the long-haul amounts apply because every Qatar Airways flight is over 3,500 km. £260 per passenger if your delay was between 3 and 4 hours. £520 per passenger if your delay was 4 hours or more. Qatar Airways cannot pay you less just because you flew Economy or had a discounted ticket.
UK Regulation 261/2004, Articles 8 and 9 (refund and care)
On top of the cash, two other rules look after you. Article 8 lets you pick between a refund or a new flight. Article 9 says Qatar Airways has to look after you while you wait. That means free food, free drinks, two phone calls or emails, and a hotel if you have to stay overnight. UK passenger reports show that Qatar Airways ground staff sometimes refuse to provide proper duty of care at UK airports. If they refuse, pay for what you need yourself, KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS, and claim them back in your letter.
UK Regulation 261/2004, Article 10 (downgrades)
Qatar Airways has four cabin classes: First, QSuite Business, Premium Economy and Economy. If Qatar Airways put you in a lower class than the one you paid for (for example, downgraded you from QSuite Business to Economy), you get 75% of your ticket price back. The 75% applies to ALL Qatar Airways flights because every Qatar Airways route is long-haul. This refund is separate from any delay compensation you claim on top.
UK Regulation 261/2004, Article 5(3) (the "extraordinary circumstances" rule)
Qatar Airways can get out of paying only if BOTH of these are true. One, the cause was outside their control. Two, they could not have stopped it even if they tried hard. Things that DO count are bad weather, war, real security alerts, and air traffic control strikes. Lightning strikes on the aircraft have been argued by Qatar Airways as extraordinary, but UK passengers have successfully claimed against Qatar Airways for lightning-related delays. The key question is whether Qatar Airways could have got another plane to fix the situation. Things that DO NOT count are Qatar Airways' own staff problems, a normal aircraft fault, or crew illness (after the 2024 Lipton ruling).
Limitation Act 1980, section 9
How long do you have to claim? In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you have 6 years from the date of the flight. In Scotland, you have 5 years. A 2014 court case called Dawson v Thomson Airways made this clear. Because Qatar Airways has no ADR scheme, the court is your main backstop, so this 6-year window matters more than for airlines with ADR.
Common Qatar Airways situations
Your UK-departing Qatar Airways flight was delayed by 4 hours or more
This is a clear UK261 case. Every Qatar Airways flight is long-haul, so the amount is £520 per passenger. A family of four on a delayed London-to-Doha flight (the most common route) could claim £2,080. Send a letter quoting Article 7 of UK261 and your specific flight number, date and arrival delay.
Your flight was arriving in the UK from Doha
UK261 does NOT cover you in this case because Qatar Airways is a non-UK/EU airline and the flight was not departing the UK. Your options are: claim through Qatar Airways' own terms (sometimes pays goodwill), claim under Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) rules, claim on your travel insurance, or use the Montreal Convention for specific losses (lost connections, proven extra costs). It is worth writing a letter anyway because Qatar Airways does sometimes pay goodwill compensation, but legally they do not have to under UK261.
Qatar Airways rejected your UK261 claim and you cannot use AviationADR
Qatar Airways is not in any UK ADR scheme. Your only routes are: complain to the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT), or sue Qatar Airways in the small claims court. A real UK passenger case from November 2025 (documented on FlyerTalk) shows that PACT involvement led to a £520 payment from Qatar Airways after about four months of correspondence. Court is the backup if PACT does not work.
Qatar Airways said your flight was extraordinary circumstances
A vague rejection is not enough. The law says Qatar Airways has to PROVE the cause was outside their control AND that they could not have stopped it. Bad weather at the airport usually counts. Lightning strikes on the aircraft are arguable but UK passengers have won cases on this. A normal aircraft fault does NOT count. Crew illness does NOT count after Lipton v BA Cityflyer (2024). If Qatar Airways gives a vague rejection, write back and demand specific cause and evidence.
Qatar Airways downgraded you from QSuite Business to Economy
This is covered by Article 10. You get 75% of your ticket price back. For QSuite Business Class tickets that can be £3,000 to £8,000, the refund is significant. Qatar Airways sometimes offers a partial Avios refund instead. Reject that and demand the proper Article 10 cash refund based on the actual price of the ticket leg you were downgraded on.
Qatar Airways offered you Avios instead of cash
Qatar Airways switched its loyalty currency to Avios in 2022. This means Qatar Airways Avios are the same as British Airways Avios, Iberia Avios, and Aer Lingus Avios. They have real value but are NOT cash. The law (Article 7) gives you the right to a cash payment. Write back and ask for cash to your bank account. Quote Article 7. If Qatar Airways refuses, your routes are PACT or court.
You missed a connecting Qatar Airways flight beyond Doha
Qatar Airways sells lots of "one ticket" itineraries from UK airports to Asia or Australia via Doha. If your UK-Doha leg was late and you missed the connection, UK261 applies to the WHOLE journey based on the total distance to your final destination (a 2013 court case called Folkerts confirmed this). So a delayed London-Doha leg that made you arrive in Sydney 4 hours late means £520 per passenger.
Send your Qatar Airways claim letter via Royal Mail
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Frequently asked questions
How much can I claim from Qatar Airways?
It depends. First check that UK261 actually applies (see below). If it does, the amount is £260 or £520 per passenger. Every Qatar Airways route is over 3,500 km (long-haul), so the short-haul amounts (£220 and £350) never apply. £260 for 3 to 4 hours late. £520 for 4 hours or more late. A family of four can claim up to £2,080.
My Qatar Airways flight was coming from Doha INTO the UK, not departing. Can I claim?
Not under UK261, unfortunately. UK261 only covers non-UK/EU airlines (like Qatar Airways) on flights that DEPART from a UK airport. Flights arriving in the UK from Doha on Qatar Airways are not covered. Your options for an inbound delay are: claim under Qatar Airways' own terms (sometimes pays goodwill), claim under QCAA rules, use your travel insurance, or use the Montreal Convention for proven costs like missed connections.
Is Qatar Airways really a part-owner of British Airways?
Effectively yes. Qatar Airways owns 25.1% of IAG (International Airlines Group), which is the holding company that owns British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling. Qatar Airways is the largest single shareholder in IAG. So when you fly Qatar Airways, you are flying with an airline that owns a quarter of BA's parent. This is also why Qatar Airways uses Avios (the same loyalty currency as BA) and why the two airlines codeshare a lot.
Is Qatar Airways a member of an ADR scheme like AviationADR or CEDR?
No. Qatar Airways is not in any UK ADR scheme. They are also not in the German Söp scheme that Lufthansa uses. If Qatar Airways rejects your UK261 claim, your only routes are: complain to the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT), or sue Qatar Airways in the small claims court. PACT involvement often leads to a payment within a few months even though their decisions are not legally binding.
What if Qatar Airways says my flight was extraordinary circumstances?
A vague rejection is not enough. The law says Qatar Airways has to prove the cause was outside their control AND that they could not have stopped it. Bad weather at the airport usually counts. A normal aircraft fault does NOT count. Crew illness does NOT count after Lipton v BA Cityflyer (2024). Lightning strikes are arguable but UK passengers have won cases on this. Demand specific details and evidence.
What if Qatar Airways offered me Avios?
You do not have to take Avios. The law gives you the right to cash, not loyalty points. Write back and ask for cash to your bank account. Quote Article 7 of UK261. Avios from Qatar Airways' Privilege Club are the same Avios used by British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus, but they are still not cash for legal purposes.
What if Qatar Airways downgraded me from QSuite Business?
Article 10 of UK261 gives you 75% of your ticket price back. QSuite Business Class tickets can be expensive (£3,000 to £8,000 on the UK-Doha route), so the 75% refund can be significant. Demand the proper Article 10 cash refund based on the actual ticket price you paid. This is separate from any delay compensation.
How long do I have to claim from Qatar Airways?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you have 6 years from the date of the flight. In Scotland, you have 5 years. A 2014 court case called Dawson v Thomson Airways made this clear. Because Qatar Airways has no ADR scheme, this 6-year court window is your main backstop. Do not leave it too long.
Free help and what to do next
CAA Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT)
The UK's flying regulator's complaints team. PACT is the main escalation route for Qatar Airways UK-departing claims because Qatar Airways is not in any ADR scheme. PACT cannot force Qatar Airways to pay but their involvement often leads to a payment within a few months. Free to use.
Visit website →Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA)
The Qatari aviation regulator. For complaints about Qatar Airways flights that departed from Doha (not the UK), you may have rights under Qatar's own consumer protection rules. Useful for arriving-in-UK flight delays where UK261 does not apply.
Visit website →Citizens Advice Consumer Service
Free, independent advice on UK261, the Montreal Convention and your rights as a passenger. Helpline: 0808 223 1133.
Visit website →Money Claim Online (MCOL)
The online court service for England and Wales. Because Qatar Airways has no ADR scheme, the small claims court is the main backstop for unpaid valid UK261 claims. You have 6 years from the date of the flight to sue (5 in Scotland). Qatar Airways' UK office at 10-11 Conduit Street, London W1S 2QR is the address for serving court papers.
Visit website →Ready to claim from Qatar Airways?
PostRight prints and posts your UK261 claim letter via Royal Mail. Tracked 24 is available for £9.99 if you want proof of delivery. From £2.79.
Send a Qatar Airways letter from £2.79From £2.79 · Printed and posted by Royal Mail · Dispatched within one business day