Airlines are normally required to pay compensation under EU261 and UK261 when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked—but there are important exceptions. If a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, Jet2 may be exempt from paying compensation, even though other passenger rights may still apply.
In this guide, we’ll explain what qualifies as EU261 extraordinary circumstances, when Jet2 is not legally required to pay flight compensation, and how to determine whether a rejected claim has been wrongly refused.
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UK261/EU261 Extraordinary Circumstances When Flying with Jet2
EU261 extraordinary circumstances refer to events that are outside Jet2’s control and could not have been avoided even if the airline had taken all reasonable preventive measures.
When a flight disruption is caused by such circumstances, the airline is not legally required to pay flight compensation. However, this exemption applies only to compensation—the airline still has a duty of care, meaning it must provide meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation when necessary, and rebooking or rerouting for affected passengers.
Examples of Extraordinary Circumstances for Flight Delays and Cancellations
Common examples include:
- Severe weather: Dangerous conditions such as storms, heavy snow, strong winds, or dense fog that make flying unsafe.
- Natural disasters: Events like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or flooding that disrupt airport and airspace operations.
- Terrorism threats: Credible security risks to passengers or crew that force operational changes or cancellations.
- Airport security incidents: Situations such as bomb threats or emergency security closures that interrupt normal airport activity.
- Air traffic control restrictions: Congestion, safety issues, or system failures leading to imposed delays or limits on departures and arrivals.
- Airport or ATC staff strikes: Industrial action by airport or air traffic personnel that disrupts flight operations.
- Pandemics and public health emergencies: Large-scale health crises that lead to government restrictions, border closures, staff shortages, or suspended flight operations.
What Does Not Count as Extraordinary Circumstances
Now that we’ve covered what qualifies as EU261 extraordinary circumstances, it’s just as important to understand what does not fall into this category. The following situations are considered to be within the airline’s control and therefore do not exempt the airline from paying compensation:
- Technical faults – including mechanical failures, normal wear and tear, or routine maintenance issues
- Crew shortages – when the airline fails to properly schedule pilots or cabin crew
- Operational problems – such as poor planning, late aircraft rotation, or scheduling errors
- Airline staff strikes – when the disruption is caused by the airline’s own employees
In all of these cases, the airline remains liable under UK261/EU261 and must pay compensation if the flight is delayed by 3 hours or more, cancelled at the last minute, or if passengers are denied boarding.
When Airlines Wrongly Claim “Extraordinary Circumstances”
Airlines often label disruptions as “extraordinary circumstances” even when they are not. This is a common tactic used to avoid paying compensation, since problems that fall within the airline’s control would otherwise require compensation to be paid.
If this happens, you should request written evidence from the airline, verify the cause using independent sources, and escalate the case to the relevant enforcement body if necessary. You can also pursue Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or legal action if the airline continues to wrongly deny what you are legally owed.
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Extraordinary Circumstances and Flight Compensation Eligibility
Flight delayed due to weather? When a flight delay or cancellation is the result of extraordinary circumstances, the airline is generally not required to pay financial compensation.
For example, disruptions caused by severe weather, such as storms, or natural events like volcanic ash clouds, usually fall outside the airline’s liability for compensation.
That said, the airline is still obliged to clearly explain the reason for the disruption and provide passengers with appropriate care and assistance, including a new flight or a refund where required.
No, you can’t get compensation for flight delay due to weather or other extraordinary circumstances.
Your Right to Care During Extraordinary Circumstances
Even when a flight delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances, passengers still retain key protections — most importantly, the right to care.
If your delay reaches 3 hours or more, the airline must provide:
- Complimentary meals and refreshments
- Two free communications, such as phone calls or emails
- Hotel accommodation and transport to and from the hotel if an overnight stay is required
These rights apply regardless of the cause of the disruption.
Refunds and Rebooking Rights in Extraordinary Circumstances
If your flight is disrupted by extraordinary circumstances, the airline is still required to inform you of your options. You will usually receive an update by email or SMS explaining the situation and what steps to take next. In the case of a delay, the message will typically include the expected length of the delay and when you should arrive at the airport.
If your flight is cancelled, the airline must clearly outline your refund and rerouting options. You have the right to choose between a full refund or rebooking on an alternative flight at no extra cost. Importantly, these rights apply regardless of the reason for the cancellation or how far in advance it occurs—you are always entitled to one of these two options.
Read more:
- Jet2 Flight Delay Compensation
- Jet2 Flight Cancellation Compensation
- Jet2 Denied Boarding Compensation
What are extraordinary circumstances? EU261 extraordinary circumstances are events outside of the airline’s control. Flight compensation is not due in these situations. But your right to care and refund/new flight remains.
Featured photo by Tsvetoslav Hristov from Pexels