In short: The route is 8,807 km long, so a 3-hour-plus delay or a late cancellation is worth £520 per passenger from London Heathrow (UK261). In 2025, 1.59% of flights on the route were at least 3 hours late and 0.56% were cancelled.
How punctual is the route?
- Flights operated
- 1,066
- On time (≤ 15 min late)
- 76.8%
- 3 hours or more late
- 1.59%
- Cancelled
- 0.56%
- Average delay
- 15.0 min
2025, at UK airports
close to the UK average (72.7%)
1 in 63 flights · worse than the UK average
6 flights · better than the UK average
UK average 15.1 min
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority punctuality statistics 2025 – departures and arrivals combined, measured against the schedule at the UK airport. How we use this data
Airlines on this route
| Airline | Flights | On time | 3 h+ late | Cancelled | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 1,066 | 76.8% | 1.59% | 0.56% | 15 min |
What you can claim
| Direction | Rules | 3 h+ delay or late cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow → San Diego | UK261 – departure from a UK airport, any airline | £520 (£260 for 3–4 h) |
| San Diego → London Heathrow | UK261 only with a UK or EU airline | £520 (£260 for 3–4 h) |
On flights from San Diego to the UK, it matters who operated the flight:
- British Airways: UK261 – UK or EU airline flying into the UK
Compensation is fixed by distance, not by the ticket price, and is paid per passenger, children included. It is not due if the airline proves extraordinary circumstances. Whatever the cause, from 2 hours’ delay you are entitled to care (meals, drinks, a hotel if needed) and, after a cancellation, to a refund or re-routing.
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More routes
- London Heathrow → New York15,004 flights
- London Heathrow → Dublin11,851 flights
- London Heathrow → Amsterdam11,219 flights
- London Heathrow → Frankfurt11,022 flights
- London Heathrow → Munich9,566 flights
- London Heathrow → Madrid9,442 flights
- London Heathrow → Paris9,251 flights
- London Heathrow → Geneva8,788 flights
- London Heathrow → Zurich8,606 flights
- London Heathrow → Edinburgh7,725 flights
- London Heathrow → Lisbon7,540 flights
- London Heathrow → Copenhagen7,164 flights
Airport guides: London Heathrow Airport
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation for a delayed London Heathrow to San Diego flight?
The great-circle distance is 8,807 km (5,473 miles). On the flight from London Heathrow UK261 applies: £520 per passenger for an arrival delay of 3 hours or more (£260 if the delay is between 3 and 4 hours). On the return flight from San Diego UK261 applies only if a UK or EU airline operated it.
How often are flights between London Heathrow and San Diego delayed or cancelled?
In 2025 the CAA recorded 1,066 flights on this route (both directions, measured at London Heathrow). 76.8% were on time or less than 15 minutes late, 1.59% were 3 hours or more late (about 1 in 63), and 0.56% were cancelled. The average delay was 15.0 minutes.
Does the airline have to pay if the delay was caused by weather or a strike?
Not if the airline proves extraordinary circumstances – for example severe weather or an air traffic control strike – and that it took all reasonable measures. Technical faults and strikes by the airline’s own staff do not normally count. What counts as extraordinary.
Sources
- UK flight punctuality statistics 2025 – UK Civil Aviation Authority
- The Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 – legislation.gov.uk
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 – EUR-Lex
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