London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) was closed early Friday due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation, and could be some time before it reopened to passengers.
According to the latest updates at the airport, Heathrow remains closed Power will recover to the terminal at least until midnight on a Friday night. This means that all flights on Friday will be cancelled, affecting an estimated 150,000 passengers.
The disruption could grow beyond Friday and continue even after the airport reopens. With aircraft and crew evacuated and Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, travelers were able to feel the impact of Friday’s closure for several days.
If you are currently a passenger affected by the disruption, or are due to enter and exit Heathrow in the next few days, here is what you need to know about your rights regarding refunds and compensation.
Can I fly to and from Heathrow at the moment?
Heathrow Airport will be closed until at least midnight on Friday, March 21st.
However, even if Heathrow determines that the airport can open on Saturday, March 22nd, more flight cancellations are possible.
Most flights from the US to Europe depart in the evening and land the following morning. And already, we are already beginning to see cancellations for flights scheduled to depart the US on Friday evenings towards London.
If your flight from Heathrow on Friday is cancelled, please go to the airport and do not contact the airline for further advice. We also recommend paying attention to the airline app for updates and potential rebooking opportunities.
If LHR resumes operations on Saturday, we are fully hoping that this disruption will flow into the days that follow, as would be expected. With so many flights being cancelled or repurposed, more cancellations will occur throughout the weekend, and in some cases more cancellations are expected along with additional delays in flights that can be operated.
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Do I need to change my travel plans?
If your flight was affected on Thursday, March 20th, or if it has already been delayed or cancelled on Friday, March 21st, we recommend flying to or through a European airport other than Heathrow, or changing your travel plans through a European airport.
All other London area airports (Gatwick, Stansted, City, Luton) operate as normal, noting that there will be additional aircraft landings due to detours from Heathrow.
All other airports across the UK and across Europe will not be affected. However, some people may have received a repurposed aircraft, so take-off and landing may take longer than usual.
Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you booked, you may be able to change your itinerary to land in different European cities. Of course, you need to know the additional transport to your final destination via rail, car, or another flight.
If my flight is cancelled or delayed, do I have the right to EU261 or UK261 compensation?
European and UK regulations are entitled to another flight or refund.
Unfortunately, flights cancelled or delayed due to this fire are unlikely to qualify for additional EU261 compensationthis is because it is caused by events outside the control of individual airlines and is considered “extraordinary circumstances.”
However, despite not qualifying for compensation due to “extraordinary circumstances,” the airline still has a duty of care in this example under British law, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
If you are currently stuck at the airport due to this event (note that Heathrow is currently closed and does not allow passengers to enter the terminal), you are entitled to food, drinks and snacks as well. These should be provided by your airline. If they are not provided, then you should be able to charge reasonable costs afterwards. Therefore, keep your receipt.
Airlines expect airlines to extend this care obligation to flights that are not covered by UK law, but they may not need to.
As a guide, here is where you can expect to be covered by UK law.
| Flight Itinerary | Non-UK/Non-EU carrier | UK or EU carriers |
|---|---|---|
| Departing from Heathrow | It’s covered | It’s covered |
| Arrived at Heathrow | It’s covered | Not covered |
US refund policy
Travelers under the US Transportation Agency You are entitled to a refund If their flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, they will ultimately choose not to travel, regardless of the circumstances.
Therefore, if your flight to London is cancelled, the airline will recommend a prompt refund within 7 days if paid by credit card.
However, if the airline offers you a rebooking and you accept it, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Can I get a refund on my flight? Do I need to pay to change my flight?
If you want to change your flight, make sure you do so through your airline app or online self-service. If you choose to call the airline, you can expect long waits if many others try to do the same.
Currently, some US carriers offer the exemption fees that are normally incurred when they change their bookings to:
American Airlines
If a re-booked trip takes place between March 22-26, 2025 and does not change the origin or destination city, the fee will be waived. You will need to rebook the same cabin or pay for the difference. Changes must be booked by March 22nd.
Delta Air Lines
Change fees are exempt. If a trip rebooked before March 26, 2025 takes place in the same cabin that was originally booked, the fare difference will be exempt. Fair differences may apply to any change in a cabin, origin, or destination city. If flights cannot be rescheduled, travelers may cancel their reservation and apply the unused value of the ticket for the purchase of a new ticket for a year from the original ticket issuance.
United Airlines
United will abandon the difference between change fees and fares if they reschedule a trip from now until March 28th. Tickets must be in the same cabin and in the same city where they were originally booked, or in Amsterdam (AMS), Brussels (BRU), Paris (CDG) or Edinburgh (EDI).
Regardless of the individual airline’s policies, Ministry of Transport (DOT) Flight Refund Policyyou have the right to get your money back – no questions asked – your international flight from the US will be cancelled and you choose not to travel.
This policy applies to the undefeated portion of the ticket and will not be overridden by anything outside the airline’s control as EU261 coverage may be.
These and other passenger rights guarantees are Dot dashboard.
Related: Get a refund for a cancelled or delayed flight
What would you do if you were in Europe for spring break and were planning to pass Heathrow?
If your trip is on a Friday, you should consider other alternative options that do not operate at Heathrow Airport. Please note that this is the only airport in Europe that has been closed for this event.
On your trip on Saturday, March 22nd, try alternative transport now or wait when Heathrow announces its reopening. We recommend reaching out to the airline. Airlines recommend offering you the opportunity to change your flight without paying a fee.
Which North American airlines will be affected?
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue were affected by the Heathrow closure, with multiple night flights being decouped, cancelled or returned to their origins.
Flights scheduled to depart for Heathrow on Friday may be cancelled. However, you will need to check with your operating airline.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also offer a comprehensive route network of non-stop services from the US to Heathrow, with multiple flights already cancelling.
Conclusion
This is an unprecedented event in which airport management is rushing to restore power to Europe’s busiest airport. If your flight has already been cancelled, it is a good idea to know your rights and consider another transportation. Please note that thousands of other travelers may be trying to do the same. This can be frustrating, but be patient and respectful of fellow passengers and airline staff. We may continue to watch today’s event fallout over the next few days. It may take some time to completely correct the challenges faced by all passengers.
