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Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026

Supreme Court Ruling on BA Flight Delay Compensation

The Supreme Court has ruled that a canceled flight due to a pilot's illness doesn't count as an extraordinary circumstance, meaning passengers are entitled to compensation. Kenneth and Linda Lipton's case against BA Cityflyer has set a precedent impacting thousands of claims yearly. The Court of Appeal sided with them, and the Supreme Court upheld that decision, affirming crew illness doesn’t qualify as an extraordinary circumstance.
The Supreme Court has ruled that a flight cancellation due to a pilot's illness is not an 'extraordinary circumstance,' entitling passengers to compensation.

This judgment could influence tens of thousands of claims each year.

Kenneth and Linda Lipton sued BA Cityflyer, a British Airways subsidiary, after being denied compensation for a delayed flight from Milan to London in January 2018.

The Court of Appeal ruled in their favor, rejecting the airline's defense that the pilot's illness was an unavoidable situation.

BA’s further appeal to the Supreme Court was unanimously dismissed.

This decision reaffirms that crew illness, within rest periods or otherwise, does not qualify as an extraordinary circumstance.

Consumer advocate Rocio Concha and the Liptons celebrated the ruling as a victory for justice and common sense against large corporations.
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