Snowstorm in Chicago, Delay at Heathrow: Can You Claim From American Airlines This Winter?

It's a clear, crisp December morning at Heathrow. Your American Airlines flight to New York is showing a 5 hour delay, and the reason given is weather. You look out of the window and see blue sky. What's going on?

The answer is usually on the other side of the Atlantic. The plane you're meant to be flying on has to get to London first, and if it was stuck in a snowstorm in Chicago, Dallas or New York the night before, your flight is late before anyone in the UK has done anything wrong. Whether you can still claim depends on the detail.

Why US weather hits UK departures

Most of American's Heathrow flights are operated by an aircraft that has just flown in overnight from the US. Winter storms in the Northeast and Midwest, ice storms in Texas and de-icing queues at Chicago O'Hare can ground or delay that inbound plane, and the delay rolls straight into your departure from the UK.

When weather is a valid excuse

Severe weather is one of the classic extraordinary circumstances that can let an airline off paying compensation. An airline can sometimes rely on weather that affected the previous flight by the same aircraft, but it has to show:

• The weather was genuinely severe, not just routine winter conditions it should plan for
• There was a direct link between that weather and your delay
• It took all reasonable measures to limit the delay, such as using a spare aircraft or crew if one was available

When you can still claim

"Weather" on a delay notice is the start of the conversation, not the end. These situations are often still worth claiming:

• The storm was a day or two ago. Once the weather has cleared, delays from catching up on the backlog, crew who have run out of hours, or aircraft out of position are much harder for the airline to blame on the storm
• Other flights were fine. If other airlines flew the same route on time, or American's other flights from the same US airport left normally, the weather may not have been the real cause
• The reason changed. A delay that started as weather and became a technical fault or a crew problem isn't extraordinary any more
• Routine winter conditions. Ordinary snow and de-icing at a hub that sees them every winter is something airlines are expected to plan for

Our explainers on extraordinary circumstances and winter weather delays go into more detail.

How much is at stake?

Every American Airlines flight from the UK to the US is over 3,500km, so if the delay wasn't genuinely extraordinary you're owed:

• £520 per passenger for an arrival delay of 4 hours or more
• £260 per passenger for a delay of 3 to 4 hours

A couple flying out to New York for Christmas shopping could be owed over £1,000.

Your rights while you wait, whatever the weather

Even when the weather is genuinely extraordinary and no compensation is due, American still has to look after you on a long delay from the UK: meals and refreshments, and a hotel with transport if you're stuck overnight. If they cancel, you're owed a refund or a new flight. See our guide to American Airlines cancellations.

Screenshot everything

• The delay reason shown in the American app and on the departure boards, and any time it changes
• Emails and texts from the airline about the delay
• The time you actually arrived at your destination
• Receipts for food, hotels and transport

Start your claim

If your American Airlines flight from the UK was delayed and you're not sure the weather excuse stands up, check your flight with Klaimly. We check the inbound aircraft's history and what actually caused the delay. We charge a flat 5% fee, only if we win, with no VAT added and nothing to pay upfront. American Airlines pays your compensation directly to you.