Martin Lewis says airline passengers could be owed £200 each if flight is delayed

Martin Lewis says passengers who have flown on a delayed flight could be owed around £200 each.

Some passengers have faced long delays at UK airports in recent weeks as the summer holiday rush gets underway. But many are unaware that they could be able to claim compensation if they arrive at their destination more than three hours later than planned.

Money saving expert Martin told ITV's This Morning that it was important to first confirm whether the delay was caused by the airline or the airport as fixed compensation is only in place for delays where the airline is at fault.

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For example, he said anyone delayed by the recent power cut at Manchester Airport wouldn't be able to claim compensation. "Airport's fault, not airline - wouldn't count," Martin clarified. But when there is a delay caused by the airline, for example due to staffing issues or knock-on delays, passengers could be entitled to a pay out.

Martin said passenger's who have their flights cancelled are always entitled to either a refund or an alternative flight. However, if they end up on an alternative flight that delays their journey they may also be entitled to the compensation.

Explaining who is entitled to a pay out, Martin said: "This is the crucial bit, if you have a flight that arrives late and it's the airline's fault and it arrives over three hours later - which is defined as the time they open the doors when you get off the plane and not when you take off - then you are entitled to fixed compensation.

"It depends how far and how long you're travelling but it's roughly £200 per person. This applies to all UK and EU regulated flights, which is any flight leaving an EU or UK airport, or any flight arriving in an EU or UK airport provided it's a UK or EU airline."

Compensation for delayed flights can be up to £520 for longer delays. Martin said anyone who is on a delayed flight should check their rights just in case they are able to get some money back.

"Just be aware there are rules where you may be entitled to compensation," he told viewers. "If you're going to sit on the plane and you're arriving late then go and get on a search engine find a relevant article that explains it really well and have a read through at that point and then mention it to your fellow passengers."

Your rights change if your flight isn't UK or EU regulated. You could be entitled to a refund or alternative flight, but whether you're due compensation depends on the country that covers it.