Both flights on my round trip to Dublin were delayed for a total of three hours – am I entitled to any compensation?

Are there rules for compensation for combined delays on a return flight?

My return flight from London Gatwick to Dublin Airport with Ryanair was delayed for a total of three hours if you factor in delays on the inbound flight from Dublin and the outbound flight to London on the way back.

I’ve noticed over the past few months that my outbound and return flights never leave on time as planned – they are always delayed by at least an hour and sometimes more, which can add up to a total of three hours delay for the outward and return journeys.

Smaller delays like this for the flight heading out of the UK and back in add up, but passengers are not given any reason other than ‘a delay with the incoming aircraft before your flight has meant your flight has been delayed’.

Sometimes I’m stranded on a later flight to London because the last train has left by the time we land on the tarmac and there’s no choice but to take a taxi home. Via email

Helen Kirrane from This is Money replies: Whether or not you receive flight delay compensation depends on the length of the delay, the distance of the flight and the countries you travel between.

You’re entitled to compensation if your flight arrives more than three hours late and it’s the airline’s fault – but this is for a single leg, not a combination of the inbound delay and the outbound delay, like the one you incurred.

Charity Citizens Advice advises that for flights less than 1,500km away, which would have been your flight to Dublin (actually 300 miles), your arrival must be delayed by two hours in order to receive any compensation.

In general, there is nothing you can do for an hour or 90 minutes delay, which is what your inbound flight was. Two hours is the minimum amount of time airlines require to take care of you.

However, your outgoing flight came close, arriving an hour and 55 minutes later than intended.

If your flight is delayed by three hours for a flight between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, or four hours for a flight of more than 3,500 km, your airline must provide you with food and drink, access to phone calls and emails, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight – and travel between the airport and the hotel.

The airline can give you vouchers to get these things at the airport. If you are not offered assistance, ask someone who works for the airline.

If they don’t help you at the airport, keep receipts for expenses and try to claim from the airline later. Airlines only pay for ‘reasonable’ expenses – you are unlikely to get refunds for alcohol, expensive meals or luxury hotels.

Jane Hawkes, an independent consumer advocate, replies: ‘Flight compensation applies if the airline is at fault and the flight delay causes you to arrive at your destination more than three hours late.

‘But it’s the arrival time that’s important. You may depart three hours and 15 minutes late, but if the flight lands two hours and 55 minutes late, you will not have to pay compensation.

The amount to be claimed per person depends on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay. Airlines are not obliged to offer compensation for delays of less than two hours, regardless of the reason.

‘They are obliged to keep passengers informed of what is going on. If this is a common occurrence, the choice of an alternative carrier may be the only option, if available.’

If your flight is delayed by three hours or more

Helen Kirrane from This is Money replies: You are entitled to compensation if your flight arrives more than three hours late and it’s the airline’s fault, for example if they didn’t get enough bookings or there was a technical glitch.

You are unlikely to be compensated if the delay is due to something beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather or a safety concern.

The compensation you are entitled to depends on the distance of your flight and the length of the delay. You must file a claim with the airline to get compensation.

Rory Boland, Which one? Travel editor, replies: “It is unacceptable that chaotic scenes at UK airports have become so common during peak times, particularly flight delays with little explanation.

“This frustration is often exacerbated by some airlines failing to meet their legal obligations to pay compensation, refunds or divert passengers, even with rival airlines.

“Flight delays and cancellations are especially unacceptable this year as travelers have paid a lot of money for their flights.

What you’re entitled to if you experience disruption is based on a flight-by-flight basis, depending on the distance of your flight, how long you’re delayed and the reason for the delay. For most shorter European flights, the airline is obliged to provide you with food and drink after a two-hour delay.’