Up to 23 British Airways passengers are suing the airline following the cancellation of a flight earlier this year.
Each of the passengers, who are being represented by aviation consumer rights specialist EUclaim could receive £476 each after the flight was aborted on March 14.
EUclaim has commenced the claim at Uxbridge County Court in London.
While BA has blamed extraordinary circumstances, which would exempt it from paying compensation, EUclaim chief executive Hendrik Noorderhaven claimed the passengers had a strong case.
He said: “BA has produced numerous reasons for cancellations and for the non payment of their passengers’ claims – these range from insufficient cabin crew and staff sickness to technical problems. These are, in most cases not extraordinary circumstances.”
A BA spokeswoman said: “We comply with all the European regulations and we will be defending the claim being made against us.