How Much Flight Delay Compensation Is Appropriate?

For the frequent traveler, flight delays are an inevitable part of life. Receiving compensation for a delayed flight used to be more complex than if it were simply canceled.

However, a recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when their flight has significant changes, and those changes have been defined as a delay of at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Let’s dive into flight delay compensation and the various policies of major airlines in the United States. We’ll also take a look at passenger rights in Canada and the European Union (EU).

What Is Flight Delay Compensation?

Flight delay compensation is a form of reimbursement airlines will offer you in the event your flight experiences a delay. Typically, the longer the delay, the greater the compensation benefits will be.

Flight delay compensation may include the following:

• Full cash refund: If your domestic flight is delayed for three hours or your international flight is delayed for six hours, you’re entitled to a full cash refund, minus the value of any transportation already used, as long as you reject any alternative forms of compensation from the airline. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, even if the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines. Refunds can be in cash or the original payment form used, such as airline miles.
• Rebooking: Most major U.S. airlines are willing to rebook you on their own or interline partner flights at no extra cost.
• Meal vouchers: For certain delays, airlines may offer you meal vouchers or other reasonable reimbursement for the additional costs incurred due to extended wait times.
• Accommodation: For overnight delays, most airlines will pay the costs of a hotel for you.
• Transportation: If you end up staying in a hotel due to an overnight delay, the majority of airlines will cover the cost of transport to and from the hotel and airport.

Keep in mind that delays need to be of a minimum duration to qualify for compensation. For most U.S. airlines, your rights to a full cash refund are triggered after three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights, while additional compensation benefits are typically triggered for delays of between two and three hours or more.

Likewise, airlines aren’t the only ones who can provide you with flight delay compensation. There are many cards with trip delay insurance that can cover you for unreimbursed expenses such as accommodation, transport and food.

How to Claim Your Flight Delay Compensation

If your flight was delayed for at least the minimum necessary duration, you’re entitled to a full cash refund: three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

You won’t need to worry about jumping through hoops to get this refund. Instead, airlines and ticketing agents are required to issue it automatically within seven business days for credit card payments and 20 calendar days for all other payment methods.

However, if you want to claim additional compensation benefits, you’ll need to know why your flight was canceled. Specifically, you’ll want to know if it was due to a controllable or uncontrollable delay. Knowing this will enable you to have a clearer understanding of your rights to compensation.

From here, you’ll want to ensure that you have the necessary documentation to claim flight delay compensation. Typically, evidence of the delay and an accompanying reason for the delay are key documents to have with you. Having these documents can also help you claim compensation from the airline at a later date or claim trip delay insurance with your credit card issuer.

You’ll then want to get in touch with an agent or airline representative. That could either be an agent at the counter, over a customer service hotline or through social media. It’s not a bad idea to try all three, to ensure you can speak with someone quickly.

Keep in mind that for controllable daytime delays of three or more hours, the agent may be able to book you on another flight at no extra cost, as well as provide meal vouchers. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines may also book you on a flight with a different airline with whom they have an interline agreement. Just remember that this will negate your right to a full cash refund if you accept it.

Searching for flights yourself can help move things along. When it comes to receiving additional compensation, the more proactive you are, the better your chances are for success. That means if you find another flight on the same day with the same airline or an interline partner, it wouldn’t hurt to ask the airline to rebook you on that flight. There’s no guarantee that they’ll do it, but there’s also no guarantee that they won’t.

For controllable overnight delays, almost all major U.S. airlines will provide you with complimentary hotel accommodation, excluding Frontier Airlines. For controllable delays of three or more hours, some airlines, such as Alaska Airlines, will even provide you with frequent flyer miles as compensation.

When it comes to receiving compensation, don’t be shy in asking—it could easily be the difference between compensation or no compensation.

Just keep in mind that being polite and respectful will get you a lot further than being aggressive and rude when dealing with customer service agents. We get that a delayed flight can be a hassle. But knowing your options for compensation and being polite in requesting them will be a far more effective strategy than shouting.

Your success in receiving compensation for a delayed flight often hinges on a combination of your bargaining power, your knowledge of your rights, and the airline agent’s discretion.

Key Considerations for Claiming Compensation

If your flight is delayed for the minimum duration required to be considered a “significant change” or canceled, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund if you don’t wish to be rebooked on another flight—regardless of whether the delay was controllable or uncontrollable.

However, it’s crucial to be fast and organized when it comes to claiming additional flight delay compensation, as meal vouchers and reimbursement for transportation and accommodation costs are not legally required.

Your first priority is working out whether the delay is considered a controllable or uncontrollable delay. Airlines will provide compensation only in the event of controllable delays.

Simply speaking, controllable delays are those in which the cause of delay can in part be attributed to the actions of the airline. Some examples of controllable delays include:

• Mechanical issues
• Baggage issues
• Fuel issues
• Airline system glitches
• Crew exceeding legal hours

Uncontrollable delays, for which you wouldn’t be entitled additional compensation benefits, include:

• Inclement weather
• “Acts of God”
• Security-related delays
• Passenger illness
• Air traffic congestion delays
• Safety-related delays

That means if your flight is delayed due to an airline system glitch, which then causes a crew timeout situation, your chances of receiving compensation are fairly good. But if a fluke blizzard causes your delay, your chances for additional compensation are low.

For controllable delays of three or more hours, all top 10 major U.S. airlines commit to providing you with meal vouchers. Likewise, for significant delays, all 10 major U.S. airlines will rebook you on one of their own flights at no additional cost. Aside from this, the compensation you’re entitled to receive varies from one airline to the next.

For uncontrollable delays, it’s not unheard of to receive some degree of compensation. However, airlines have no legal requirement to provide compensation in these situations, except from the full cash refund. Instead, your success in receiving compensation for uncontrollable delays will be a result of your negotiation power and the airline’s policy.

You should know that if you have an international flight or a final international destination with a domestic connection, you may be in a better position to be compensated for flight delays.

Due to Article 19 of the Montreal Convention, airlines are required to compensate you for expenses and damages incurred due to delays on international flights. However for the Montreal Convention to apply, your travel has to begin and end in countries that are members of either the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention.

European Union (EU) Flight Delay Compensation Rules

Keep in mind that the rules we’ve discussed so far are for the U.S. Flight delay compensation is different in the European Union (EU), where it is standardized under the Air Passengers Rights Regulation (2004). This is also referred to as EU Regulation 261.

EU passenger rights apply to the following situations:

• Flights within the EU that are operated by an EU or a non-EU airline
• Flights that arrive in the EU from outside the EU and are operated by an EU airline
• Flights that depart from the EU to a non-EU country and are operated by an EU or a non-EU airline

In other words, EU passenger rights may apply to you when traveling with British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa or any other airlines operating flights between the U.S. and EU.

It’s also important to know that EU passenger rights apply for flights to and from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion Island, Mayotte, Saint-Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.

You can expect to receive the following distance-based compensation for flight delays caused by non-extraordinary circumstances:

• For flights less than 1,500 kilometers that are delayed for two or more hours, you’ll receive 250 Euros ($270).
• For flights within or outside the E.U. between 1,500 kilometers and 3,500 kilometers that are delayed for three or more hours, you’ll receive 400 Euros ($432).
• For flights greater than 3,500 kilometers that are delayed for four or more hours, you’ll receive 600 Euros ($648).

You can receive cash compensation for flight delays where EU passenger rights apply.

In addition to this cash compensation, you’ll receive meals and refreshments, as well as two telephone calls free of charge. For overnight delays, you’ll be entitled to complimentary accommodation and transport to and from the airport. In the event that a delay should exceed five or more hours, you’ll be entitled to a cash refund equivalent to the full cost of the ticket.

If the airline reroutes you, the compensation you’re entitled to receive will be reduced by 50% if you arrive within:

• Two hours of your original scheduled arrival time, for flights less than 1,500 kilometers.
• Three hours of your original scheduled arrival time, for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 kilometers.
• Four hours of your original scheduled arrival time, for flights greater than 3,500 kilometers.

Keep in mind that you won’t be entitled to compensation if the delay was due to “extraordinary circumstances.” This shares similarities with the distinction between controllable and uncontrollable delays in the U.S. So while EU regulation is much clearer and federally backed regarding delays that are in part due to the actions of the airline, you won’t get any further in the EU than in the U.S. if bad weather or air traffic congestion delays your flight.

Flight Delay Compensation in Canada

For flights departing to, from and within Canada, you may be protected under Canadian passenger rights. These are more generous in the case of uncontrollable delays.

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) distinguishes between large airlines and small airlines when stipulating the requirements for delays and flight cancellations.

Large airlines are those defined as having carried at least two million passengers within the past two calendar years (including all passengers carried through its airline network). All other airlines are considered small airlines, unless they are operating under a commercial agreement for a larger airline, for example, through codeshare.

Even if a delay was outside of the airline’s control, Canadian law still mandates that the airline does what it can to ensure the passenger arrives at their final destination.

For controllable and uncontrollable delays of three or more hours, the airline must rebook you on another flight that leaves within 48 hours of your original scheduled departure time. If the airline can’t find you another flight that departs within the 48-hour window, you have the following entitlements:

• Receive a full refund within 30 days (either as cash or a travel voucher) and a return flight free of charge if your current destination no longer serves a purpose; or
• Make alternative travel arrangements. If your canceled flight was with a large airline, you can book a new flight with any airline that follows the same route reasonably. For small airlines, you can book a new flight either with them or through an interline partner.

For controllable delays greater than three or more hours, you’ll be entitled to the following compensation:

• 400 Canadian Dollars ($297) if you arrive three or more hours late, but less than six hours (large airlines)
• CA$700 ($520) if you arrive six or more hours late, but less than nine hours (large airlines)
• CA$1,000 ($744) if you arrive nine or more hours late (large airlines)
• CA$125 ($93) if you arrive three or more hours late, but less than six hours (small airlines)
• CA$250 ($186) if you arrive six or more hours late, but less than nine hours (small airlines)
• CA$500 ($372) if you arrive more than nine hours late (small airlines)

You’ll be entitled to this compensation for controllable delays regardless of whether you opt for a ticket refund or rerouting.

For controllable delays, airlines are also required to provide meals, refreshments, accommodations and transportation for overnight delays.

Airlines Offering Flight Delay Compensation

Let’s take a look at some of the top U.S. airlines’s policies regarding flight delay compensation.

Delta Flight Delay Compensation

Delta Air Lines will rebook you on one of their own flights or on an interline partner flight at no additional cost in the event of a controllable delay.

Delta also provides its customers meal vouchers for delays of three or more hours, in addition to complimentary hotel accommodation and transport in the event of overnight delays.

What Delta flight delay compensation doesn’t provide are frequent flyer miles or travel vouchers as compensation.

American Airlines Flight Delay Compensation

For controllable overnight delays, American Airlines will provide vouchers to cover the cost of hotel accommodation and transport. They will also provide meal vouchers for delays of three or more hours. In the event that they can’t issue you vouchers, they will reimburse you for the associated costs.

American Airlines will also rebook you on their own or interline partner operated flights in the event of significant delays.

According to the American Airlines flight delay compensation plan, American Airlines offers comparatively generous compensation for uncontrollable delays.

In the event of an uncontrollable delay, American Airlines will attempt to rebook you on one of their own or interline partner operated flights. If you opt not to fly, you can request a refund for the unused portion of your ticket.

While American Airlines won’t cover accommodation or transport costs due to uncontrollable overnight delays, they will aid you in finding accommodation.

Southwest Flight Delay Compensation

The Southwest Airlines Co. Contract of Carriage outlines its compensation commitment to passengers experiencing delays.

In the event of a significant delay, Southwest will attempt to rebook you on another Southwest-operated flight. However, they won’t be able to book you on interline partner flights as Southwest doesn’t belong to any interline agreements.

Southwest will offer meal vouchers for controllable delays of three or more hours, as well as complimentary hotel accommodation and transportation in the event of a controllable overnight delay.

As with the majority of airlines, Southwest flight delay compensation will not provide you much for “Force Majeure” events (i.e. uncontrollable causes for delays).

United Flight Delay Compensation

Much like other airlines, United Airlines will rebook you on one of their own flights or on an interline partner flight at no additional cost in the event of a controllable delay.

For controllable delays of two or more hours, United will pay for meals and refreshments commensurate to the duration of the delay, as well as offer two telephone calls free of charge.

If a controllable delay results in an overnight stay, United will provide accommodation and transportation free of charge.

If your flight has a controllable delay of at least three hours but fewer than eight hours, you’ll be entitled to reimbursement or rerouting. United operates the following policy:

• Receive reimbursement within seven to 20 days, equal to the value of the unused portion of the ticket or the full value of the ticket if the flight no longer serves you any purpose, and a return flight to your original departure destination if necessary; or
• Receive a new flight to your final destination under comparable transport conditions. In the case that you’re rerouted to a different final airport than originally planned, United will cover the transportation costs to the original airport or another nearby destination (subject to agreement).

In the case that your United flight has a controllable delay greater than eight hours, you’ll be entitled to all of the above benefits, in addition to compensation from United, either in the form of travel vouchers or cash.

JetBlue Flight Delay Compensation

JetBlue offers a sliding scale of compensation based on the length of the delay.

Compensation is issued in the form of travel credits and is as follows for “controllable irregularities” (i.e. controllable delays):

• Delays between four hours and four hours and 59 minutes are entitled to a $75 travel credit.
• Delays between five hours and five hours and 59 minutes are entitled to a $100 travel credit.
• Delays between six hours and 11 hours and 59 minutes are entitled to a $150 travel credit.
• Delays greater than 12 hours are entitled to a $200 travel credit.

JetBlue commits to rebooking you on its own flights or partner-operated flights in the event of a controllable delay of two or more hours, at no additional cost.

For controllable delays of two hours or more, JetBlue offers to rebook you on one of its own or partner flights, or refund you.

For controllable delays of three or more hours, JetBlue will provide you with a meal voucher of $12 including taxes and fees. If they can’t provide this, they’ll either order food for you or reimburse you for your own meal costs, not exceeding the equivalent value of a meal voucher.

If controllable delays cause overnight stays, JetBlue will cover the costs of accommodation and transport to and from a local airport hotel. In the event that they can’t provide accommodation, they’ll reimburse you for your own reasonable costs of accommodation and transport if you have valid receipts.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to submit receipts and requests for all reimbursements within 10 days of incurring the expenses.

For controllable onboard ground delays that happen while waiting for departure, JetBlue offers a different scheme of travel credit compensation:

• Delays between three hours and four hours and 59 minutes are entitled to a $100 travel credit.
• Delays between five hours and five hours and 59 minutes are entitled to a $175 travel credit.
• Delays of six or more hours are entitled to a $250 travel credit.

For controllable onboard ground delays that happen on arrival, JetBlue applies the following compensation scheme:

• Delays between one hour and one hour and 59 minutes are entitled to a $50 travel credit.
• Delays between two hours and two hours and 59 minutes are entitled to a $100 travel credit.

JetBlue flight delay compensation is comprehensive compared to that offered by other airlines.

Final Boarding Call for Flight Delay Compensation

Delays and cancellations are bound to happen in air travel.

For controllable delays, passengers may be entitled to compensation. For uncontrollable delays, your rights are murkier, although in certain jurisdictions such as Canada and with specific airlines you may still be entitled to some form of compensation.

Credit cards with travel insurance are also an excellent option for protecting you in situations the airline won’t cover.

When faced with a delay, first ensure that you’re able to get to your final destination. The sooner you find out the cause for your delay, the better a position you’ll be in to request adequate compensation. And remember that it never hurts to ask (politely) for compensation. You may be surprised with what you end up getting.