A delayed flight leaves travelers asking the same questions: “Am I owed money?” “A hotel?” “A meal?” In the United States the answers are more limited than many people expect. The federal government sets a handful of firm rules, mainly about refunds, and leaves much else to each airline’s own commitments. Knowing which is which helps you ask for the right thing.
What the airline must refund
The clearest right concerns refunds. Under Department of Transportation rules, if an airline cancels a flight, or significantly changes it, and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund of your ticket, not just a voucher or credit. This applies even if the ticket was nonrefundable.
A rule that took effect in October 2024 requires refunds to be automatic: airlines and ticket agents must issue them without the passenger having to ask, to the original form of payment. The department set deadlines of seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. The rule also defines a “significant change,” such as a change in departure or arrival time of several hours, a change of airport or a downgrade in the class of service, and it covers fees for checked bags that are not delivered on time. Rules can change with each administration, so check the Department of Transportation’s current guidance.
You may accept a voucher or rebooking if you prefer, but you do not have to.
Does the airline owe cash for a delay?
Generally no. For domestic flights, there is no federal requirement that an airline pay passengers compensation for delays or cancellations that are within its control. The Transportation Department proposed a rule in 2024 that would have required cash payments for long delays, but it was later withdrawn, so as of the latest reports no such federal rule exists. Some airlines offer compensation voluntarily, and policies differ.
Meals and hotels are mostly up to the airline
Federal law does not require airlines to provide meals, hotel rooms or ground transportation when they delay or cancel flights. The Department of Transportation does maintain an Airline Customer Service Dashboard that shows what each major airline has committed to do for disruptions it controls, such as providing meals, hotels or rebooking on another carrier. Those commitments are voluntary but publicly tracked. A contract of carriage, the legal document that governs your ticket, also spells out what the airline promises, and it is usually posted on the airline’s website.
If the cause was outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather or air traffic control restrictions, airlines are less likely to offer amenities.
Stuck on the tarmac
There is a firm rule here. For domestic flights, U.S. airlines may not keep passengers on the tarmac for more than three hours without giving them the chance to get off the plane, and for international flights the limit is four hours, with exceptions for safety or security reasons or air traffic control. After two hours, airlines must provide food and water and keep the lavatories working. Airlines that violate the rule can face fines.
Oversold flights and bumping
When more passengers show up than seats exist and the airline needs volunteers to give up their seats, it can offer compensation to volunteers. If it has to bump people involuntarily, federal rules require compensation based on how long the passenger is delayed in reaching the destination, calculated as a multiple of the one-way fare up to a set maximum. The airline must also give you a written statement of your rights. Details and dollar limits are on the Department of Transportation’s website, and they are adjusted from time to time.
What changes on international trips
Different rules may apply, and they can be more generous. Regulations in the European Union and the United Kingdom set fixed compensation for some delays and cancellations on flights departing from their territory or operated by their airlines arriving there, with exceptions for extraordinary circumstances. The Montreal Convention, a treaty, governs liability on many international flights, including for lost baggage and certain delay damages. Which rules apply depends on the route and the carrier.
What should you do when it happens?
- Check the airline’s app or website for rebooking options. It is often faster than waiting in line.
- Ask for what you want: a specific rebooking, a refund or amenities. Politeness helps, and gate agents have limited discretion.
- Keep records. Save receipts for meals, lodging and transportation, and take screenshots of delay notices.
- Know your fare and card benefits. Some credit cards and travel insurance policies include trip delay or interruption coverage, with conditions. Check what yours say before you rely on it.
- File a complaint if needed. The Department of Transportation accepts consumer complaints online, and airlines are required to respond.
Disruptions can also be tied to other trip steps, such as identification at security; the requirements are explained in REAL ID and air travel. And a long delay or a time-zone leap can leave you tired on arrival, so how to handle jet lag may be useful.
Airline policies and federal rules shift, so confirm the current terms with your airline and the Department of Transportation.
Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation; Federal Aviation Administration; European Commission; International Civil Aviation Organization; Federal Register
