What Do Airlines Owe Me If My Flight Is Delayed?

Have you been reading the fine print on your airplane fare? You may be entitled to more than you realize…

We’ve all been there — stuck in an airport terminal, patience thinning, and the clock at a standstill as you wait for a delay to finally end. But it doesn’t have to all be in vain. Depending on your airline, you might get something back for a delay.

In the United States, the rules are kinda light regarding delay compensation. Per the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), there is no federal law that requires airlines to pay you cash if your flight is delayed.

The previous presidential administration proposed a change that would require compensation of $200 to $775 for significant delays (3-plus hours) due to airline fault, but that proposal was scrapped by the current administration.

Depending on the airline and its policy,  delays might only be compensated with some sort of flight voucher.

Additionally, if you’re stuck on the tarmac, there are safety rules for time limits within 3 hours domestically or 4 hours internationally, food, water, and bathrooms…but you’re still not eligible for cash compensation for the delay itself.

With that said, if your flight is canceled or significantly changed, airlines are required to refund your ticket should you choose to no longer travel. Many airlines will offer things like meal vouchers, hotel rooms, or rebooking options as a customer service policy.

Of note, some travel credit cards and other travel programs will protect your fare and cover delay costs (such as meals and other necessary expenditures), so you should read your benefits if you might have these protections.

Europe’s delay rules are much more lenient. If your flight is delayed 3 hours or more at arrival, and the airline is at fault, you may be owed: anywhere between €250 to €600. Not every delay qualifies, and the airline is exempt if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances like weather, airport closures, political unrest, or similar “beyond reasonable control” issues, per the European Union.

Even if you don’t qualify for cash in the EU, airlines are still required to provide meals and drinks during long delays, two free phone calls/emails or internet access, hotel lodging, and transportation if an overnight stay is necessary. These rules apply even if the delay is due to weather or other uncontrollable causes.

Other countries, like Canada, have their own protections, so it’s important to read the fine print before your trip to see what you might be owed.

Each airline carries its own airfare policies, so it’s important to look into those before spending your hard-earned cash.

We’ll continue to keep up-to-date on all the latest travel trends and news, so keep it posted right here at AllEars to stay in the know.

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What are the best (and worst) airline delay experiences you’ve ever had? Let us know in the comments!

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