How to learn about your flight is cancelled
The fastest way to know if your flight is cancelled is to check directly with your airline through their website or app. Log in with your confirmation number and last name, or search your booking by flight number. Most airlines post cancellations there before they send email or text alerts, so you may see it first on their site.
If you booked through a travel website like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights, log into that account too — they often show cancellation status, though the airline's own system is more reliable. Call your airline's customer service line if you cannot access the website or app; they can tell you the status when ready and discuss your options while you have them on the phone.
Check the airline's social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook) if their phone lines are overwhelmed. During major disruptions, airlines post real-time updates there and sometimes respond to direct messages faster than their call centers.
Key Takeaways
- Your airline's website or app shows cancellations before most other notification methods, so check there first with your confirmation number.
- Airlines must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost, or refund your ticket price if you prefer not to fly.
- If your cancellation is not weather-related or due to a safety issue, you may be may have access to to compensation under U.S. Department of Transportation rules.
- Keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any receipts for meals or hotels you paid for while stranded, as you may need them to request reimbursement.
What airlines must do when they cancel your flight
U.S. airlines are required by the Department of Transportation to rebook you on their next flight to your destination at no extra charge. This applies whether the cancellation is the airline's fault or caused by weather. If no flight gets you there the same day, the airline must also cover a hotel room and meals while you wait.
You have the right to refuse the rebooking and receive a full refund of your ticket price instead. Some airlines will also refund ancillary fees (baggage, seat selection, etc.) if you choose the refund; others will not, so ask before you decide. If you paid for the ticket with a credit card, you can also dispute the charge with your card issuer if the airline refuses to refund.
The airline is not required to pay you cash compensation for a cancellation caused by weather, mechanical issues discovered during safety checks, or air traffic control decisions. However, if the cancellation resulted from the airline's own scheduling problem or staffing shortage, you may be may have access to to compensation of $400 to $800 depending on how long your delay is.
When you might receive compensation money
The Department of Transportation requires airlines to pay you compensation if they cancel your flight and the reason is within their control — for example, a crew scheduling error, a maintenance problem they should have caught earlier, or overbooking. The amount depends on how late you arrive at your final destination: $400 if you arrive one to two hours late, or $800 if you arrive more than two hours late.
Weather cancellations, mechanical issues found during a safety inspection, and air traffic control delays are considered outside the airline's control, so no compensation is owed in those cases. The airline must still rebook you or refund your ticket, but they do not have to pay additional money.
To request compensation, contact the airline in writing (email or certified mail) within 30 days of the cancellation. Include your booking confirmation, the cancellation reason if you know it, and your arrival time at your final destination. Keep copies of everything you send. If the airline denies your claim, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation or pursue the claim in small claims court.
Expenses the airline may cover
If your flight is cancelled and you cannot reach your destination the same day, the airline must pay for a hotel room for the night. They must also cover reasonable meal expenses while you wait. Some airlines have a meal voucher system; others reimburse you if you keep your receipts. Ask the airline what their policy is before you spend money.
If you need to rent a car, buy a bus or train ticket, or pay for ground transportation to reach your destination, the airline is not required to cover those costs unless they explicitly agreed to do so. However, if the airline rebooked you on a flight that departs from a different airport, they must cover transportation between the two airports.
Expenses for childcare, pet boarding, or lost wages are not covered by the airline. If you incurred those costs because of the cancellation, you can try to recover them through small claims court or by disputing the charge with your credit card company, but the airline has no legal obligation to pay.
What to do if you are stranded overnight
As soon as you learn your flight is cancelled and you will not reach your destination today, ask the airline for a hotel voucher. Do not book a room yourself and expect reimbursement — the airline may refuse to pay if you chose a hotel they did not arrange. If the airline cannot provide a voucher when ready, ask for the name and phone number of the hotel they use for stranded passengers, then call and book directly.
Keep all receipts: hotel bill, meal receipts, parking, ground transportation. Take photos of your receipts with your phone if the paper is hard to read. Write down the date, time, and name of any airline employee who helped you, and note what they said about coverage.
If you paid for the hotel or meals yourself because the airline was unavailable or refused, send those receipts to the airline's customer service department along with a written request for reimbursement. Include your booking confirmation number, the cancellation date, and a brief explanation of what happened. Follow up in writing if you do not hear back within two weeks.
How to file a complaint if the airline refuses to help
If the airline denies your refund, compensation, or reimbursement claim, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. You can submit a complaint online at dot.gov or by mail. Include your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, copies of any correspondence with the airline, and receipts for expenses you paid.
The Department of Transportation does not have the power to force an airline to pay you, but they track complaints and can investigate patterns of violations. A complaint on record may help if you pursue the claim in small claims court later.
You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company if you paid with a card. The card issuer can reverse the charge if you can show the airline refused to refund or rebook you. This process usually takes 30 to 60 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the airline charge me to rebook on a different flight?
No. If your flight is cancelled, the airline must rebook you on their next available flight to your destination at no extra charge. If they rebook you on a flight that costs more, you do not pay the difference. If they rebook you on a cheaper flight, you do not receive a refund of the difference.
What if the airline cancels my flight and I miss a connection?
If the airline cancels your first flight and you miss your connection as a result, the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination. They must rebook you on the next available flight, even if it is on a different airline, and cover hotel and meals if you cannot arrive the same day.
Do I have to accept the airline's rebooking, or can I find my own flight?
You can refuse the airline's rebooking and request a refund instead. You cannot force the airline to pay for a flight you book yourself. If you want to fly with a different airline, you must either accept the refund and buy a new ticket, or ask the airline if they will book you on a competitor's flight (they sometimes do, but are not required to).
How long do I have to request a refund after a cancellation?
There is no strict important date, but the sooner you request it, the sooner you will receive it. Most airlines process refunds within 7 to 30 days if you request them when ready. If you wait months, the airline may claim they cannot locate your booking or may process it more slowly.
What if the airline cancels my flight and I already paid for a hotel at my destination?
The airline is not responsible for hotel costs at your destination. You can try to recover that money by disputing the charge with your credit card company or by filing a claim in small claims court, but the airline has no legal obligation to reimburse you. Contact your hotel directly to see if they will refund or reschedule your reservation.