What You Can Claim for a Delayed Flight

Whether you get money back for a delayed flight depends on which airline you flew, where you flew from, and how long the delay lasted. The rules are different in the United States, Europe, and Canada — and they change based on the reason for the delay.

In the United States, airlines are not required by federal law to pay you cash for delays. The Department of Transportation requires airlines to get you to your destination or refund your ticket, but they do not have to pay extra compensation. Some airlines offer vouchers or meal reimbursement at their own discretion, but this is voluntary.

In Europe, the rules are much stricter. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can claim between €250 and €600 per person if your flight was delayed more than three hours at arrival — but only if the airline was responsible. Bad weather, air traffic control strikes, and security threats are considered "extraordinary circumstances" and usually block your claim.

In Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency requires airlines to pay compensation for delays of three hours or more caused by the airline's own actions. The amount ranges from CAD $125 to CAD $2,400 depending on flight distance.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. airlines must rebook you or refund your ticket but do not have to pay extra compensation for delays, though some offer vouchers or meal costs voluntarily.
  • European flights delayed three hours or more may have access to for €250 to €600 per person under EU law, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control.
  • Canadian airlines must pay CAD $125 to CAD $2,400 for delays of three hours or more caused by the airline, not by weather or other external factors.
  • You will need your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and proof of the delay time to file a claim with the airline or a third-party claims service.

How to File a Refund Claim with Your Airline

Start by contacting the airline directly. Most airlines have a customer service form on their website where you can submit a delay claim. You will need your booking reference number, flight number, scheduled departure time, and actual arrival time.

Send your claim in writing — email is best because you have a record. Include a copy of your boarding pass and booking confirmation. If the airline offered you a meal voucher or hotel room, mention that in your claim and explain whether you paid out of pocket for anything the airline should have covered.

Airlines typically respond within four to eight weeks. If they deny your claim, they must explain why. If you believe the denial is wrong — for example, if they say the delay was weather-related but you have evidence the airline caused it — you can escalate the claim or file a complaint with your country's aviation authority.

When the Airline Will Likely Deny Your Claim

Airlines will reject your claim if the delay was caused by circumstances outside their control. This includes severe weather, volcanic ash, air traffic control strikes, security threats, bird strikes, or mechanical problems that could not have been prevented with reasonable maintenance.

The airline bears the burden of proving the delay was extraordinary. If they straightforward say "bad weather" without detail, you can push back and ask for specifics — the weather report from that day, the airport's official statement, or documentation from air traffic control. Some claims services and aviation lawyers specialize in challenging these denials.

In the U.S., even if you lose a compensation claim, you may still be may have access to to a refund of your ticket price if the airline did not get you to your destination within a reasonable time. This is separate from compensation for the delay itself.

Using a Third-Party Claims Service

If you do not want to handle the claim yourself, you can use a third-party flight compensation service. These companies file claims on your behalf and take a percentage of any money you recover — usually 25 to 30 percent. They handle the paperwork and follow up with the airline.

These services are most useful for European claims, where the compensation amounts are large enough to make the fee worthwhile. For U.S. delays, the potential payout is usually smaller, so the fee may not be worth it unless you are claiming for multiple passengers.

Before using a service, check whether they operate in your country and whether the airline you flew is on their list of carriers they work with. Read the fine print about what happens if the claim is denied — some services charge a flat fee regardless of outcome, while others only take a cut if you win.

What to Do If You Paid for Expenses During the Delay

If the airline did not provide a meal, hotel, or ground transportation during a long delay, you may be able to recover those costs. Keep all receipts. In Europe, airlines must reimburse reasonable expenses like meals, phone calls, and accommodation if the delay was their fault.

In the U.S., there is no legal requirement, but some airlines will reimburse documented expenses if you ask. Submit your receipts along with your claim and explain why each expense was necessary. For example, if your flight was delayed overnight and the airline did not offer a hotel, a hotel receipt is a reasonable expense to claim.

Do not claim expenses that go beyond what was necessary. A meal at a fast-food restaurant is reasonable; a meal at an expensive restaurant is not. A budget hotel is reasonable; a luxury hotel is not. Airlines will reject claims they see as inflated.

Refunds Versus Compensation — What Is the Difference

A refund is your money back for the ticket you bought. You get this if the airline cancels your flight, if you miss a connection because of the airline's fault, or if you choose not to fly after a very long delay. A refund returns you to the position you were in before you bought the ticket.

A compensation is extra money the airline pays you for the inconvenience and disruption of the delay. This is separate from the refund. In Europe, you can receive both — your ticket refunded and compensation paid. In the U.S., you typically get one or the other, not both.

If you are unsure whether you are owed a refund, a compensation payment, or both, check the rules for the country where your flight departed. The airline's customer service team can tell you what you are may have access to to, though they may not volunteer the information if you do not ask.

How Long You Have to File a Claim

The time limit to file a claim varies by location. In Europe, you generally have three to six years from the date of the flight, depending on the country. In the U.S., there is no federal time limit, but airlines may have their own internal important date — usually one to two years. In Canada, you have two years from the date of the flight.

Do not wait. File your claim as soon as possible after the delay. Airlines are more likely to respond quickly if the flight is recent, and you will have a clearer memory of what happened. If you use a third-party service, they will handle the timing, but you should still contact them within a few months of the delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if my flight was delayed but I still made my connection?

If you arrived at your final destination within a reasonable time, you likely cannot claim compensation. However, if the delay caused you to miss a connection and the airline did not rebook you on the next available flight, you may have a claim. The key is whether the airline's actions caused you actual harm.

What if the airline offered me a voucher instead of cash?

In the U.S., accepting a voucher does not prevent you from asking for cash later, though the airline may argue you already accepted compensation. In Europe, you have the right to cash compensation, not just a voucher. If you accepted a voucher, you can still file a claim for the difference between the voucher value and what you are legally owed.

Do I need a lawyer to file a delay claim?

You do not need a lawyer for most claims. Airlines have standard processes for handling delay claims, and you can file one yourself by contacting their customer service. A lawyer or claims service is useful only if the airline denies your claim and you want to pursue it further, or if you are claiming for many passengers at once.

Can I claim if I booked through a travel agent or third-party website?

Yes. The airline is responsible for the flight, not the booking agent. File your claim directly with the airline using your booking confirmation number. If the airline refuses to respond, you can also contact the travel agent or booking website and ask them to help escalate the claim.

What if the airline says the delay was caused by a mechanical problem?

Mechanical problems are usually the airline's responsibility, not an extraordinary circumstance. Airlines are expected to maintain their aircraft properly. If they claim a mechanical issue caused the delay, ask for documentation showing it was unforeseeable. If they cannot provide that, you likely have a valid claim.