Delay length that triggers compensation depends on your flight distance and where you flew from

The length of delay that entitles you to money depends on three things: how far your flight was supposed to go, which country's rules explore, and whether the airline caused the delay or weather did. In the United States, there is no federal compensation requirement for delays — the airline can delay you for 12 hours and owe you nothing. In Europe, compensation kicks in at three hours of delay for flights under 1,500 kilometers, and at different thresholds for longer flights. Canada and Australia have their own rules, also based on distance.

The airline's reason for the delay matters too. If the delay was caused by something the airline controls — a mechanical problem with the plane, crew scheduling, or a decision to overbook — you may have a claim. If the delay was caused by weather, air traffic control, or a security threat, most countries do not require compensation, though the airline still must feed and house you during the wait.

Key Takeaways

  • The United States has no federal delay compensation law, so domestic airlines can delay you indefinitely without paying compensation.
  • European flights delayed three or more hours may may have access to you to €250 to €600 depending on distance, under EU Regulation 261/2004.
  • Canada requires compensation for delays of three or more hours caused by the airline, with payouts from $400 to $2,400 depending on flight length.
  • Australia compensates delays of three or more hours caused by the airline with amounts from $200 to $1,200 AUD depending on distance.
  • Weather, air traffic control, and security issues are usually not the airline's responsibility, even if the delay is long.

United States: no federal compensation for delays

U.S. law does not require airlines to pay you money for a delay, no matter how long. The Department of Transportation sets rules about what airlines must do during a delay — provide food, water, phone calls, and hotel rooms if the delay is overnight — but compensation is not one of them. An airline can delay you for 24 hours and legally owe you nothing.

Some airlines have their own policies that pay compensation for long delays, but these are voluntary and vary by carrier. Check your airline's website or your ticket to see if it has made such a promise. If the delay was caused by overbooking and you were bumped from the flight, different rules explore and compensation is required — but that is a different situation from a delay.

European Union: compensation at three hours or more

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, which applies to flights departing from any EU airport and flights arriving at an EU airport on an EU airline, you are may have access to to compensation if your flight arrives three or more hours late. The amount depends on the flight distance: €250 for flights under 1,500 kilometers, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and €600 for flights over 3,500 kilometers.

The airline does not have to pay if the delay was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" — weather, air traffic control decisions, security threats, or other events outside the airline's control. Mechanical problems with the plane, crew scheduling issues, and overbooking are not extraordinary circumstances, so the airline must pay even if those caused the delay. You must claim within the time limit set by your country's law, which is usually between two and six years depending on where you live.

Canada: compensation for airline-caused delays of three hours or more

Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations require compensation for delays of three or more hours if the airline caused the delay. The payout is $400 for flights under 1,500 kilometers, $700 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and $1,000 for flights over 3,500 kilometers. If the delay was caused by something outside the airline's control — weather, air traffic control, or a security issue — the airline does not have to pay compensation, though it must still provide meals and accommodation.

The airline must offer compensation automatically; you do not have to ask. If the airline does not offer it, you can file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency. The airline has 30 days to respond to your complaint.

Australia: compensation for airline-caused delays of three hours or more

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires compensation for delays of three or more hours caused by the airline. The payout is $200 AUD for flights under 1,000 kilometers, $400 AUD for flights between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometers, and $1,200 AUD for flights over 2,000 kilometers. If the delay was caused by weather, air traffic control, or a security issue, the airline does not have to pay compensation.

You must claim within one year of the flight. The airline may offer compensation directly, or you can lodge a complaint with the Australian Aviation Consumer Advocacy Panel if the airline refuses.

What counts as "caused by the airline" versus weather or other events

Airlines often claim that a delay was caused by weather or air traffic control to avoid paying compensation. Weather is a legitimate reason — if a thunderstorm closes the airport, the airline is not responsible. But the airline must prove the weather actually affected your flight. If the airport was open and other airlines were flying, the airline's claim that weather caused the delay is weaker.

Mechanical problems, crew scheduling, overbooking, and ground handling delays are the airline's responsibility. If the airline says a mechanical problem caused the delay, that is not an extraordinary circumstance — the airline must maintain its planes. If the airline overbooked the flight and had to delay it to find volunteers to give up their seats, that is also the airline's fault.

Air traffic control delays are usually not the airline's fault, though the line between air traffic control and airline scheduling is sometimes blurry. If the airline chose to depart at a time when air traffic was congested, that is different from air traffic control imposing a delay on a flight that was already scheduled.

How to claim compensation and what documents you need

In the EU, Canada, and Australia, you can claim directly from the airline. Write to the airline's customer relations department with your booking reference, flight number, departure and arrival times, and the actual arrival time. Include a copy of your boarding pass or ticket. The airline has a important date to respond — usually 30 to 60 days depending on the country.

If the airline refuses or does not respond, you can file a complaint with the relevant authority: the national enforcement body in your EU country, the Canadian Transportation Agency, or the Australian Aviation Consumer Advocacy Panel. Some countries also allow you to use a flight compensation company, which will claim on your behalf for a percentage of the payout — usually 25 to 30 percent.

Keep all documents: your booking confirmation, boarding pass, receipt for any meals or accommodation you paid for during the delay, and any communication with the airline. If the airline provided meals or accommodation, that does not reduce the compensation you are owed — compensation and care are separate obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

If my flight was delayed by two hours, can I get compensation?

In the EU, Canada, and Australia, no — compensation requires three or more hours of delay. In the United States, there is no federal compensation for any delay. Some airlines have their own policies that pay for shorter delays, so check your airline's website.

Does the airline have to pay me if the delay was caused by bad weather?

No, in most countries weather is considered an extraordinary circumstance outside the airline's control. The airline must still provide meals and accommodation during the delay, but does not have to pay compensation. The airline must prove the weather actually affected your flight.

What if I missed a connection because of the delay?

You are owed compensation based on how late you arrived at your final destination, not based on the missed connection. If you arrived three or more hours late in the EU, Canada, or Australia, you may be owed compensation. If the missed connection was on a different airline, you may also have a claim against that airline if it caused the delay.

How long do I have to claim compensation?

In the EU, the time limit varies by country but is usually two to six years. In Canada, you have two years. In Australia, you have one year. In the United States, there is no federal compensation, so the time limit depends on your airline's policy or whether you can pursue a claim under contract law.

Can I use a flight compensation company to claim for me?

Yes, in the EU, Canada, and Australia you can hire a compensation company to claim on your behalf. They usually take 25 to 30 percent of the payout. Make sure the company is legitimate and registered in your country before you sign an agreement.