How much compensation you receive depends on flight distance, delay length, and which country's rules explore

The amount an airline owes you for a delayed flight is not the same everywhere. In the United States, airlines are not required by federal law to pay compensation for delays — they must only rebook you on another flight or refund your ticket if you choose not to fly. In Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, the rules are different: airlines must pay cash compensation if the delay was their responsibility and exceeded a set number of hours.

The compensation amount rises with how far you were flying. A flight delayed more than three hours within Europe might earn you €250 to €600 depending on distance. The same delay on a longer international flight could be worth more. Airlines can avoid paying if they prove the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances — severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security threats — rather than their own operations.

Key Takeaways

  • US airlines have no federal duty to pay compensation for delays, only to rebook or refund you.
  • European, UK, Canadian, and Australian airlines must pay €250 to €600 (or equivalent) for delays over three hours, with amounts rising by flight distance.
  • Compensation is owed only if the airline caused the delay; weather and air traffic control issues usually exempt them.
  • You must request compensation in writing within the timeframe set by the airline's country of origin, typically six months to three years.

US airline delay compensation rules

The US Department of Transportation does not require airlines to pay you money for delays. An airline's only legal obligation is to get you to your destination on another flight at no extra cost, or to refund your ticket if you decide not to travel. If you paid for the ticket yourself and the airline caused the delay, you have no right to cash compensation under federal rules.

Some airlines offer vouchers or travel credits as a goodwill gesture, but these are voluntary. If you missed a connection and had to buy a new ticket, or if you paid for a hotel because of an overnight delay, you can try to claim those costs from the airline, but you will need to prove the airline was at fault and that your expenses were reasonable. Small claims court is an option if the amount is under your state's limit, usually $5,000 to $10,000.

European Union and UK compensation for flight delays

Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (which the UK kept after leaving the European Union), airlines must pay compensation if your flight arrived more than three hours late and the delay was within the airline's control. The amount depends on the flight distance:

  • €250 for flights up to 1,500 km
  • €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km
  • €600 for flights over 3,500 km

The airline does not have to pay if it can prove the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond its control — severe weather, a bird strike, a security threat, or an air traffic control strike. Mechanical failures, staff shortages, and fuel issues do not count as extraordinary circumstances, even if they were unexpected.

You must submit your claim to the airline in writing. The airline has between two and six months (depending on the country) to respond. If it refuses, you can file a complaint with your national aviation authority or take the airline to small claims court.

Canadian and Australian compensation rules

Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations require airlines to pay compensation for delays of three hours or more caused by the airline. The amount is CAD $400 for flights under 2,000 km, CAD $700 for flights between 2,000 and 3,500 km, and CAD $1,000 for longer flights. Airlines do not have to pay if the delay was caused by circumstances outside their control, such as weather or a medical emergency on board.

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has similar rules. Airlines must pay AUD $200 to AUD $1,200 depending on flight distance if the delay was three hours or more and within the airline's control. Extraordinary circumstances — severe weather, natural disasters, or security issues — exempt the airline from paying.

In both countries, you must contact the airline directly with your booking reference and flight details. The airline has a set period (usually 30 to 60 days) to acknowledge your claim and a longer period to investigate and respond.

What counts as the airline's fault versus extraordinary circumstances

Airlines often claim delays were caused by weather or air traffic control, which would exempt them from paying. Courts and regulators have drawn a line: if the airline could have prevented or minimized the delay through reasonable planning, it is the airline's fault. If the delay was truly beyond the airline's control, it is not.

Mechanical failures are almost always the airline's responsibility because the airline is responsible for maintaining its aircraft. A broken engine, a faulty door, or a hydraulic leak means the airline must pay. Crew illness, fuel supply problems, and ground handling errors also fall on the airline. Severe thunderstorms, volcanic ash, and military airspace closures are extraordinary circumstances and exempt the airline.

The line is blurry for some situations. A delay caused by a previous flight running late is usually the airline's fault because it should have scheduled buffer time. A delay caused by a passenger medical emergency is usually extraordinary. If you disagree with the airline's reason, you can challenge it by filing a complaint with your aviation authority or in court.

How to request compensation from an airline

Start by gathering your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and proof of the delay — a screenshot of the flight status or an email from the airline stating the new arrival time. Write to the airline's customer service department in writing (email or registered mail). Include your booking reference, flight number, scheduled and actual arrival times, and a clear statement of what you are asking for.

Address your letter to the airline's complaints department, not the general customer service email. Most airlines list a specific address for compensation claims on their website under "passenger rights" or "complaints". Include a copy of your booking confirmation and any proof of the delay.

The airline will respond within the timeframe set by its country of origin — typically 30 to 90 days for an initial response, and up to six months for a full decision. If the airline refuses or does not respond, you can file a complaint with your national aviation authority (the FAA in the US, the CAA in the UK, Transport Canada, or CASA in Australia) or pursue the claim in small claims court.

When you cannot get compensation directly from the airline

If the airline refuses to pay and you believe it was wrong, you have options. In the EU and UK, you can file a complaint with your national enforcement body — the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK, or the equivalent in your country. These bodies investigate complaints and can order airlines to pay.

You can also use a claims management company, which will pursue the claim on your behalf in exchange for a percentage of the compensation (usually 20 to 30 percent). These companies handle the paperwork and follow-up, but you will receive less money. Some offer a "no win, no fee" arrangement, meaning you pay nothing if the claim fails.

Small claims court is another route if the compensation amount is within your court's limit. You will need to prove the flight was delayed, that the airline was responsible, and that you are may have access to to compensation under the law of the country where the flight departed or arrived. Bring your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any written communication from the airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get compensation if I missed a connection because of a delay?

Yes, if the delay on the first flight was the airline's fault and caused you to miss the connection. You are may have access to to compensation for the original delayed flight under the same rules. If the second flight was booked separately, you may also have a claim for that flight if it was delayed more than three hours on arrival.

What if the airline says the delay was caused by weather?

Weather is usually an extraordinary circumstance that exempts the airline from paying. However, if the airline could have prevented or reduced the delay through reasonable planning — such as scheduling a longer buffer between flights or using a different aircraft — you may still have a claim. Request the airline's evidence of the weather and challenge it if you believe the delay was avoidable.

How long do I have to request compensation after a delayed flight?

The timeframe varies by country. In the EU and UK, you typically have six years from the date of the flight. In Canada, you have two years. In Australia, you have six years. In the US, there is no federal important date, but airlines often have their own policies limiting claims to one or two years. Check the airline's website or contact them directly to confirm the important date.

Can I claim compensation if I was rebooked on a later flight?

Yes. Compensation is based on how late you arrived at your final destination, not on whether you were rebooked. If the airline rebooked you and you arrived more than three hours late, you are may have access to to compensation in countries with delay compensation laws. In the US, being rebooked does not may have access to you to cash compensation, only the cost of the new ticket.

What if I received a voucher instead of cash compensation?

In the EU, UK, Canada, and Australia, you have the right to cash compensation, not a voucher. If the airline offered only a voucher, you can reject it and request cash instead. Vouchers are the airline's choice, not yours. Insist on the compensation amount owed under the law of your country.