Check your airline's website or app first
The fastest way to confirm a delay is to go directly to your airline's website or mobile app and enter your confirmation number and last name. Most airlines show real-time flight status there before they send notifications. You will see whether your flight is on time, delayed, or cancelled, and if delayed, how many minutes behind schedule it is running.
If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, log into that site too — but the airline's own system is more current. The airline controls the actual flight information, so their app or website is your most reliable source.
Check this 24 hours before departure and again 2 to 3 hours before your scheduled takeoff time. Delays often become official only a few hours out, when the airline knows whether the incoming aircraft will arrive on time or whether a crew is running late.
Key Takeaways
- Your airline's website or app shows the most current delay information and is faster than calling or waiting for a text alert.
- Delays are often not announced until 2 to 3 hours before departure, so checking earlier may show on-time status even if a delay is coming.
- The FAA's Flight Delay Information System and FlightAware show delays across all airlines and can confirm whether the problem is weather, congestion, or mechanical.
- If your flight is delayed more than 3 hours, you may be may have access to to compensation under Department of Transportation rules, depending on the reason and your airline.
- Text and email alerts from your airline are convenient but slower than checking the app yourself, so do not rely on them alone.
Use the FAA Flight Delay Information System for system-wide delays
If your airline's app is not showing a delay but you suspect one is coming, check the FAA Flight Delay Information System at faa.gov/air_traffic/delays. This tool shows whether there are delays at your departure airport, arrival airport, or en route due to weather, congestion, or equipment problems. It updates every 15 minutes.
This is useful when you hear about bad weather in your region and want to know whether it is affecting flights. The FAA system tells you whether delays are happening airport-wide (which means your airline will likely announce one soon) or whether your specific flight might still leave on time.
Check FlightAware for real-time tracking and delay reasons
FlightAware (flightaware.com) is a free tracking site that shows your flight's real-time position, speed, and altitude once it takes off. Before departure, it displays the scheduled and estimated departure times, and it often shows the reason for a delay — mechanical issue, crew delay, weather, air traffic control, or other causes.
You can search by flight number or by entering your departure and arrival airports and airline. FlightAware also shows whether other flights on the same route are delayed, which helps you understand whether the problem is specific to your flight or airport-wide.
Call your airline directly if the app is unclear
If your airline's app shows a delay but does not explain why, or if you need to know whether you can rebook on an earlier flight, call the airline's customer service line. The number is on your confirmation email and on the airline's website. Have your confirmation number ready.
Calling is also the right move if you need to know about rebooking options, whether the airline will provide a meal or hotel if the delay is long, or what compensation you may be may have access to to. The app shows status; the phone line handles changes and accommodations.
Understand what compensation you may receive
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to compensate passengers for delays caused by the airline's own actions — mechanical problems, crew scheduling, maintenance — but not for delays caused by weather, security issues, or air traffic control decisions. Compensation ranges from $250 to $750 depending on how late you arrive at your destination, and it applies only to flights departing from or arriving in the United States.
If your flight is delayed more than 3 hours at arrival, document the delay (take a screenshot of the app or your boarding pass with the new arrival time) and keep your receipt for any meals or hotels you buy. You will need these to file a claim with the airline after your trip.
The airline is not required to tell you about compensation — you have to request it. Most airlines have a customer relations form on their website where you can submit your claim. Include your confirmation number, the original and actual arrival times, and any receipts for expenses the airline did not cover.
Set up alerts so you do not miss notifications
Enable push notifications on your airline's app so you receive alerts when your flight status changes. Text alerts are also available from most airlines — you can opt in through the app or the airline's website. These alerts are convenient, but they arrive after you can see the status yourself in the app, so do not rely on them alone.
If you are traveling with a companion, have one person monitor the app and the other monitor email or text alerts. That way you catch a delay announcement from either direction.
What to do if your flight is cancelled instead of delayed
If your flight is cancelled, your airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost, or refund your ticket price. You can also ask to be rebooked on a competitor's flight if your airline cannot get you there within a reasonable time — usually the same day or the next morning.
Cancellations are handled through the airline's app or by calling customer service. Do this as soon as you see the cancellation, because seats on alternate flights fill quickly. If the airline cannot rebook you until the next day and you need a hotel, ask whether the airline will cover it — they are required to do so for cancellations within their control, but not for weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before my flight should I check for delays?
Check 24 hours before departure to see if there are any known issues, then check again 2 to 3 hours before your scheduled takeoff. Most delays are announced in that final window. If you are at the airport, check the airline's app or the airport's flight information display every 30 minutes.
Will my airline text me if my flight is delayed?
Most airlines offer text alerts if you opt in, but these arrive after you can see the status in the app. Text alerts are a backup, not your primary source. Check the app yourself rather than waiting for a notification.
What if the delay is so long I miss a connection?
If your delay causes you to miss a connecting flight, the airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight to your final destination at no cost. Tell the airline staff at your connection airport or call the airline when ready. If you must stay overnight, ask whether the airline will cover the hotel.
Can I get a refund instead of being rebooked?
Yes. If your flight is cancelled or delayed more than 3 hours, you can request a refund of your ticket price instead of rebooking. Contact the airline's customer service or submit a refund request through the app. Refunds typically process within 7 to 10 business days.
Do I get compensation if weather caused the delay?
No. Weather delays are not the airline's fault under Department of Transportation rules, so compensation is not required. However, the airline must still rebook you on the next available flight or refund your ticket if you prefer not to travel.