Your rights depend on where your flight departs, how long the delay is, and why it happened

Flight delay compensation is not automatic everywhere. The United States, European Union, and Canada each have different rules about what airlines must pay you, and those rules change based on the delay length and the reason. A three-hour delay in the EU triggers compensation; the same delay in the US does not. A delay caused by weather may exempt the airline from paying you anything, while a delay caused by a maintenance problem usually does not.

The first step is to know which rules explore to your flight. If you departed from or arrived in the European Union, EU Regulation 261/2004 governs your claim. If you flew within the United States or between the US and another country, US Department of Transportation rules explore. If you flew within Canada or between Canada and another country, the Canadian Transportation Agency rules explore. Some countries have their own systems as well.

Key Takeaways

  • The EU requires airlines to pay €250 to €600 in compensation for delays of three hours or more, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
  • The US Department of Transportation requires airlines to rebook you on the next available flight at no cost and refund your ticket if you no longer want to travel, but does not require cash compensation for delays.
  • Canada's rules fall between the US and EU: airlines must rebook you and provide meals and communication, and compensation of CAD $400 to $2,400 applies to delays of three hours or more caused by airline negligence.
  • You must submit your claim to the airline first, usually within a set time window that varies by country, and keep your boarding pass, receipt, and proof of the delay.
  • If the airline refuses your claim, you can escalate to your country's aviation authority or use a third-party claims service, though the latter takes a percentage of any payout.

EU compensation: what the airline owes you

If your flight departed from an EU airport or arrived at an EU airport on an EU-registered airline, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies. The airline must pay you cash compensation based on the flight distance and the delay length. For a delay of three hours or more at your final destination, the compensation is €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km.

The airline does not have to pay if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances — severe weather, air traffic control strikes, security threats, or airport infrastructure failures. The airline must prove the circumstance was extraordinary and that it could not have been prevented even with reasonable care. A mechanical failure or staff shortage does not count as extraordinary.

Beyond compensation, the airline must also cover your meals, refreshments, and two phone calls or emails while you wait. If the delay is overnight, the airline must provide hotel accommodation and transport to and from the airport. These are separate from the cash compensation and are owed regardless of the cause.

US rules: rebooking and refunds, but no automatic cash payment

The US Department of Transportation does not require airlines to pay you cash for delays. Instead, the airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra charge. If no flight is available that day, the airline must rebook you on the next day's first available flight. If you decide you no longer want to travel, the airline must refund your ticket in full.

The airline is not required to provide meals, hotel rooms, or other expenses while you wait, unless the delay is caused by the airline's own actions — for example, if the airline overbooked the flight and bumped you. In that case, the airline owes you compensation of $400 to $1,550 depending on the ticket price and delay length, plus rebooking and a refund if you prefer.

The airline must also provide you with written notice of your rights when a delay occurs. If the airline fails to rebook you or refuses to refund your ticket, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division.

Canada's rules: rebooking, meals, and compensation for airline negligence

Canada's rules, set by the Canadian Transportation Agency, require airlines to rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. If no flight is available that day, the airline must provide a hotel room and meals. The airline must also provide access to communication — a phone call, email, or text message.

Cash compensation applies if the delay is three hours or more at your final destination and was caused by something within the airline's control — maintenance problems, crew issues, or scheduling errors. The compensation is CAD $400 for flights under 1,500 km, CAD $700 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and CAD $2,400 for flights over 3,500 km. If the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control, the airline does not owe compensation, but still must rebook you and cover meals.

You must submit your claim to the airline within two years of the delay. The airline has 30 days to respond. If the airline refuses, you can escalate to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

How to file a claim with the airline

Contact the airline directly first. Most airlines have a customer service form on their website where you can submit a delay claim. You will need your booking reference, flight number, date of travel, and boarding pass. Include a description of the delay and the length of time you were delayed at your final destination.

Keep copies of everything: your boarding pass, receipt, any communication from the airline about the delay, and proof of any expenses you paid out of pocket (hotel, meals, transportation). The airline will ask for these documents as part of their investigation.

The airline's response time varies by country. In the EU, the airline must respond within six weeks. In Canada, the airline has 30 days. In the US, there is no legal important date, but most airlines respond within 4 to 8 weeks. If the airline denies your claim or does not respond, you can escalate to your country's aviation authority or use a third-party claims service.

When to use a third-party claims service

Third-party claims services handle the paperwork and negotiation with the airline on your behalf. They typically take 25 to 50 percent of any payout you receive. These services are most useful if you are owed a large amount (over €400 or CAD $700) or if the airline has already denied your claim and you want to pursue it further without doing the work yourself.

Be aware that these services cannot may provide a payout. The airline can still refuse to pay, and you would then need to pursue the claim through your country's aviation authority or small claims court. Some services offer a money-back may provide if they do not win your claim, but read the fine print — they may exclude certain types of delays or require you to pay their fee upfront.

If you use a third-party service, make sure it is registered with your country's aviation authority. In the EU, check the list maintained by each member state's national enforcement body. In Canada, verify the service is listed with the Canadian Transportation Agency. In the US, there is no official registry, but the Better Business Bureau can tell you if a service has complaints filed against it.

Extraordinary circumstances and when the airline does not have to pay

Airlines are not required to pay compensation if the delay was caused by circumstances beyond their control. The definition varies slightly by country, but generally includes severe weather, air traffic control strikes, security threats, airport infrastructure failures, and wildlife hazards.

The key word is extraordinary. A thunderstorm counts; light rain does not. A strike by air traffic controllers counts; a strike by the airline's own staff does not. A bird strike counts; a mechanical failure that could have been caught during routine maintenance does not. The airline must prove the circumstance was truly extraordinary and that it could not have been prevented or avoided.

If the airline claims extraordinary circumstances, ask for documentation. The airline should provide a written explanation with details about what happened and why it prevented the flight from departing on time. If the explanation is vague or does not match the definition of extraordinary circumstances in your country's rules, you can challenge it with your aviation authority.

What to do if the airline refuses your claim

If the airline denies your claim or does not respond within the required time, you have several options. First, file a complaint with your country's aviation authority. In the EU, contact your national enforcement body — each member state has one. In Canada, file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency. In the US, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division.

The aviation authority will investigate the airline's decision and may order the airline to pay if it finds the airline violated the rules. This process is free and does not require a lawyer. The timeline varies — some authorities respond within a few months, others take a year or longer.

If you want faster resolution, you can also pursue the claim through small claims court in your country. Small claims court has lower filing fees and simpler procedures than regular court, and you do not need a lawyer. The airline may settle rather than appear in court. Check your local court's website for the filing important date — it is usually one to three years from the date of the delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get compensation if the delay was caused by bad weather?

Not in most cases. Bad weather is considered an extraordinary circumstance in the EU, Canada, and the US, which means the airline does not have to pay you cash compensation. However, the airline still must rebook you on the next available flight and, in the EU and Canada, provide meals and accommodation while you wait. In the US, meals and accommodation are only required if the delay was caused by the airline's own actions.

What if I missed a connecting flight because of the delay?

If you booked both flights as a single ticket, the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination. The airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. If the delay caused you to miss a connection booked separately, you may be able to claim compensation for the delay on the first flight, but the airline is not responsible for the missed connection.

Can I claim compensation if I already received a voucher or refund?

Yes. A voucher or refund for your ticket is separate from delay compensation. In the EU and Canada, you are may have access to to both. In the US, you are may have access to to a refund if you no longer want to travel, but there is no additional cash compensation for the delay itself. Check your country's rules to see what you are owed.

How long do I have to file a claim?

The important date varies by country. In the EU, you typically have three to six years depending on the member state. In Canada, you have two years. In the US, there is no federal important date, but you should file as soon as possible because airlines may not have records of very old delays. Check your country's aviation authority website for the exact important date.

What if the airline says the delay was my fault?

The airline cannot deny compensation because of something you did. Compensation is based on the airline's actions and the circumstances of the delay, not on passenger behavior. If the airline claims you caused the delay, ask for written proof. If the explanation does not make sense, file a complaint with your aviation authority.