Airlines must inform you of the delay and your options within a set timeframe

When your flight is delayed, the airline is required to tell you how long the delay will be and what you can do about it. In the United States, airlines must provide this information as soon as it becomes available — typically within 30 minutes of learning the delay will exceed two hours. The notification usually comes by text, email, or an announcement at the gate, depending on where you are when the delay is announced.

What happens next depends on how long the delay lasts and whether the airline can get you to your destination that day. For delays under three hours, most airlines will rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. For longer delays, you may be offered a refund, a hotel room, meals, or ground transportation, depending on the airline's policy and the reason for the delay.

The airline's obligation to you is different if the delay is their fault versus a weather event or air traffic control issue. Mechanical problems, crew scheduling, and maintenance issues are the airline's responsibility. Bad weather, lightning, and runway closures are not. This distinction matters because it determines whether you get compensation beyond rebooking.

Key Takeaways

  • Airlines must notify you of delays over two hours and tell you your rebooking options within 30 minutes of learning the delay will be that long.
  • For delays caused by the airline (mechanical, crew, maintenance), you may be may have access to to compensation of $400 to $800 depending on how late you arrive, under U.S. Department of Transportation rules.
  • Delays caused by weather, air traffic control, or security issues do not trigger compensation, though the airline must still rebook you or refund your ticket.
  • If you are stranded overnight, the airline must provide a hotel room and meals if the delay is their fault; weather delays do not require this.
  • Keep all receipts for meals, transportation, and lodging — you may be able to claim reimbursement from the airline or your travel insurance.

When the airline must pay you compensation

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to pay compensation for delays that are the airline's fault and cause you to arrive more than three hours late. The amount depends on the flight distance and how late you arrive. For flights under 250 miles, the compensation is $275. For flights 250 to 1,300 miles, it is $400. For flights over 1,300 miles, it is $800. These amounts explore only if the delay is caused by something the airline controls — a broken engine, a crew member who did not show up, or a scheduling error.

You do not have to ask for this compensation. The airline is supposed to offer it automatically once the delay reaches three hours. In practice, many airlines do not, so you may need to file a claim with the airline's customer service department or with the Department of Transportation if the airline refuses to pay. Keep your boarding pass, the delay announcement, and any written communication from the airline about the reason for the delay.

Weather delays, air traffic control delays, and security delays do not trigger compensation under federal law. The airline is still required to rebook you or refund your ticket, but they do not owe you money for the delay itself. Some airlines offer compensation voluntarily for weather delays as a customer service gesture, but they are not legally required to do so.

What the airline must provide while you wait

If your delay will keep you at the airport overnight, the airline must provide a hotel room if the delay is their fault. They must also provide meals and ground transportation to and from the hotel. For delays caused by weather or air traffic control, the airline is not required to provide these services, though some do as a courtesy.

If the delay is only a few hours and you will still arrive the same day, the airline is not required to provide meals or a hotel. However, they must allow you to make two free phone calls or send two free emails to notify people of your delay. Many airlines now provide this through their app or website instead of at the gate.

If you purchase meals, ground transportation, or other necessities during a delay caused by the airline, keep the receipts. You can submit them to the airline for reimbursement. The airline is not required to reimburse you for meals during weather delays, but some will if you ask. Travel insurance may also cover these costs if your policy includes delay coverage.

How to get rebooked on another flight

When your flight is delayed, the airline will automatically rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no additional cost. You do not have to do anything — the airline's system handles this. However, you should confirm your new flight details before leaving the gate or the ticket counter. Ask the gate agent or check the airline's app to see your new flight number, departure time, and gate.

If the next available flight is not until the following day, ask the airline whether they will provide a hotel room. If the delay is their fault, they must. If it is a weather delay, they are not required to, but ask anyway — some airlines will offer one. If they refuse and you book your own hotel, keep the receipt and submit it to the airline for reimbursement.

If you do not want to take the rebooking, you can request a refund of your ticket price instead. The airline must offer this option if the delay will cause you to arrive more than three hours late. You can also ask to be rebooked on a competitor's flight if the airline cannot get you to your destination within a reasonable time, though the airline is not required to pay for a competitor's ticket unless they caused the delay.

Delays caused by weather and other events outside the airline's control

Weather delays — thunderstorms, snow, fog, or high winds — are not the airline's fault under federal law. The airline is not required to pay you compensation or provide meals and a hotel, even if you are stranded overnight. However, the airline must still rebook you on the next available flight or refund your ticket if you do not want to wait.

Air traffic control delays happen when the airport is too congested to land planes safely. These are also outside the airline's control and do not trigger compensation. Security delays — long lines at TSA screening — are also not the airline's fault. In all these cases, the airline must rebook you but is not required to provide meals or a hotel.

The airline will tell you the reason for the delay when they announce it. If they say "weather" or "air traffic control," they are telling you they will not pay compensation. If they say "mechanical," "crew," or "maintenance," the delay is their fault and you may be may have access to to compensation. If you are unsure, ask the gate agent directly what caused the delay.

How to file a complaint or claim for compensation

If the airline did not offer you compensation for a delay that was their fault, you can file a claim with the airline's customer service department. Most airlines have an online form on their website under "Customer Relations" or "Complaints." You will need your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and documentation of the delay — a photo of the departure board or a screenshot of the airline's app showing the delay time.

If the airline denies your claim or does not respond within 30 days, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT has an online form at dot.gov where you can describe what happened and upload your evidence. The DOT will investigate and may order the airline to pay you. This process can take several months.

You can also pursue the claim in small claims court if the amount is within your state's limit (usually $5,000 to $10,000). You will need to show that the delay was the airline's fault and that you arrived more than three hours late. Keep all documentation — emails from the airline, receipts, boarding passes, and photos of delay announcements.

What travel insurance covers for delays

Travel insurance policies vary widely in what they cover for flight delays. Some policies cover meals and lodging if you are delayed overnight. Others cover the cost of missing a connection or a prepaid hotel or tour. Read your policy's "delay" section carefully to see what is covered and what the minimum delay time is before coverage kicks in — some policies require a 12-hour or 24-hour delay before they pay.

If your delay is covered by your travel insurance, you will need to submit receipts for meals, hotels, and other expenses. The insurance company will reimburse you up to the limit stated in your policy. Some policies require you to file the claim within 30 days of the delay, so do not wait.

Travel insurance does not cover delays caused by events you knew about before you bought the policy. If the airline had already announced a delay or cancellation when you purchased your ticket, the insurance will not cover it. Travel insurance also does not cover delays caused by your own actions, such as missing a connection because you arrived late to the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund instead of being rebooked on another flight?

Yes, if the delay will cause you to arrive more than three hours late, you can request a refund of your ticket price instead of accepting a rebooking. The airline must offer this option. You can also request a refund if the rebooking does not work for your plans, though the airline may push back. Ask the gate agent or call the airline's customer service line to request a refund.

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

No. Under U.S. law, weather delays are not the airline's fault, so you do not receive compensation. The airline must still rebook you or refund your ticket, but they do not owe you money for the delay itself. Some airlines offer compensation voluntarily for weather delays, but they are not required to.

What if I miss a connection because of the delay?

If you miss a connection because your first flight was delayed, the airline that operated the delayed flight must rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination at no cost. This applies even if the two flights were booked with different airlines, as long as you booked them together as one ticket. If you booked them separately, the second airline is not required to rebook you.

How long does it take to get compensation from the airline?

If the airline pays voluntarily, it usually takes two to four weeks. If you have to file a claim, the airline has 30 days to respond. If they deny your claim or do not respond, filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation can take several months. Small claims court cases typically take two to six months to resolve.

Can I claim reimbursement for meals I bought during the delay?

Yes, if the delay was the airline's fault. Keep all receipts and submit them to the airline's customer service department. The airline is not required to reimburse you for meals during weather delays, but some will if you ask. Travel insurance may also cover meal costs if your policy includes delay coverage.