What compensation you can receive for a delayed flight

You can receive cash compensation from an airline for a delay only if the delay was the airline's fault and met specific length requirements. The amount depends on how long you were delayed and how far you were flying. In the United States, there is no federal law requiring airlines to pay you for delays — compensation rules vary by country and by the airline's own policies.

The European Union has the strictest rules: if your flight was delayed more than three hours at arrival, the airline must pay between €250 and €600 depending on flight distance, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control problems. Canada, Australia, and several other countries have similar mandatory compensation schemes. The United States does not.

In the US, airlines are required to get you to your destination on another flight at no extra cost, provide meals and hotel if the delay is overnight, and refund your ticket if you no longer want to fly. They are not required to pay you cash for the delay itself unless your ticket was purchased with a credit card that includes delay protection, or unless the airline's own policy promises compensation.

Key Takeaways

  • The European Union, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom have laws requiring airlines to pay cash compensation for delays over three hours; the United States does not.
  • In the US, airlines must rebook you free, provide meals and lodging for overnight delays, and refund your ticket, but are not required to pay cash compensation.
  • Some credit cards and travel insurance policies include delay compensation; check your card's benefits guide or your policy documents to see what is covered.
  • If you flew within the EU or to an EU airport, you can file a claim with the airline or use a third-party claim service, though the airline may argue the delay was extraordinary.
  • Airlines often deny claims by citing weather, mechanical issues, or air traffic control problems; you will need documentation to dispute their decision.

How the European Union compensation system works

If your flight departed from or arrived in an EU country, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004, which requires airlines to pay compensation for delays of three hours or more. The payment is €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometers, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and €600 for flights over 3,500 kilometers. This applies even if you booked through a third-party website or travel agent.

The airline can refuse to pay if it claims the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond its control. This includes severe weather, air traffic control strikes, security threats, and bird strikes. Mechanical failures, crew shortages, and overbooking do not count as extraordinary circumstances, even though airlines often claim they do. If the airline denies your claim, you can file a complaint with your country's aviation authority or use a third-party claim service.

You do not need to prove you suffered a loss to receive compensation. The payment is automatic if the delay was three hours or more and the airline cannot prove an extraordinary circumstance caused it. You can claim compensation up to six years after the flight in most EU countries, though the time limit varies.

Compensation rules in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom

Canada requires airlines to pay compensation for delays of three hours or more caused by something within the airline's control. The amount ranges from CAD $400 to CAD $2,400 depending on flight distance. Extraordinary circumstances like weather, security threats, and medical emergencies are exempt, but mechanical failures are not.

Australia's rules are similar: compensation of AUD $200 to AUD $1,200 applies for delays over three hours, unless the airline can prove the delay was caused by something outside its control. The UK follows EU rules for flights departing from or arriving in the UK.

In all three countries, you can file a claim directly with the airline or use a third-party claim service. The airline has a set time to respond — usually 28 to 56 days. If the airline refuses, you can escalate to the country's aviation regulator or take the airline to small claims court.

What the United States requires instead of cash compensation

US airlines are not required by federal law to pay cash for delays. Instead, they must provide what is called "denied boarding compensation" if you are bumped from an overbooked flight, but not for delays. However, airlines must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost, even if it is on a competing airline.

If your delay is overnight, the airline must provide a hotel room and ground transportation. If the delay causes you to miss a connection, the airline must get you to your final destination. If you decide you no longer want to fly, the airline must refund your ticket in full, including taxes and fees.

Some airlines offer vouchers or flight credits for delays as a goodwill gesture, but this is voluntary. You have no legal right to demand it. The only way to receive cash compensation in the US is through a credit card benefit, travel insurance, or a lawsuit if you can prove the airline was negligent.

Credit card and travel insurance delay coverage

Many premium credit cards include trip delay reimbursement, which pays you cash if your flight is delayed more than a set number of hours — usually 12 to 24 hours. The payment typically covers meals, lodging, and other reasonable expenses, up to a limit of $200 to $500 per day. Some cards also cover the full ticket price if you miss a connection.

To use this benefit, you usually must charge the ticket to the card and file a claim with the card's travel protection service within 90 days. You will need to provide the airline's delay documentation, receipts for expenses, and proof that you paid with that card. The card issuer will review the claim and either approve or deny it.

Travel insurance policies sold separately also cover delays, though the terms vary widely. Some policies pay a flat amount per hour of delay; others reimburse actual expenses. Read the policy document carefully to see what is covered, what the waiting period is, and what documentation you need to submit a claim.

How to file a claim and what documentation you need

If you flew within the EU or to an EU airport, you can file a claim directly with the airline by sending a letter or email to its customer service address. Include your booking reference, flight number, departure and arrival times, and the actual arrival time. Attach a copy of your boarding pass and ticket. The airline has two months to respond.

If the airline denies your claim, you can file a complaint with your country's aviation authority. In the EU, this is usually the national aviation safety authority. In Canada, it is the Canadian Transportation Agency. In Australia, it is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These agencies can investigate the airline's decision and order compensation if they find the airline was wrong.

You can also use a third-party claim service, which files the claim on your behalf and takes a percentage of the compensation if successful — usually 25 to 30 percent. These services handle the paperwork and follow up with the airline, but they cannot force the airline to pay faster than it normally would.

When airlines successfully deny compensation claims

Airlines deny most compensation claims by arguing that the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. The most common claims are severe weather, mechanical failure, air traffic control problems, and security threats. In the EU, weather and air traffic control are legitimate reasons to deny compensation. Mechanical failures are not, unless the airline can prove the failure was unforeseeable.

The airline must provide evidence of the extraordinary circumstance — usually a weather report, air traffic control statement, or maintenance log. If the airline straightforward states that weather caused the delay without providing documentation, you can dispute the claim. Request the airline's evidence and submit your own documentation, such as weather records from the airport on that day.

Some airlines deny claims by arguing that the delay was caused by a previous flight's delay, which they claim was extraordinary. This argument often fails because the airline is responsible for scheduling buffer time between flights. If you believe the airline's denial was wrong, escalate to the aviation authority in your country.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If the first flight was operated by the same airline or a partner airline, the airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. If you arrived more than three hours late at your final destination and you flew within the EU, you may be may have access to to compensation under EU rules. In the US, the airline is not required to pay cash compensation, but must get you to your destination.

What if the airline says the delay was due to weather?

In the EU, weather is an extraordinary circumstance and the airline does not have to pay compensation. However, the airline must provide evidence — a weather report or statement from the airport. If the weather was not severe enough to affect other flights that day, you can dispute the claim. In the US, weather does not may have access to you to compensation, but the airline must still rebook you and provide meals and lodging.

How long do I have to file a claim?

In the EU, you have six years from the date of the flight in most countries, though some countries have shorter limits. In Canada, the limit is two years. In Australia, it is six years. In the US, there is no federal time limit, but your credit card or insurance policy may have a 90-day important date for filing a claim.

Can I use a claim service if I live in the United States?

Only if your flight departed from or arrived in the EU, Canada, Australia, or the UK. Claim services cannot help you recover compensation in the US because there is no federal law requiring airlines to pay for delays. If your credit card or travel insurance covers delays, you must file the claim directly with the card issuer or insurance company.

What if the airline offers me a voucher instead of cash?

In the EU, Canada, and Australia, you have the right to cash compensation, not a voucher. If the airline offers only a voucher, you can refuse it and file a claim for cash instead. In the US, airlines often offer vouchers for delays, but you are not required to accept them. You can ask for a refund instead if you no longer want to fly.