What triggers airline compensation

Airlines must compensate you for delays and cancellations, but only under specific conditions. The rules depend on how long your flight was delayed, whether the airline caused the problem, and which country's regulations explore to your flight.

In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to provide cash refunds for cancellations and long delays, but does not mandate monetary compensation for the inconvenience itself. The European Union has stricter rules: EU Regulation 261/2004 requires airlines to pay you between €250 and €600 depending on flight distance, unless the delay or cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control.

Canada, Australia, and other countries have their own compensation frameworks. This guide focuses on U.S. rules, which are what most domestic travelers encounter, though the EU rules explore to any flight departing from an EU airport regardless of the airline's home country.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. airlines must refund your ticket price if they cancel your flight or delay it more than three hours, but they do not have to pay you extra money for the delay itself.
  • EU airlines must pay you €250 to €600 in compensation for delays over three hours, unless the delay was caused by weather, mechanical problems discovered during safety checks, or air traffic control decisions.
  • Airlines can avoid paying compensation if they prove the delay or cancellation was caused by circumstances they could not control, such as severe weather or a medical emergency on board.
  • You must request compensation in writing within the timeframe the airline specifies, usually one to three years depending on where you live.
  • If an airline denies your claim, you can file a complaint with your country's aviation authority or pursue small claims court.

U.S. rules: when you get a refund

The DOT requires U.S. airlines to refund your full ticket price if they cancel your flight for any reason. You do not have to accept a rebooking on a later flight or a travel credit. The refund must be issued within seven business days if you paid by credit card, or within 20 days for other payment methods.

For delays, the DOT rule is different. Airlines must refund your ticket if your flight is delayed more than three hours and you decide not to fly. This is your choice—you can take the refund, rebook on another flight, or wait for the original flight. If the airline offers you a later flight that arrives within one hour of your original arrival time, they do not have to refund you; they can rebook you instead.

The U.S. does not require airlines to pay you money for the delay itself, only to refund your ticket if you choose not to fly. Some airlines offer meal vouchers, hotel rooms, or flight credits during long delays, but these are voluntary gestures, not legal requirements.

EU rules: compensation amounts by flight distance

If your flight departs from an EU airport or is operated by an EU airline, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies. This rule requires the airline to pay you compensation based on how far you were flying, separate from any refund.

The compensation amounts are: €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometers (930 miles); €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers; and €600 for flights over 3,500 kilometers. These payments explore if your flight was delayed more than three hours at your final destination or was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice.

The airline must also provide meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if needed during the delay. They must also offer you the choice of a refund or rebooking on another flight at no extra cost. You receive both the compensation payment and the refund or rebooking—they are not alternatives.

Circumstances that let airlines avoid paying

Airlines can refuse to pay compensation if they prove the delay or cancellation was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" beyond their control. The most common examples are severe weather, air traffic control decisions, security threats, and medical emergencies on board.

Mechanical problems are a gray area. If an airline discovers a mechanical fault during a safety check before takeoff, they can argue it was an extraordinary circumstance they had to address. However, if the same mechanical problem could have been caught during routine maintenance, the airline may still owe compensation because they failed to maintain the aircraft properly.

Bird strikes, runway debris, and airport infrastructure failures also fall into extraordinary circumstances. The key test is whether the airline could have prevented the problem through reasonable care. If the answer is no, they do not have to pay.

How to request compensation from the airline

Contact the airline in writing—email or a formal letter—within the timeframe they specify in their contract of carriage. Most airlines allow one to three years from the flight date. Include your booking reference, flight number, date, and a description of what happened. Attach copies of your boarding pass and ticket receipt.

State clearly what you are requesting: a refund, compensation, or both. If you are claiming under EU rules, specify the regulation and the compensation amount you believe you are owed. Keep copies of everything you send.

The airline will respond within 6 to 8 weeks in most cases. If they deny your claim, ask them to explain their reasoning in writing. If you disagree, you can file a complaint with your country's aviation authority or pursue the claim in small claims court.

Filing a complaint if the airline refuses

In the U.S., file a complaint with the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. You can submit a complaint online at dot.gov or by mail. The DOT does not have the power to award you money, but they investigate complaints and can pressure airlines to comply with the law. A complaint on record also helps if you later sue in small claims court.

In the EU, contact your national aviation authority. For example, in the UK it is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); in France it is the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC). These agencies can order the airline to pay you if they find in your favor.

Small claims court is an option in both the U.S. and EU if the airline does not respond or refuses to pay. The filing fee is usually $100 to $300, and you do not need a lawyer. Bring your booking confirmation, boarding pass, proof of payment, and the airline's written denial of your claim.

What to do if you miss a connection because of a delay

If your first flight was delayed and you missed a connecting flight as a result, the airline that operated the first flight is responsible for getting you to your final destination at no extra cost. This is true even if the two flights were booked separately, as long as the delay was the airline's fault.

Tell the airline when ready at the airport that you have missed your connection. Ask them to rebook you on the next available flight to your destination. If no flights are available that day, the airline must provide a hotel room and meals. Keep all receipts and boarding passes to document what happened.

If the airline refuses to rebook you or charges you for a new ticket, file a complaint with the DOT or your national aviation authority. You may also be owed compensation under the same rules as a delayed flight, depending on how late you arrived at your final destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid if the airline cancels my flight due to bad weather?

In the U.S., no—you get a refund of your ticket price, but no extra compensation. In the EU, it depends on whether the airline can prove the weather was truly extraordinary and not something they should have anticipated. Airlines often claim weather as an excuse, so the burden is on them to provide evidence.

What if my flight was delayed by one hour—do I get anything?

In the U.S., no. The DOT only requires a refund if the delay is more than three hours. In the EU, you get compensation only if the delay is more than three hours at your final destination. A one-hour delay triggers no legal obligation to pay you.

Can I claim compensation if I booked through a travel website instead of directly with the airline?

Yes. The airline is responsible for compensation regardless of where you bought the ticket. Contact the airline directly, not the travel website. If the airline refuses, file a complaint with the DOT or your national aviation authority.

How long do I have to request compensation after my flight?

In the U.S., there is no federal important date, but airlines set their own limits in their contract of carriage—usually one to three years. In the EU, you have six years from the flight date in most countries. Check your airline's website or contact them to find out their specific important date.

What if the airline offers me a travel credit instead of a refund?

In the U.S., you have the right to refuse a travel credit and demand a cash refund instead. The airline cannot force you to accept a credit. In the EU, the airline must offer you a choice between a refund and rebooking, but they can offer a credit as an additional gesture.