Flight Delayed or Canceled? Your Rights to Refunds and Compensation

When a flight is canceled or badly delayed, most travelers accept whatever the gate agent offers. But U.S. and European rules give you specific rights to cash refunds, and in Europe, compensation of up to €600. Knowing the rules — and asking for the right thing — can be worth hundreds of dollars.

Your rights on U.S. flights (DOT rules)

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s automatic refund rule took effect on October 28, 2024. It applies to flights to, from and within the United States.

When you are entitled to a cash refund

Situation	Your right
Airline cancels your flight and you choose not to travel	Full refund of the ticket and unused extras
Significant delay: more than 3 hours domestic or 6 hours international (departure or arrival)	Refund if you decline the delayed flight or rebooking
Significant change: different airport, extra connection, downgrade to a lower class	Refund if you don’t accept the change
Checked bag delayed more than 12 hours (domestic)	Refund of the checked bag fee
Paid extras not provided (Wi-Fi, seat selection)	Refund of that fee

How refunds must be paid

• In the original form of payment (cash or card), not a voucher, unless you choose a voucher.
• Within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
• Automatically — you should not have to fill out a long request form.

What U.S. law does not require

• Cash compensation for delays or cancellations (beyond the refund). Some airlines voluntarily offer it.
• Meals or hotels by law. However, the major U.S. airlines publish customer service commitments on the DOT’s airline dashboard, and many promise meal vouchers for delays of 3+ hours and hotels for overnight delays they control.

Your rights on European flights (EU261)

Regulation (EC) 261/2004, known as EU261, covers:

• All flights departing from an EU airport (plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), on any airline.
• Flights arriving in the EU on an EU-based airline (for example, Lufthansa from New York to Frankfurt).

The UK applies an almost identical rule, UK261, with amounts in pounds.

Compensation amounts

Flight distance	Delay at arrival	Compensation
Up to 1,500 km	3+ hours	€250
1,500–3,500 km (and intra-EU flights over 1,500 km)	3+ hours	€400
Over 3,500 km	3–4 hours	€300 (may be reduced 50%)
Over 3,500 km	4+ hours	€600

Compensation also applies to cancellations announced less than 14 days before departure and to involuntary denied boarding, unless the airline offered a qualifying alternative flight.

Care and assistance (regardless of the cause)

• Meals and refreshments in proportion to the wait.
• Hotel and transport to it when an overnight stay is necessary.
• Two phone calls or emails.
• For delays of 5+ hours, the option of a full refund.

When airlines don’t have to pay compensation

“Extraordinary circumstances” — severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security risks, political instability or strikes by third parties such as airport staff. Technical problems and the airline’s own staff shortages generally do not count as extraordinary.

The EU agreed on a reform of EU261 in June 2026, but the current rules — including the 3-hour threshold — remain in force until the new regulation officially applies.

What to do at the airport (step by step)

1. Get rebooked fast. Use the airline app and call the reservations line while waiting in line.
2. Ask the reason for the delay and write it down; it matters for EU261.
3. Keep everything: boarding passes, screenshots of delay notices, receipts for meals and hotels.
4. Decide: rebook or refund. If you decline travel after a significant delay or cancellation, request the refund in the original form of payment.
5. Request vouchers for meals and hotels based on the airline’s commitments.

How to claim afterward

• U.S. refund not received? File a complaint with the airline, then with the DOT online.
• EU261 claim: submit directly on the airline’s website; it’s free. Claim companies typically keep 25%–35% of the payout.
• If the airline refuses, escalate to the national enforcement body of the country where the incident happened.
• Your credit card or travel insurance may reimburse meals and hotels the airline didn’t cover. See is travel insurance worth it?

Quick reference: U.S. vs EU rules

	United States (DOT)	European Union (EU261)
Refund for cancellation	Yes, cash	Yes
Refund for long delay	3h domestic / 6h international	5+ hours
Cash compensation	Not required by law	€250–€600
Meals and hotel	Airline commitments	Required by law

Bottom line: on U.S. flights, insist on a cash refund if you don’t travel after a cancellation or significant delay. On flights covered by EU261, claim up to €600 when the delay was the airline’s fault. Lost your bag as well? Read our guide to lost and delayed luggage compensation.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check transportation.gov and the EU’s Your Europe portal for the latest rules.