Flight delayed or canceled in the US: what the rules say you're owed
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In the United States, a delayed flight doesn't come with cash compensation by law. What the law does give you is a refund: if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed or changed and you choose not to travel, the airline must refund your ticket, even a nonrefundable one. On top of that, the largest airlines promise meals, rebooking and hotels when the disruption is their fault, and there are firm rules for tarmac delays and for being bumped.
These are the federal rules as of September 2026. They cover flights to, from and within the United States. This isn't legal advice.
Your right to a refund
Since October 28, 2024, airlines must give an automatic refund when your flight is canceled or significantly delayed or changed, and you decide not to take the new flight or a travel credit.
A flight counts as significantly delayed or changed when:
| Change | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Departs earlier or arrives later than originally scheduled | 3 hours or more on a domestic trip, 6 hours or more on an international trip |
| Airport | You'd leave from or arrive at a different airport |
| Connections | Your new itinerary has more connections than the original |
| Cabin | You're downgraded to a lower class of service |
What the refund rules say:
- You choose. If you'd rather not fly, you get your money back. The airline can offer a voucher or credit, but it can't treat you as having accepted it unless you actively agree. A voucher offered instead of a refund must stay valid for at least five years.
- Full amount, original payment. The refund includes taxes and fees for extras you couldn't use, goes back to your original form of payment, and the airline can't charge a processing fee.
- Fast. Within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 days for other payments.
- Checked bag fees are refunded too if your bag arrives very late: more than 12 hours after a domestic flight, or 15 to 30 hours after an international one depending on the flight's length.
One temporary exception: until July 7, 2027, DOT isn't enforcing refunds when a flight only gets a new flight number and you're rebooked on it without a significant change.
Compensation for delays: no federal requirement
There's no federal rule that makes airlines pay you for a delay or cancellation. In November 2025, DOT withdrew its proposal to require compensation for flight disruptions, and said airlines should compete on what they offer.
What exists instead are airline commitments. Airlines publish customer service plans, and according to DOT, all of the 10 largest US airlines guarantee a meal and free rebooking, and 9 of them a hotel and transportation to it, when an overnight delay or cancellation is within their control. These promises are voluntary and vary by airline, so check your airline's customer service plan. DOT also said it won't treat delays caused by unscheduled maintenance required by a mandatory safety directive as within the airline's control.
Stuck on the tarmac
If your plane sits on the ground with passengers aboard and no chance to get off:
- Food and water must be provided no later than 2 hours into the delay, unless the captain decides it isn't safe.
- Lavatories must work, and medical attention must be available if needed.
- Updates every 30 minutes.
- The chance to get off before 3 hours on a domestic flight or 4 hours on an international one, unless safety, security or air traffic control prevents it.
Bumped from an oversold flight
If you're denied boarding against your will on a flight departing a US airport, the airline owes you compensation based on how late your replacement flight gets you there:
| Arrival delay of the alternate flight | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Within 1 hour | None |
| Domestic: 1 to 2 hours; international: 1 to 4 hours | 200% of your one-way fare, up to $1,075 |
| Domestic: more than 2 hours; international: more than 4 hours, or no alternate offered | 400% of your one-way fare, up to $2,150 |
It must be paid on the day, in cash or by check, unless you choose a voucher after being told you can take cash.
How to complain
- Write to the airline first. It must acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and send a real answer within 60 days.
- File with DOT if you're not satisfied. DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection sends the complaint to the airline, which must respond to you directly.
If your problem is a missed connection, read missed your connection because of a delay? Flying from Europe? EU rules give cash compensation for long delays.
Know early
Add your flights to FlyingOver before you travel. You'll see status and gate changes while you're online, follow the flight offline in the air, and know sooner when a delay is getting close to the thresholds that matter.
Sources
- 14 CFR part 260 (US Department of Transportation), refunds for airline fare and ancillary service fees: Definitions of cancelled flight and significantly delayed or changed flight (3 hours domestic, 6 hours international, different airport, more connections, downgrade); refund in the original form of payment within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 days; voucher only if you agree; delayed bag fee refunds. (September 16, 2026)
- Federal Register, refunds and other consumer protections (August 12, 2024): Compliance date of October 28, 2024 for refunds due to airline cancellations or significant changes. (September 16, 2026)
- Federal Register, airline refunds and other consumer protections (July 7, 2026): DOT won't enforce refunds for flights that are merely renumbered without a significant change, until July 7, 2027. (September 16, 2026)
- Federal Register, airline passenger rights withdrawal (November 17, 2025): DOT withdrew its plan to require compensation for flight disruptions; the 10 largest US airlines keep voluntary commitments, all guaranteeing a meal and free rebooking and 9 a hotel for controllable disruptions. (September 16, 2026)
- 14 CFR 259.4 (US Department of Transportation), tarmac delays: Chance to deplane before 3 hours (domestic) or 4 hours (international); food and water within 2 hours; working lavatories; updates every 30 minutes. (September 16, 2026)
- 14 CFR 250.5 (US Department of Transportation), denied boarding compensation: Compensation up to $1,075 or $2,150 depending on how late the alternate flight arrives; none if it arrives within 1 hour; cash unless you accept a voucher. (September 16, 2026)
- 14 CFR 259.7 (US Department of Transportation), response to consumer complaints: Airlines acknowledge complaints within 30 days and send a substantive response within 60 days. (September 16, 2026)
- US Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, file a complaint: DOT forwards airline service complaints to the airline, which must respond directly to the consumer. (September 16, 2026)
Related guides
- Missed your connection because of a delay? What happens nextWhat airlines owe you when a late first flight makes you miss your connection in the US or Canada, on one ticket or separate tickets, and what to ask for.
- Ground stop vs. ground delay: what it means for your flightWhat the FAA means by a ground stop and a ground delay program, why your plane waits at the gate, and how to check airport delays before you fly.
- Flight delay compensation in Canada: APPR explainedHow much Canadian airlines owe for delays and cancellations under the APPR, which disruptions qualify, food and hotels, rebooking and how to claim.