What you're actually owed when a flight is delayed
US and EU rules differ dramatically, and within each, compensation depends on delay length, reason, and whether it's the airline's fault. Most travelers accept a $12 meal voucher and move on. Under EU 261 or US DOT rules, you may be owed 50–100x that.
EU 261 (applies to flights departing EU, or on EU airlines arriving to EU)
- 3+ hour delay or cancellation: €250 short-haul (under 1,500 km), €400 medium-haul (1,500–3,500 km), €600 long-haul (over 3,500 km).
- Paid regardless of ticket class. Paid even if you bought a $99 fare.
- Exceptions: “extraordinary circumstances” (weather, air traffic control, security) — no compensation, but still entitled to meals and hotel.
- Right to care: 2+ hour delay triggers meals, communication, and hotel if overnight.
US DOT rules (as of 2026)
Still much weaker than EU. Recent rules (2024) require refunds for cancellations or “significant changes” (3+ hour domestic, 6+ hour international delay). No guaranteed cash compensation like EU 261. Individual airlines publish their own customer commitments — Delta, JetBlue, United now offer meal vouchers and hotel for overnight delays within airline control.
Denied boarding (overbooking)
US: 200% of one-way fare up to $775 for 1–2 hour domestic delay after bumping; 400% up to $1,550 for longer. EU: same as flight delays (€250–€600). Don't accept a $400 voucher when $1,550 is the legal minimum.
How to actually collect
Email the airline with the EU 261 or DOT reference, flight number, and scanned boarding pass. Most airlines stall; file via AirHelp, ClaimCompass, or Flightright (they take 25–35% fee but handle the fight). Small claims court in the airline's home country is another route. Credit card trip delay coverage (Chase Sapphire Preferred) reimburses up to $500 per delayed traveler for a 6+ hour delay.
Worked examples: real delay compensation payouts
Example 1 — Lufthansa LH441 FRA-IAD canceled day-of, rebooked for next day. 24-hour delay. EU 261 long-haul (over 3,500km): €600 per passenger. Family of 4 = €2,400. Plus hotel, meals, ground transport covered. File via AirHelp if airline stalls — they'll take 25% ($150 per passenger), leaving $450 each.
Example 2 — British Airways LHR-JFK delayed 5 hours for mechanical (airline-controlled). EU 261 applies since departing EU. €600 per passenger × 2 = €1,200. Add Chase Sapphire Preferred trip delay coverage (6+ hour delays): up to $500/traveler for meals, hotel, essentials. You can stack both because CSP covers out-of-pocket, EU 261 is statutory.
Example 3 — United UA100 EWR-LHR delayed 8 hours due to crew timing out. US DOT requires refund if passenger opts out. If they fly, there's no guaranteed US compensation. But on a US-EU flight, EU 261 does NOT apply (airline is US, originating outside EU). Chase Sapphire Preferred: $500 reimbursement if 6+ hour delay.
Example 4 — Delta DL123 ATL-DEN overbooked, involuntarily bumped. 3-hour delay reaching DEN. Compensation: 200% of one-way fare, capped $775. Fare was $380 one-way, so you're owed $760 in cash. Airline will offer a $400 voucher first — decline and demand cash.
Example 5 — Weather cancellation, no rebooking for 2 days. EU 261 exception: no compensation. But right to care applies: hotel, meals covered. Travel insurance (Allianz OneTrip Prime, $180 for 10-day trip) kicks in for trip delay up to $800.
Airline-specific customer commitments (2026, US)
- Delta: hotel, meal voucher, rebooking on partner airlines for controllable 3+ hour delays. $200-$500 eCredits for 3-6 hour delays (varies).
- United: similar hotel/meal guarantees. Miles compensation 5K-25K per incident for goodwill.
- American: weaker than Delta/United. Hotel and meal vouchers yes; cash compensation rare without persistence.
- JetBlue: Customer Bill of Rights — $50 credit for 3-4 hour delay, $150 for 4-5 hours, $300 for 5-6 hours (controllable).
- Southwest: no change fees ever. No cash compensation system for delays. Reward points for major disruptions case-by-case.
- Alaska: 5,000 miles for 3+ hour controllable delay if you email about it.
Credit card trip delay coverage
- Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95 AF): 12+ hour delay or overnight, $500/person reimbursement for meals/hotel/essentials.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 AF): 6+ hour delay, $500/person.
- Amex Platinum ($695 AF): 6+ hour delay, $500/trip total.
- Capital One Venture X ($395 AF): 6+ hour delay, $500/person (trip must be paid with card).
- United Club Infinite ($695): 12+ hour delay, $500/person.
FAQ on flight delay compensation
- Does EU 261 apply to code-share flights? Yes, if the operating carrier is EU-based or the flight departs EU. Marketing carrier doesn't matter.
- What counts as "extraordinary circumstances"? Weather, air traffic control, strikes by third parties, security alerts. Not: mechanical issues (unless hidden manufacturer defects), crew timing out, bird strikes (contested, some courts sided with passenger).
- Can I get compensation AND a refund? Yes, EU 261 compensation is separate from your refund/rebooking right.
- How long do I have to file? EU 261: 2-6 years depending on country (6 in UK, 3 in Germany, 2 in Netherlands). US DOT: no specific deadline, but file within 120 days.
- Does credit card trip delay stack with EU 261? Generally yes. EU 261 is statutory; CC coverage is insurance. Some CC policies exclude overlap — read fine print.
- What if my connecting flight is missed due to first flight's delay? Single reservation = airline rebooks and delay compensation applies to final destination. Separate tickets = you're on your own.
- Are baggage delays compensated separately? Yes, separate from flight delay. Typically $50-$100/day of delay, $500-$1,500 for lost.
- What about weather during non-severe events? If the airline claims weather but your flight is the only one canceled while others operate, challenge the classification. Screenshot other departures.
- Can I file under both US DOT and EU 261? No, pick the stronger one. EU 261 is always stronger if it applies.
- Do low-cost carriers follow EU 261? Legally required, but Ryanair, Wizz, and EasyJet notoriously stall. AirHelp exists for a reason.
Troubleshooting: airlines stalling your claim
Step 1: polite email with all documentation (flight number, dates, boarding pass scan, delay screenshots, EU 261 reference). Airlines have 30 days to respond. Step 2: if denied or ignored after 30 days, file with the national enforcement body — CAA in UK, DGAC in France, LBA in Germany. Step 3: small claims court — about $50-$100 filing fee, airlines rarely fight and settle. Step 4: AirHelp/ClaimCompass if you can't be bothered — 25-35% cut, but they'll pursue through courts. Your €600 becomes €400; better than the €0 most passengers get by accepting vouchers.
Related tools
See travel insurance value, lost luggage claim, and travel card ROI (cards include trip delay coverage).