What You’re Owed if Your Flight is Delayed in the U.S.

United States airlines aren’t required to compensate flight delays with cash payments. However, you can get refunds for your ticket, baggage, and extras after a significant delay. Many airlines also reimburse travelers for food and lodging, but this depends on airline policy. Let’s break it down.

Do U.S. Airlines Have to Pay You for a Delayed Flight?

No, US airlines don’t have to pay you for a delayed flight. Federal regulations don’t require cash compensation, only refunds for significant delays if you elect not to fly. 

On November 17, 2025, the USDOT withdrew the Airline Passenger Rights proposal that would have required fixed cash compensation. That said, travelers can get refunds, and many airlines also cover meals, hotels, ground transportation, and travel vouchers in addition.

The only situation where compensation is guaranteed by law is when you’re denied boarding on an oversold flight. 

Key Takeaways

1. US airlines do not pay cash for delays
2. You’re entitled to a full refund for a significant delay if you choose not to travel
3. Full refunds are paid within 7 business days for cards (20 calendar days for other payment methods)
4. Paid extras (baggage, upgrades) are refundable if you didn’t receive them
5. Airline policy dictates reimbursement for meals, hotels, and other expenses after a delay

What are Your Rights for Flight Delays in the United States?

US consumers have the right to get a ticket refunded after a significant delay, while some airlines provide other benefits. On domestic flights, your U.S. passenger rights come from two places: 

• The U.S. Department of Transportation, and 
• Your airline’s own contract of carriage. 

What You’re Entitled To

Based on this mix of federal regulation and the airline's own rules, you are entitled to the following for flight delays:

1. Timely and accurate delay updates. Airlines must give you prompt information about the delay, the reason for it, and regular updates at least every 30 minutes while you wait at the airport.
2. Any additional services your airline voluntarily provides. U.S. law does not require airlines to provide hotels, meals or transport during delays, but many airlines do offer these things when a delay is within their control and not caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or staffing issues. What you receive depends entirely on your airline’s published commitments. 
3. A refund for significant delays or changes to your flight: You are entitled to an automatic full cash refund (including taxes and fees) if your flight is "significantly changed" for any reason, and you turn down a rebooking offered by the airline. Airlines might push you to accept vouchers and travel credits, but you are entitled to a cash refund. If you do not want a voucher, just tell the airline you prefer to be refunded in cash.

What is a significant change or delay?

A significant change is when the airline: 

• Delays your departure or arrival by 3 hours for domestic flights and 6 hours for international ones,
• Changes to your departure or arrival airports, 
• Increases the number of connections 
• Downgrades your class of service
• Changes your flight to different airports or aircraft that are less accessible for persons with disabilities.

Your Rights for Tarmac Delays

A tarmac delay happens when an aircraft is delayed on the ground with passengers on board and not allowed to take off or return to a gate. Federal law requires airlines to protect your rights during these situations by:

1. Providing water and snacks within 2 hours, allowing access to working bathrooms, ensuring adequate ventilation, and medical assistance if needed.
2. For domestic flights, airlines must let you leave the aircraft after 3 hours on the tarmac for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights, unless doing so would create a safety or security risk.

Your Entitlements for Flight Delays: Federal Law vs. Airline Policy

Federal law only requires reimbursement for significant delays, while most major airlines provide more types of reimbursement according to their policies. This table will give you a better understanding of what you can expect when your flight is delayed in the U.S..

What Happened to the Proposed U.S. Delay Compensation Rule?

In 2024, the DOT proposed an Airline Passenger Rights rule that would have required airlines to pay fixed cash amounts of about $200 to $775 for delayed flights. This compensation would have been separate from a refund. In other words, you could have received a cash payment even if you agreed to take the airline's alternative flight offer.
On November 17, 2025, the DOT withdrew the proposal. The proposal never went into effect, and there are no current plans for a cash compensation requirement. At this point, the significant delay refund is the only required reimbursement.

Flight Delay Insights for the United States

According to our data, nearly 1 in 15 flights was delayed by 60 minutes or more, and over 1% of all flights arrived 3+ hours late. This means flight delays in the US are more common than many travelers expect.

Breakdown of 3+ hour delays by route distance

*Percentages rounded for readability. All figures are based on AirAdvisor’s proprietary analysis of 1.5M+ US flights over a 30-day period (17/11/2025 – 18/12/2025).

While most domestic US delays do not qualify for fixed cash payouts, US passengers may still receive compensation on certain international flights. Plus, significant delays often lead to reimbursable extra expenses, such as meals, hotels, and ground transport. If your flight was disrupted, it’s still worth checking what you can recover, many travelers give up without realizing they have valid claims.

 - Anton Radchenko, Esq., Aviation Attorney.

US Airline Delay Reimbursement Commitments 

Many carriers have made voluntary commitments about what they will offer passengers when a flight delay is their fault. Here’s a snapshot of what each U.S. airline has committed to provide passengers if they get stuck at the airport because of a controllable delay.

Data below comes from the DOT Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard. Check the dashboard to see airline commitments if you experience a delay.

Alaska Airlines

During delays, Alaska Airlines will:

• Rebook you (if you have a significant delay) at no additional cost
• Rebook you on a partner airline at no additional cost
• Provide a meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Provide complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Offer ground transportation to and from the hotel
• Offer a travel credit/voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Offer frequent flyer miles for delays of 3+ hours

Allegiant Air

During delays, Allegiant will: 

• Rebook you (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• Offer meal or meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Offer complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Provide complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel

American Airlines

During delays, American will:

• Rebook you (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• Rebook you on a partner airline (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• Provide meal or meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Offer complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Offer complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel

Delta Air Lines

If your flight is delayed, Delta will offer:

• A rebooking (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• Rebooking on a partner airline (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• A meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel

Frontier Airlines

During flight delays, Frontier has committed to provide: 

• Rebooking on the same airline at no additional cost (for significant delays)
• A meal or meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines will provide the following for delays:

• Rebooking (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• Rebooking on a partner airline (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• A meal or meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel
• Travel credit/voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Frequent flyer miles for delays of 3+ hours

JetBlue Airways

During delays, JetBlue will offer:

• Rebooking at no additional cost (for significant delays)
• Rebooking on a partner airline at no additional cost (for significant delays)
• Meal or meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel
• Travel credit/voucher for delays of 3+ hours

Southwest Airlines

Southwest has committed to provide the following during delays:

• Rebooking (for significant delays) at no additional cost
• Meal or meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel
• Travel credit/voucher for delays of 3+ hours

United Airlines

United has committed to the following for flight delays:

• Rebooking (for significant delays)  at no additional cost
• Rebooking on a partner airline at no additional cost (for significant delays) 
• Meal or meal voucher for delays of 3+ hours
• Complimentary hotel accommodation for overnight delays
• Complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel

Getting Reimbursed for Expenses

Federal law doesn't guarantee that you will be paid back for essential purchases made during a flight delay. But, if your airline has committed to providing care and assistance, and the flight delay was controllable, then you can file a reimbursement claim.

Whenever you pay for essentials during a flight disruption, always keep your receipts organized. You will need to provide proof of these purchases in order for the airline to pay you back.

Example Scenarios of Airline Reimbursement

It can be difficult to visualize how airline reimbursement actually works. So here are two examples to show you how you can get paid back for expenses made when your flight is delayed.

Example #1: Direct Flight from Seattle to Dallas 

Route: Seattle (SEA) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
Airline: American Airlines

What happened: A mechanical issue caused a 4 hour controllable delay on a direct flight from Seattle. The airline did not offer meal vouchers, so the traveler bought dinner, drinks and a taxi home when the flight arrived well after midnight.

Out of pocket expenses:

Dinner: $17.80
Airport snacks and water: $9.40
Taxi home: $48.00
Total: $75.20

Why reimbursement applies: Under U.S. rules, airlines do not have to reimburse expenses by law, but they often honor them when the delay is controllable and they failed to provide the assistance they committed to in their customer service plan.

Outcome: The traveler submitted receipts through the airline’s reimbursement portal. The airline reimbursed $75.20 because the delay was within their control and support should have been offered.

Example 2: Connecting Flight Reimbursement (Missed Connection Due to Delay)

Route: First flight: Orlando (MCO) to Charlotte (CLT)
Connecting flight: Charlotte (CLT) to Boston (BOS)
Airline: American Airlines

What happened: A passenger had a departure delay from Orlando due to a crew issue that made him 3 hours late on arrival. By the time he arrived in Charlotte, the Boston flight was gone and the next available connection was the next morning.

The airline rebooked the second flight for free but did not offer a hotel, despite the delay being controllable. Because of this, the passenger had to pay for:

Airport restaurant meal: $21.60
Overnight hotel near CLT: $129.00
Shuttle service to/from hotel: $16.00
Total: $166.60

Why reimbursement applies: Because the missed connection was caused by a controllable delay, and the airline’s own policy promised hotel accommodation in that scenario, the traveler could claim reimbursement for expenses they paid themselves.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the U.S. is that delay rights hinge on why the flight was delayed, but the DOT’s refund rule does not work that way. If the delay is significant and you turn down the rebooking, you are entitled to a full refund no matter the cause. The reason for the delay only becomes relevant when you’re asking the airline for voluntary support like meals or hotels, not when you’re exercising your refund rights.

 - Anton Radchenko, Esq., Aviation Attorney.

Checked-Bag Fee Refund

You may be entitled to a checked bag fee refund if the bag arrived late. A refund applies if your bag arrived at least:

• 12 hours late for a domestic flight
• 15 hours late for an international flight under 12 hours
• 30 hours late for an international flight over 12 hours

You have to file a mishandled baggage report to claim delayed baggage compensation.

Note that the late baggage timeline is independent of the flight delay timeline. For example, say your flight is 3 hours late, but you still fly and don’t get a flight refund. Then, your bag gets stuck in the system and misses its connection. You could get a refund for the bag fee if it meets the criteria above.

How to Request a Refund for a Significantly Delayed Flight

For significant delays, US airlines provide automatic refunds to your original form of payment once you decline the airline’s alternative flight options. You should receive a refund within 7 business days if you paid by card or 20 calendar days if you used other forms of payment.

Refunds apply to domestic flights that have been delayed by 3 hours or international flights delayed for 6 hours. Confirm with the agent that you’d like to cancel instead of board an alternate flight, and they’ll process the refund. Note that airlines will automatically cancel your flight after a certain amount of time if you haven’t accepted the alternative.

If the airline does not issue the refund within the required timeframe, you can escalate your case by filing a complaint using the USDOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection form. To fill out the form, you’ll need your booking details, flight details, and any relevant supporting documentation. However, since refunds are required by the government, you shouldn’t have to escalate for most situations.

International Flight Delays

If you’re flying from the US to another country, the destination country’s passenger protection laws can provide compensation for delays. Depending on the country, compensation can go beyond requirements in the US. 

For example:

• Flights from the US to Europe on EU airlines are covered by EU261
• Flights from the US to the UK on UK or EU airlines may be covered by UK261
• Flights from the US to Canada may be covered by Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), including flights operated by U.S. and other foreign airlines

Note that different jurisdictions can treat refunds and compensation as separate rights. So, a traveler could receive a refund for the ticket cost along with compensation in some scenarios.

Need help getting your flight compensation?AirAdvisor’s legal team can enforce your rights so you get what you’re owed. We’ll even take the airline to court on your behalf. Enter your flight details below to get started.Start your claim

International Trips: The Montreal Convention

Article 19 of the Montreal Convention holds airlines liable for documented damages caused by flight delays and that meet certain criteria. The Montreal Convention could help you recover losses when the DOT doesn’t. 

Damages for delays are limited to 6,303 SDR (which is about $8,600). Liability only applies to international flights when arrival and destination countries are among the 143 parties of the Montreal Convention.

Criteria for a valid claim include:

• Out-of-pocket expenses like food, lodging, and ground transportation as a result of the delay are documented
• You file a formal claim or lawsuit within 2 years of the original arrival date
• The airline could have done more to avoid the delay or its effects on passengers

The last point is important. The text of the Montreal Convention releases airlines from liability if they took all steps possible to avoid the delay or if it was impossible to avoid.

Take These Steps When Your Flight is Delayed in the U.S.

Here are a few tips to help you protect your rights when you have a delayed flight.

1. Check your airline’s app or website for the status of your delay. 
2. Find out why your flight was delayed. If you found this info through the app or by email, keep it. This information will help you if you need to file a reimbursement claim because certain airlines will pay you back for expenses for controllable delays.
3. If your delay is significant, ask about being rebooked. If you want to abandon your travel plans, ask for a refund.
4. Ask the airline what support they can provide. If you have to pay for essentials, keep track of your receipts. Without proof of your purchases, you won’t be reimbursed.

How to Get a Reimbursement for Flight Delays

If you paid for essentials, you will need to file a reimbursement claim. Here’s what you need to do to get your money back:

1. Go to your airline’s customer care or feedback section and look for the reimbursement or expense claim form. Upload every relevant receipt and include your booking reference so they can match everything quickly.
2. Tell the airline what costs you had, why they were necessary, and what the delay situation was. If the airline told you the delay was caused by something on their side, like a mechanical issue or crew shortage, mention that. Mentioning the cause of the delay will boost your chances of getting your money back. 
3. If you haven’t received your refund, reach out to the airline’s customer service team.

You can also let AirAdvisor handle your case. 

How Delay Refunds & Reimbursement Work in Practice 

AirAdvisor helps travelers recover reimbursement for expenses after significant flight delays. To show you how this works in real life, here is a recent reimbursement case we handled for a flight delay in the U.S.. 

American Airlines Flight Delay & Reimbursed Expenses 

Are you waiting for flight delay compensation?You don’t have to navigate airline policies yourself. Let AirAdvisor handle your compensation claim to get the ticket price and expenses reimbursed.Start Your Claim

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