What You’re Owed if Your Flight is Delayed in the U.S.
If you have a flight delay in the United States, you might not get compensation as you would in other countries, but your rights are protected. This guide explains exactly what you’re entitled to, when you can make a claim for reimbursement, plus when and how to get a refund.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. flight delay rights come from the Department of Transportation rules, plus your airline’s own policies.
- You can get a full cash refund if your delay is significant and you reject the rebooking.
- Meals, hotels and reimbursements are not guaranteed by law, but many airlines offer them voluntarily.
- You are entitled to reimbursement for paid extras that your airline failed to provide.
- Some international flights from the U.S. may qualify for EU261 or UK261 compensation.
What are Your Rights for Flight Delays in the United States?
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Providing water and snacks within 2 hours, allowing access to working bathrooms, ensuring adequate ventilation, and medical assistance if needed.
- For domestic flights, airlines must let you leave the aircraft after 3 hours on the tarmac, unless doing so would create a safety or security risk.
Your Entitlements for Flight Delays: Federal Law vs. Airline Policy
This table will give you a better understanding of what you can expect when your flight is delayed in the U.S..
Required by Federal Law? | What You Are Entitled To | |
Ticket Refund | Yes, for significant delays | If a domestic flight is delayed 3 hours or more, or an international flight is delayed 6 hours or more, you can get a full refund for your ticket and any unused extras if you reject a rebooking. |
Refunds for Paid Extras (Wi Fi, seat upgrades, baggage) | Yes | If you paid for a service and the airline does not deliver it due to a delay or disruption, you are entitled to a refund for that specific service. |
Meals and Hotel Stays | No | Airlines are not legally required to cover meals or accommodation during delays. Whether you get anything depends entirely on the airline's own delay policy. |
Reimbursement of expenses | No | If your airline has committed to providing essential services during delays, but you end up paying for them yourself, then you can get reimbursed if the delay was within the airline’s control. |
Onboard Amenities during Tarmac Delays | Yes | If you are stuck on the tarmac, the airline must give water and snacks within 2 hours, keep the cabin ventilated, provide bathroom access, and offer medical help if needed. |
Cash Compensation for Delay Inconvenience | No | There is no legal requirement for airlines to pay compensation simply because a flight is delayed. This only exists for involuntary denied boarding, which follows separate rules. |
Can You Get Compensation for a Flight Delay in the U.S.?
For domestic flights, there is no legal requirement for airlines to compensate you for delays or cancellations. The only situation where compensation is guaranteed by law is involuntary denied boarding on an oversold flight.
Flight Delay Insights for the United States
Overall delay rates (17/11/2025 – 18/12/2025) - Last 30 Days
Metric | Number of flights | Share of all analysed flights* |
Total flights analysed | 1,505,885 | 100% |
Flights delayed 60+ minutes | 100,675 | ≈ 6.7% |
Flights delayed 3+ hours | 16,078 | ≈ 1.07% |
Breakdown of 3+ hour delays by route distance
Route distance band | Flights delayed 3+ hours | Share of all 3h+ delays* |
Under 1,500 km | 9,620 | ≈ 59.8% |
1,500 – 3,500 km | 4,339 | ≈ 27.0% |
Over 3,500 km | 2,071 | ≈ 12.9% |
*Percentages rounded for readability. All figures are based on AirAdvisor’s proprietary analysis of 1.5M+ US flights over the last 30 days.
Flight delays in the US are more common than many travelers expect. Nearly 1 in 15 flights was delayed by 60 minutes or more, and over 1% of all flights arrived 3+ hours late.
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
View recently delayed flights (updated every 30 minutes) -->
What U.S. Airlines Have Committed to Provide Passengers
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.
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
Spirit Airlines
During delays, Spirit will provide:
- 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
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:
Why reimbursement applies: Under U.S. rules, airlines do not have to reimburse expenses by law, but they often honour 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:
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
How to Request a Refund for a Significantly Delayed Flight
Refunds in the US should be automatic once you turn down the airline’s alternative flight options. But ask if you need to cancel your booking in order to trigger the refund, and get something in writing to prove that you refused the rebooking and requested a refund.
If the airline does not issue the refund within the required timeframe, you can escalate your case by filing a complaint with the USDOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This usually pushes the airline to act quickly, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get your money back.
International Flight Delays
If you are departing from the U.S. on a foreign airline, you may qualify under that country’s passenger rights laws.
For example:
- Flights from the US to Europe on EU airlines may be covered by EU261
- Flights from the US to the UK on UK airlines may be covered by UK261
- Flights from the US to Canada on a Canadian Airline may be covered by the APPR
Under these laws, you could be compensated for a flight delay if you arrive hours late at your destination and the airline is at fault.
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
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.
- Check your airline’s app or website for the status of your delay.
- 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.
- If your delay is significant, ask about being rebooked. If you want to abandon your travel plans, ask for a refund.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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
Airline: American Airlines
Airport: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Disruption: Flight delay
Recovered amount: $305.11 reimbursed expenses
A family flying from DFW to Mexico City experienced a long delay on an American Airlines flight. The airline committed to helping passengers with meals during controllable delays, but they failed to offer the family this assistance. As a result, the passengers had to spend $305.11 on food, transport and other essentials while stranded.
The passenger provided receipts and delay documentation, and AirAdvisor filed a reimbursement claim showing the expenses were directly caused by a controllable delay.
The Result: AirAdvisor successfully recovered $305.11, which was paid directly to the traveler.
Tools to Help You Out
See our list of FREE tools in the links below:
- Flight Delay Checker
- Free Flight Delay Compensation Calculator
- Free Flight Delay Compensation Letter Template
Resources & Additional Reading
Some extra resources to help you better understand flight delay compensation:
- Delayed Flight Compensation Claim Deadlines
- What are Delay Reversals?
- Should I Accept Cash or Vouchers for a Delayed Flight?
Flight Delays by Issue
Read more about the most popular flight delay causes:
FAQs
Are airlines required to put me on a competitor’s flight if mine is delayed?
The DOT does not require airlines to rebook you on a competing carrier during a delay or cancellation, but some airlines voluntarily rebook on partners or competitors when the delay is controllable, but it is not a federal mandate.
Can I get reimbursed for missed events, hotels or prepaid activities caused by a delay?
Under DOT rules, airlines only have to refund services they failed to provide and unused flight segments. Anything you booked independently, even if the delay caused you to miss it, is not covered by federal law. Some airlines may offer goodwill gestures, but there is no obligation for them to reimburse these costs. Your best bet is to check with your travel insurance.
What happens if a delay causes me to miss the last flight of the day?
If the delay was the airline’s fault, and they have committed to providing hotel accommodation in these situations, then you could get complimentary lodging, but this isn’t a federal requirement. If the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, you might have to check with your travel insurance for coverage.
Am I entitled to lounge access during a lengthy delay?
You’re not entitled to lounge access during delays, but some airlines might offer this sort of assistance as a goodwill gesture if the delay was controllable.
Can I claim reimbursement if I book my own replacement flight?
Not usually. If your flight is significantly delayed and you decide to book your own replacement flight, the airline is only required to refund you for the unused portion of your original ticket.
You can request reimbursement, but airlines rarely agree unless the delay was clearly their fault and their own rebooking options were unreasonable.
Does the DOT define a maximum delay time before a flight must be cancelled?
There is no law requiring airlines to cancel a flight after a certain number of hours. The only timing rule is the tarmac delay rule (3 hours domestic / 4 hours international), which applies when passengers are stuck on the aircraft.
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Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead
Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development with a focus on consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work centers on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.
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