US Flight Delay Rights: Refunds, Not Compensation
US law pays nothing for a late flight. It gives three narrower rights: a refund when the flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you choose not to travel, cash when you are bumped from an oversold flight, and the airline's own published commitments.
1. The refund right
Under 14 CFR Part 260, a covered flight is any scheduled flight "operated or marketed by a covered carrier to, from, or within the United States" — US and foreign airlines alike. A significant change includes arriving "three hours or more for domestic itineraries and six hours or more for international itineraries" late. If you reject the changed flight, the rebooking or a voucher, the fare must come back within 7 business days on a card, 20 days otherwise.
| Arrival delay | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | No refund right | No refund right |
| 4 hours | Refund if you decline | No refund right |
| 7 hours | Refund if you decline | Refund if you decline |
2. Bumping
If you hold a confirmed seat and the airline denies boarding against your will, 14 CFR 250.5 sets the payment. A worked example: a $220 domestic one-way fare and a replacement that arrives 3 hours late is $880 (400% of the fare, under the $2,150 cap). The same fare with a 1 h 30 min late arrival is $440.
3. The airlines' own promises
The Department of Transportation's dashboard lists what 8 large airlines commit to when a delay or cancellation is their fault. All 8 promise rebooking and a meal after a 3-hour wait; none promises cash. A few add vouchers or miles. Each airline's page has the detail and its on-time record: Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines.
When another country's law pays more
A US trip can still carry real compensation. Flying home from Paris, Frankfurt or Madrid, EU261 covers the flight whatever the airline: a 4-hour delay from Paris to New York is worth €600 even on a US airline. From London, UK261 does the same. Any flight to or from Canada falls under APPR, which pays $400 from 3 hours late with a large airline. See the route pages for both directions of each trip.
Making the request
Ask the airline directly — at the airport for meals and hotels, through its refund form for the fare. If it refuses, the DOT accepts complaints. The US DOT rule page has the full text references.
Sources
- 14 CFR 260.2 (eCFR)
- 14 CFR Part 260, Refunds (eCFR)
- 14 CFR 250.5 (eCFR)
- US DOT Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard (text version)
Questions
Do US airlines have to pay compensation for delays?
No. There is no federal rule requiring cash compensation for a delay or cancellation. Airlines must refund the ticket if they cancel or significantly change a flight and you decline the alternative.
What counts as a significant delay for a refund?
Arriving three hours or more late on a domestic itinerary, or six hours or more on an international one (14 CFR 260.2).
What do I get if I'm bumped from a US flight?
Under 14 CFR 250.5, 200% or 400% of the one-way fare depending on how late the replacement gets you there, with caps of $1,075 and $2,150.