Flight Delayed or Cancelled? Know Your Rights

Delays and cancellations are stressful, but knowing what you're entitled to (and what you're not) helps you ask for the right thing instead of guessing.

If the airline cancels your flight

In the US, if an airline cancels your flight, you're generally entitled to a full refund to your original payment method if you choose not to travel — even on a "non-refundable" ticket. You can also usually choose to be rebooked on the next available flight at no extra cost instead of taking a refund.

If your flight is significantly delayed

US airlines aren't required by law to pay cash compensation for delays the way some other regions require (the EU, for example, has its own compensation rules for flights departing the EU). But major US airlines have their own customer service commitments — many offer meal vouchers, hotel accommodations for overnight delays, or rebooking assistance for delays within their control (like a mechanical issue), though not for delays outside their control (like weather).

Controllable vs. uncontrollable delays

• Controllable (airline's fault): crew scheduling, mechanical issues, IT outages. Airlines are more likely to offer meals, hotels, or rebooking help.
• Uncontrollable: weather, air traffic control delays, security events. Airlines typically aren't obligated to cover hotels or meals, though some do as a courtesy.

What to do in the moment

1. Check the airline's app first — it often shows rebooking options before the gate agent line does.
2. Ask specifically what the airline's policy is for this delay type — don't assume you're not owed anything, but also don't assume you are.
3. Keep receipts for any meals or hotel costs you pay yourself, in case you can claim reimbursement afterward.

If you had a connecting itinerary on one ticket

If your delayed flight caused you to miss a connection, and both flights were on one ticket (even across partner airlines), you're generally covered for rebooking onto the next available flight at no charge. This is one of the practical reasons to book connections as a single itinerary rather than two separate one-way tickets.

If you're mid-disruption and not sure what you're entitled to ask for, talking it through with someone on the phone can help you get through the rebooking process with fewer surprises.