Flight Canceled? Your Passenger Rights in the US

 

Let’s face it: few things ruin a trip faster than a canceled flight. Your plans go up in smoke, and you're expected to just carry on like nothing happened. The good news? You may be entitled to a refund, rebooking, or even cash compensation—depending on the flight and where it was supposed to go. And in some cases, you could be owed up to $700 in compensation from the airline.

Clearly, the devil’s in the details, and knowing your air passenger rights puts you one step ahead. 

 

US Flight Cancellation Rights

If you were one of the 4.3 million US travelers who experienced a flight cancellation this year, you might be eligible for compensation. Luckily, if the airline cancels your flight, and you choose not to accept an alternative, they must give you a full refund, even if your ticket was marked as non-refundable. That includes the cost of any extras you paid for, like seat selection or checked baggage.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), if the issue was within the airline’s control—like a crew scheduling problem or a technical problem—you're also entitled to a flight rebooking.

While airlines aren’t legally required to pay compensation for canceled domestic or international flights, most provide additional entitlements like meal vouchers, hotel accommodation, and transportation to the hotel. Airlines such as Alaska and Hawaiian even offer frequent flyer miles! You can check out the full list on the website of DOT. 

But if the flight cancellation was due to bad weather, air traffic control delays, or other uncontrollable disruptions, the airline isn't legally required to rebook you on a new flight. 

In situations like these, we advise passengers to look up alternative flights themselves. Make a list of flights that are suitable for you, both with the same airline and a different one if those are the only options. As carriers aren't obligated to find you a new flight, the airline representatives would be more willing to help you if you've compiled the list yourself. This way, all they need to look up is whether there are available seats on the plane. 

 

European Flight Cancellation Compensation

If you’re flying to or from an EU country, you may be protected by EU Regulation 261, which gives passengers much stronger rights, including the possibility of up to $700 for cancellations.

You may be eligible for compensation if:

• Your flight departs from an EU country, including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, or any EU overseas territory, regardless of which airline you’re flying with.
• Or your flight lands in the EU, as long as it’s operated by a European airline (such as British Airways, Air France, KLM, etc.).

So, if you’re flying from Rome to New York, you're covered under EC 261, whether you booked with an EU or a US airline. 

But if you’re flying from New York to Rome with a non-European airline like Delta or American, you’re not covered under EC 261, even if the flight is delayed or canceled.

The takeaway? Whether you're eligible for compensation depends more on where you're flying to and which airline you're with rather than where you live. That's why it's important to check both the departure point and the airline's nationality.

You can use our free flight compensation calculator below to find out how much you can claim.

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Key points about flight delay compensation

There is no compensation for delayed flights in the United States. However, under DOT regulations you may be entitled to an automatic refund of the ticket cost in cases of significant delays.

 

When Can I Get Canceled Flight Compensation in the US?

If your flight falls under EC 261, you may be entitled to compensation if:

• Your flight was canceled less than 14 days before departure, and
• You weren’t offered a suitable alternative flight, or the new flight caused a significant delay in arrival.

If your rebooked flight doesn’t meet these conditions, you may still be eligible for compensation.

Here are some real-world examples to make it clearer:

• Brussels to Rome: This is a medium-distance flight within the EU, just under 1,500 miles (about 1,400 km). If your airline cancels it on short notice and the new flight arrives 3+ hours late, you may be entitled to $425 (€400). Since both cities are in the EU, any airline operating this route is covered.
• Chicago to Munich with Lufthansa: A long-haul, non-EU to EU flight over 4,000 miles (about 7,000 km). If Lufthansa cancels the flight less than 14 days before departure and your replacement lands more than 4 hours late, you're likely eligible for $700 (€600)—but only because Lufthansa is an EU carrier.

Additionally, depending on when you were informed about the cancellation within the 14 days, your entitlement to compensation changes. The rules depend on how far in advance you were informed about the cancellation and how convenient the replacement flight is:

• You were informed of the cancellation between 7 and 14 days before departure, and your replacement flight departs more than 2 hours earlier or arrives more than 4 hours later than your original flight.
• You were informed of the cancellation less than 7 days before departure, and your replacement flight departs more than 1 hour earlier or arrives more than 2 hours later than your original flight.

 

How Much Compensation for a Canceled Flight in the US?

Under DOT's regulations, you're legally entitled to a refund and rebooking. And while frustrating, unfortunately you can't claim compensation in cash from the airline.

But if you're flying from Europe or on a European airline to the EU, you can get up to $700 in compensation. But how much you get depends on a few key factors.

The amount isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s calculated based on:

• The distance of your flight
• How late you arrived at your final destination, compared to your original schedule

Basically, the longer the flight and the longer the delay, the higher the compensation.

Here’s a quick breakdown to give you a clearer picture:

 

Note: If your airline offers an alternative flight, the compensation is still based on your actual arrival time. Courts have confirmed that “arrival time” refers to the moment the aircraft door opens at the gate, not when the plane touches down.

What if the Cancellation was Outside the Airline's Control?

Here’s the catch: not every canceled flight means you get compensation. If the disruption was caused by something outside the airline’s control—like a snowstorm, political unrest, airport staff going on strike, a security threat, or major air traffic issues—the airline isn't obligated to pay you compensation. Under American and European flight cancellation compensation rules, these are considered “extraordinary circumstances.”

That said, the airline should still keep you updated and help you as much as they can while you wait. Even if they don’t owe you money, they’re not off the hook completely.

 

Other Rights: Food, Drinks, Hotel

If you’re not getting cash compensation, you might still be entitled to assistance at the airport—especially in Europe. Under EU rules, if your flight is canceled, the airline has to offer free meals, drinks, hotel accommodation (if needed), and transportation to and from the hotel. They’re also supposed to keep you informed. And yes—this applies even if the delay isn’t their fault.

In the US, it works differently. There’s no law that forces airlines to give you meals or a hotel. Instead, it depends on the airline’s own policy. Some carriers offer additional entitlements like:

• Delta often provides hotel and meal vouchers if the delay is caused by them.
• JetBlue has a Customer Bill of Rights that includes snacks and credits for long delays.
• Southwest may offer travel credit or rebooking, but usually no hotel unless it’s their fault.

It is always a good idea to review the airline's policy to understand how far your rights actually apply in their case.

 

How to Get Compensation for a Canceled Flight in the US

This is where SkyRefund comes in. We protect air passengers’ rights by providing clear, easy-to-understand information—and we’ll help you claim the compensation you’re entitled to if you’d rather not handle it all yourself.

Here’s a straightforward step-by-step guide to help you take action:

 

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

First, check whether your flight qualifies under EU261. To be eligible, your flight must have been canceled less than 14 days before departure, and the airline must be responsible for the disruption. If you weren’t given a suitable alternative flight, that’s a strong case.

 

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You need these:

• Proof of the cancellation (written confirmation from the airline, emails, airport screenshots, messages)
• Boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
• Valid passport or ID 
• Booking reference number
• Flight itinerary
• Receipts for additional expenses caused by the delay, if applicable

 

Step 3: File a Claim with SkyRefund

You don’t need to argue with the airline. Just submit your flight details to SkyRefund, and we’ll take over from there. It’s risk-free, so if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

 

Step 4: Let Our Legal Experts Handle It

Once your claim is submitted, our team of legal professionals will manage the process on your behalf. Timelines vary depending on the airline, but most cases are resolved within a few weeks.

 

Why SkyRefund?

Knowing your air passenger rights can make all the difference when your travel plans go sideways. With SkyRefund on your side, getting what you’re owed doesn’t have to be complicated.

We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means we only get paid if you win. SkyRefund is a legaltech company helping air passengers claim compensation.

We have a global network of lawyers to ensure your rights are protected regardless of where you are. With over 8 years of aviation experience and more than 1M passengers claimed, we're here to help you exercise your air passenger rights. 

Let us help you win your case. Submit your claim for compensation below, and let us handle the rest.