US Flight Delays and Cancellations: What Airlines Are Actually Required to Do

If you’ve ever had a flight delayed in the United States, you’ve probably noticed how different the experience feels compared to Europe. Long delays, limited compensation, and a lot of fine print. That’s not your imagination — US airline passenger rights are much more limited, especially when it comes to cash compensation.

This guide explains what US airlines are legally required to do when flights are delayed or canceled, when you’re entitled to a refund, and when international rules may still apply. It’s designed to help you set realistic expectations and understand when it’s worth pushing back.

The Big Difference: No Automatic Delay Compensation in the US

Let’s start with the most important point:

US airlines are not required to pay cash compensation for flight delays.

Unlike Europe’s EU261 rules, there is no federal law in the United States that mandates cash payouts simply because a flight arrived late.

That said, airlines are required to follow specific refund and disclosure rules, and those rules matter more than most passengers realize.

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What the US Department of Transportation Regulates

Airline consumer protections in the US are enforced by the federal government through the US Department of Transportation (DOT).

The DOT oversees:

• Refund obligations
• Cancellation rules
• Disclosure requirements
• Enforcement actions against airlines

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s airline passenger protections, airlines must follow clear rules when flights are canceled or significantly changed.

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When You Are Entitled to a Refund in the US

Refunds are where US passengers have the strongest protections.

You are entitled to a cash refund (not a voucher) if:

• Your flight is canceled and you choose not to travel
• Your schedule is significantly changed and you decline the new itinerary
• The airline cannot provide the transportation you purchased

Importantly, this applies even if:

• The ticket was non-refundable
• The delay or cancellation was due to airline operations

The DOT has reinforced these rules in recent years, making refunds a key area of enforcement.

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What Counts as a “Significant” Schedule Change?

This is where things get less clear — because US regulations do not define a single universal threshold.

In practice, airlines often consider factors such as:

• Length of the delay
• Changes to departure or arrival airports
• Missed connections

Because definitions vary by airline, it’s important to review both DOT guidance and airline policy when delays are substantial.

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What Airlines Are NOT Required to Provide in the US

This is where expectations often clash with reality.

In the United States, airlines are generally not required to provide:

• Cash compensation for delays
• Hotel accommodations for overnight delays
• Meals or ground transportation

Any of these benefits are usually offered voluntarily under the airline’s own policy, not federal law.

This is why similar delays can result in very different outcomes depending on the airline.

[INTERNAL LINK → Airline-specific delay & cancellation articles]

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Delays vs Cancellations: Why the Difference Matters

US rules treat delays and cancellations very differently.

• Delays → usually no refund unless the delay is extreme and you choose not to travel
• Cancellations → refund required if you decline rebooking

Understanding this distinction helps you know when you actually have leverage.

[INTERNAL LINK → Flight Cancelled — Refund vs Rebooking Explained]

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How Airline Contracts of Carriage Come Into Play

Each airline publishes a document known as a contract of carriage, which outlines how it handles delays, cancellations, and customer obligations.

These contracts are legally binding, but they vary widely by airline — which is why airline-specific pages are so useful.

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Overnight Delays and Missed Connections in the US

Overnight delays and missed connections are some of the most frustrating situations for travelers.

In the US:

• Hotels and meals are usually discretionary
• Airlines may offer vouchers, but are not legally required to
• Policies vary significantly by carrier

Missed connections caused by delays may still qualify you for rebooking, but rarely for compensation.

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When International Rules May Still Apply

Not all US airline flights are governed solely by US rules.

You may still be covered by EU or UK compensation laws if:

• Your flight departed from the EU or UK
• You were flying on an EU-based airline into the US

In these cases, compensation of up to €600 may still apply, even if the delay occurred in the US.

EU Flight Delay Compensation (EC261 / UK261 Guide)

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What About International Flights Outside Europe?

For many international itineraries, passenger rights fall under the Montreal Convention, an international treaty governing airline liability.

Under the Montreal Convention, passengers may be able to recover:

• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Delay-related costs
• Documented financial losses

Related guidance is outlined in the Montreal Convention on airline liability, though it does not provide automatic cash compensation.

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Can Services Like AirHelp Help with US Flights?

For purely domestic US flights, services like AirHelp are usually not helpful, because compensation laws are limited.

However, AirHelp can be useful for:

• EU-to-US flights
• UK-to-US flights
• International itineraries involving EU airlines

In those cases, EU261 or UK261 may still apply.

AirHelp Review & How It Works

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US Flight Delays and Cancellations: Final Thoughts

US airline rules can feel frustrating, especially when compared to Europe. While cash compensation for delays is rare, refund rights for cancellations are stronger than many passengers realize, and international laws may still apply in certain cases.

Knowing the difference can save you money — or at least help you avoid accepting a voucher when a refund is legally required.

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Related Guides

You may also find these helpful:

• US Flight Delay Rules
• Global Flight Delay Compensation Rules
• EU Flight Delay Compensation (EC261 Guide)
• AirHelp Review & How It Works