The US has no EU261-style cash compensation for delays or cancellations themselves. But US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules give you real, enforceable rights. Figures below are current as of 2026.
Verify the current figures. DOT adjusts dollar caps for inflation and rules evolve. Confirm at transportation.gov before relying on a number. This is general information, not legal advice.
1. Automatic refunds (2024 DOT rule, 14 CFR Part 260)
If a flight is cancelled, or significantly changed and you don’t accept the alternative, you’re owed an automatic refund in your original form of payment — not a voucher.
A change is “significant” if any of these apply:
- Departure or arrival time moves 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international);
- A different departure or arrival airport;
- Added connections;
- A downgrade in class;
- (Disabled passengers) a less-accessible aircraft or different connecting airports.
Refunds must be prompt: within 7 business days for credit-card purchases, 20 calendar days for other payment. You also get refunds for a significantly delayed checked bag (not delivered within 12h domestic / 15h or 30h international) and for paid services not provided (Wi-Fi, seat selection, etc.). Use the US DOT refund letter.
2. Denied boarding (involuntary bumping) — 14 CFR Part 250
| Rebooked to arrive… | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Within 1 hour of original arrival | None |
| 1–2 h late (domestic) / 1–4 h late (international) | 200% of one-way fare, up to $1,075 |
| More than that | 400% of one-way fare, up to $2,150 |
Caps are $1,075 / $2,150, effective January 22, 2025. Insist on cash (check or original payment), not a voucher. Use the US version of the denied-boarding letter.
3. Delays & cancellations — meals/hotel, not cash
There’s no federal cash payout for a delay or cancellation itself. For controllable (airline-caused) disruptions, meals and overnight hotels come from each airline’s own customer-service commitments, which DOT publishes on its Airline Customer Service Dashboard (a green check = the airline committed; DOT can enforce the promise, but it’s not a compensation law).
4. Tarmac delays — 14 CFR Part 259
Airlines must let you off the plane after 3 hours (domestic) or 4 hours (international) on the tarmac, and provide food and water by the 2-hour mark, plus working lavatories.
5. Baggage
- US domestic: the airline’s liability for lost/damaged/delayed checked bags is up to $4,700 per passenger (DOT-set, effective January 22, 2025).
- International: governed by the Montreal Convention (about 1,519 SDR ≈ $2,100), not the domestic figure.
6. How to complain
First complain to the airline (it must acknowledge within 30 days and respond within 60). Then file with DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection office at transportation.gov/airconsumer — DOT uses complaints for enforcement. See if they refuse.
One narrow, temporary caveat: in December 2025, DOT paused enforcement (through June 30, 2026) of refunds owed only because a flight was renumbered with no real schedule change. The core refund rule above — cancellations, significant changes, delayed bags, unprovided services — is unaffected.
Flying to/from Europe? EU261/UK261 may also apply (e.g. departing the EU/UK, or arriving on an EU/UK carrier) and can pay far more — check the amounts table.