Chicago O'Hare Flight Delays and Cancellations: What You Need to Know

Don't despair if Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) delays or cancellations keep you grounded. There are air passenger protections in place, to make sure you're treated fairly and make it to your destination. And we're here to help by ensuring that you receive any compensation you're entitled to following your delay. For example, if you were flying to or from the EU you may be owed up to €600 (~US$650) per person.

Click below to find out exactly what you're owed, and have our expert team help you get it.

The O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a cornerstone of Chicago's air travel system and one of the busiest airports in the United States. It serves as a key hub for domestic flights as well as international ones. Thanks to the numerous flights departing from and arriving at European destinations, many passengers are protected under EU Regulation 261 (EC 261). In fact, if your flight took off in an EU airport, or you were flying to Europe on an EU airline, you're protected by EC 261 as well.

So even though Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) isn't within the EU, EU 261 is one of the most useful laws for air travelers, and worth knowing about.

EC 261 protects not only European citizens but all passengers on flights that meet specific criteria. In the case of Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD), the rights under EU 261 apply to:

• Flights departing from an EU airport to Chicago, regardless of the airline.

• Flights operated by EU-based airlines departing from Chicago to any destination.

EC 261 says that passengers are owed compensation when airlines cause flights to be delayed, canceled or overbooked. The compensation amounts are set by the law and could be as much as €600 per person.

Regardless of whether you’re flying for business or leisure, on your own or with the family — EU Regulation EC 261 means that all paying passengers can claim up to €600 compensation.

When Can You Claim Compensation for Flight Delays?

Under EU 261, you may qualify for compensation if:

• Your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours at arrival.

• The delay is caused by reasons within the airline’s control (e.g., technical issues).

To work out if your delay is eligible you need to work out how late your flight was when it arrived at your final destination. That's because EC 261 is based on how delayed you were reaching your destination, compared to the scheduled time. It's not necessarily about the hours waiting because of delays in Chicago O'Hare Airport.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for Chicago O'Hare Flight Delays?

Read more about flight delay compensation.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Delayed at ORD

• Collect proof of the delay (e.g. emails from the airline, photos of the departure board, written confirmation of the delay from your airline, etc.).

• Pay attention to what the airline offers you — accepting certain benefits could compromise your right to compensation

• Keep receipts for any necessary purchases (e.g., food, accommodation).

• Use AirHelp’s free eligibility checker to see if you can claim compensation.

If you’re dealing with flights canceled at Chicago O'Hare Airport, AirHelp can help you understand your rights and file a claim if eligible. Firstly, the airline must offer you an alternative flight to your destination, or a refund, if that's what you'd prefer.

If your flight was canceled at late notice you may also be entitled to up to €600 (~$650) per person for the inconvenience.

When Can You Claim Compensation for Flight Cancellations?

You may qualify for compensation under EU 261 if:

• You were notified of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

• The airline is at fault (e.g., operational issues, staff shortages).

The airline can avoid paying compensation if they were able to offer you an alternative flight which would get you to your destination at a very similar time to your original arrival time.

Read more about flight cancellation compensation.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for Chicago Airport Flight Cancellations?

As outlined above in the case of delays, the exact amount depends also on the flight distance. Use our compensation checker below to see if you're eligible and determine the amount.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled at Chicago O'Hare Airport

• Collect proof of the cancellation (e.g. emails from the airline, photos of the departure board, written confirmation from your airline, etc.).

• Confirm your rebooking or refund options.

• Pay attention to what the airline offers you — accepting certain benefits could compromise your right to compensation

• Keep receipts for any necessary purchases (e.g., food, accommodation).

• Contact AirHelp to check your eligibility for compensation and file your claim.

EC 261 applies not only to European citizens but to all passengers on certain flights. For instance, if your flight departed from an EU airport or you were traveling to Europe on an EU airline, you are also covered under EC 261.

The table below clarifies which flights at Chicago ORD fall under EU 261 coverage:

Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage can be another source of frustration at Chicago O'Hare Airport. For baggage issues, passenger rights on domestic flights within the United States are governed by Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. International flights, on the other hand, fall under the Montreal Convention. In both cases, airlines are responsible for compensating passengers for baggage-related problems:

• Delayed Baggage: You can claim reimbursement for essential items purchased while waiting for your baggage.

• Lost Baggage: Compensation is available for the total value of lost items, up to a certain limit.

• Damaged Baggage: Airlines are liable for repair or replacement costs.

If you’d like to learn more, we recommend visiting our page dedicated to compensation for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.

To stay prepared for unexpected travel issues, AirHelp created AirLuggage—luggage insurance made simple. Receive a fast payout in case of luggage disruption, and we’ll also assist you in claiming up to $1,700 from the airline for lost, delayed, or damaged bags.

AirHelp…

• Is the world’s largest flight compensation company.

• Works with lawyers in 35+ countries.

• Uses state-of-the-art technology to pursue each claim.

• Takes the stress out of the claim process.

• Fights for passenger rights.

Plus, we operate on a no win, no fee basis, eliminating the risk for you completely. So if you need help to get your flight compensation due to a strike, fill out our form today.

We’re always here to help.