Flight Delay Compensation United States

Being delayed when flying isn't just annoying. It can ruin vacations, eating into your precious leisure time. It can leave relatives stranded without information, awaiting your arrival. And it's a needless source of stress as well. Fortunately, there are ways to claim compensation for many flight delays, especially if the flights in question involve European airports.

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Find out whether you can claim compensation for delays

Although many American travelers seem to be unaware, the European Union has set out thorough regulations to protect passenger rights, and these rights extend to them. The regulation in question is called EU 261/2004, and it's something every traveler should be aware of. Under 261/2004 travelers can claim compensation for delayed arrivals of over 3 hours, providing their flight involves an EU airport. All flights that leave an EU airport are covered, as are those arriving at one as long as the carrier is based in Europe. So, if your flight leaves Berlin or Rome, and arrives at JFK late, or if you arrive in Amsterdam in the dead of night, compensation may be available.

The amount of flight delay compensation United States travelers can claim varies. There's a maximum of $650 (excluding accommodation and food costs, which airlines may have to cover). But even short delays can incur penalties of $200 or more. Delayed flights can take off or land in any EU nation, along with associated nations like Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway (or the UK). But the airline must be at fault to some degree. Claims probably won't be accepted if extreme weather situations were to blame, although be sure to check the status of your claim. 261/2004 covers a wide variety of scenarios, and payouts aren't hard to obtain. If you think you may be eligible, AirHelp is here to assist you with the claims process.

AirHelp is here to help you get compensation for flight delays and cancellations. Find out what you could be entitled to.

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About AirHelp

AirHelp is the world's largest air passenger rights organization, here to help air travelers secure compensation for delayed, canceled, or overbooked flights.

We make claiming compensation easy and stress-free. Whether you are unsure of your rights, lack the time, or simply want an expert to handle your entire claim for you, AirHelp can help you get what you are rightfully owed.

We operate on a no win, no fee basis, so you can check your compensation risk-free.


Claiming Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

How do you know when you should claim compensation for a delayed or canceled flight? Though the law can be complicated, we're here to break it down for you:

Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late.
Canceled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was canceled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.
Overbookings: you are owed compensation any time you are denied boarding through no fault of your own — so long as you didn't voluntarily give up your seat.

We should note that if extraordinary circumstances were involved, arirlines are under no obligation to pay compensation. Examples of extraordinary circumstances include bad weather, travel restrictions, and air traffic control strikes. Though these situations cause delays and cancellations, the airline isn't at fault, so can't be expected to offer compensation.

Remember these are European flight regulations and so only apply to flights departing from an EU airport, or flights landing in the EU with a European airline. The table below makes it clear which flights are covered:

Claim up to $650 in compensation if your flight has been delayed, canceled, or overbooked within the last 3 years.

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How Much Flight Compensation?

DistanceCompensation
All flights under 1,500 kmUp to $270 per person
Internal EU flights over 1,500 kmUp to $430 per person
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 - 3,500 kmUp to $430 per person
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 kmUp to €600 per person

In some circumstances the compensation amount may differ from the standard amounts shown above. The easiest way to find out what you’re owed is to use our Compensation Calculator.


What to Do if Your Flight is Delayed or Canceled

If you experience a flight delay or cancellation, here's what you should do:

  • Hold onto your boarding pass and other travel documents.

  • Ask why the flight was delayed or canceled.

  • Request food, drinks, and if necessary, free transport and hotel accommodation.

  • If you had a canceled flight, ask for an alternative flight or a refund.

  • Keep all receipts of any extra expenses you may have had, including necessary food, clothing, etc.

  • Be careful not to sign any waivers or accept vouchers that will require you to waive your right to compensation.

Have AirHelp claim your compensation

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Recent delays and cancellations

Airline (e.g. Lufthansa)

Departure airport (e.g. Frankfurt or FRA)

Date

Flight number

Airline

Route

Status

12/19/2024

9:50 PM

AY825

Nordic Regional Airlines

Helsinki (HEL)

Stockholm (ARN)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

9:25 PM

LH1664

Lufthansa

Munich (MUC)

Sibiu (SBZ)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

9:20 PM

VE9024

CAI Second

Bogota (BOG)

El Yopal (EYP)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

9:00 PM

LH290

Lufthansa

Frankfurt (FRA)

Bologna (BLQ)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

9:00 PM

LH290

Lufthansa

Frankfurt (FRA)

Bologna (BLQ)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

9:00 PM

LH290

Lufthansa

Frankfurt (FRA)

Bologna (BLQ)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

9:00 PM

LH290

Lufthansa

Frankfurt (FRA)

Bologna (BLQ)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

8:50 PM

VF3256

Ajet

Istanbul (SAW)

Konya (KYA)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

8:45 PM

LA4787

Latam Airlines Group

Salvador (SSA)

São Paulo (GRU)

CanceledCheck Compensation

12/19/2024

8:20 PM

LA3101

Latam Airlines Group

Uberlândia (UDI)

São Paulo (CGH)

CanceledCheck Compensation
Your flight isn't here? Use our full compensation check and we'll look into it. Check your flight
  • AY825

    Nordic Regional Airlines

    Canceled

    Helsinki

    Stockholm

    HEL

    ARN

    12/19/2024

    9:50 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LH1664

    Lufthansa

    Canceled

    Munich

    Sibiu

    MUC

    SBZ

    12/19/2024

    9:25 PM

    Check Compensation
  • VE9024

    CAI Second

    Canceled

    Bogota

    El Yopal

    BOG

    EYP

    12/19/2024

    9:20 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LH290

    Lufthansa

    Canceled

    Frankfurt

    Bologna

    FRA

    BLQ

    12/19/2024

    9:00 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LH290

    Lufthansa

    Canceled

    Frankfurt

    Bologna

    FRA

    BLQ

    12/19/2024

    9:00 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LH290

    Lufthansa

    Canceled

    Frankfurt

    Bologna

    FRA

    BLQ

    12/19/2024

    9:00 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LH290

    Lufthansa

    Canceled

    Frankfurt

    Bologna

    FRA

    BLQ

    12/19/2024

    9:00 PM

    Check Compensation
  • VF3256

    Ajet

    Canceled

    Istanbul

    Konya

    SAW

    KYA

    12/19/2024

    8:50 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LA4787

    Latam Airlines Group

    Canceled

    Salvador

    São Paulo

    SSA

    GRU

    12/19/2024

    8:45 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LA3101

    Latam Airlines Group

    Canceled

    Uberlândia

    São Paulo

    UDI

    CGH

    12/19/2024

    8:20 PM

    Check Compensation
Your flight isn't here? Use our full compensation check and we'll look into it. Check your flight

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AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers’ rights.

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