Flight Cancellation Compensation in USA & EU

Air travel can occasionally encounter turbulence in the form of unexpected canceled flights. For those who have endured the frustration of a flight cancellation, there exists a silver lining in the form of potential flight cancellation compensation. Under the European legislation known as EC 261, passengers may be entitled to receive up to $650 (€600) flight cancellation compensation.

US law does not mandate monetary compensation for canceled flights. However, many airlines offer types of compensation such as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, ground transportation to and from the hotel, and in some cases, travel vouchers. Additionally, under current regulations for canceled flights, you might be entitled to a ticket refund.

Read on to learn about your air passenger rights and how to claim canceled flight compensation.

• What US Passengers Are Entitled To

• Airline Policies for Canceled Flights in the US

What US Passengers Are Entitled To

No regulations require airlines to financially compensate passengers for domestic flights in the US that are canceled or delayed. However, airlines must offer refunds and/or other benefits to mitigate the inconvenience, depending on the situation. Here’s what US passengers are entitled to when plans go awry:

Airline Policies for Canceled Flights in the US: What You Can Expect

U.S. law is very clear about refunds and compensation for canceled flights: refunds must be issued automatically, but monetary compensation is not guaranteed. However, other passenger rights—such as meal vouchers or assistance during long delays—depend on each airline’s policies.

The DOT (Department of Transportation) has published a document listing the top 10 U.S. airlines, which account for roughly 96% of domestic air traffic. The airlines included (in alphabetical order) are: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

In case of a controllable cancellation, here is what you can expect from all ten major US airlines:

• Rebooking on the next available flight of the same airline at no additional cost.

• Meals or meal cash/vouchers when the flight cancellation results in a wait of at least three hours.

• No cash compensation.

There are additional forms of compensation and assistance guaranteed by most airlines. They include hotel accommodations for overnight cancellations, ground transportation to the hotel, and rebooking on partner airlines, as shown in the table below:

There are a few airlines that offer extra compensation in case of a canceled flight:

• Credit/travel voucher when a cancellation results in a passenger waiting 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time — offered only by Alaska, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and Southwest.

• Frequent flyer miles when a cancellation results in a passenger waiting 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time — offered only by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

U.S. passenger rights regulations still don't mandate compensation for canceled flights, but important changes affecting ticket refunds were introduced in the fall of 2024. The new rules establish clear standards and introduce three key changes: automatic refunds, precise timing for refunds, and specific scenarios where airlines must issue refunds for canceled flights.

The DOT refund rule applies not only to canceled flights, but also all situations in which a flight is considered significantly changed:

• Domestic flight delayed over 3 hours from scheduled departure.

• International flight delayed over 6 hours from scheduled departure.

• Change in departure or arrival airport (e.g., JFK to Newark).

• Added connections or downgraded service (e.g., nonstop to connecting flight).

• Changes making travel inaccessible for passengers with disabilities.

No matter where you live, if you’re flying from a European airport, or flying into Europe on a European airline, you can claim flight cancellation compensation under EC 261. This law can also protect the rights of US passengers, for example:

• Flights from Europe to the United States;

• Flights departing from US airports to Europe, operated by European airlines.

This chart makes it clear:

What Should You Do If Your Flight Is Canceled?

Whether it’s a US cancellation or one covered by EC 261, follow these steps to get what you’re owed:

• Ask the airline why your flight is canceled. The reason matters: for example, mechanical issues or staffing problems may qualify for compensation; cancellations due to weather usually don’t.

• Know your rights: for US flights, check airline policies or the new 2024 DOT refund rules; for EU-related flights, see if EC 261 applies.

• Save your boarding pass, ticket, and any cancellation announcements.

• Submit your claim with the airline or through AirHelp as soon as possible—flight disruptions can have deadlines.

• Let AirHelp help: enter your flight details with us, and we’ll handle the claim process for you.

When it comes to air travel to and from Europe, passengers are entitled to specific rights under the EC 261 law. In the event of a flight cancellation, you could file a claim and receive a substantial payout, potentially up to $650, in EU flight cancellation compensation.

Under EC 261, you could be entitled to compensation if…

A flight is officially considered canceled by an airline when it never takes off from the tarmac. According to the EC 261 regulation, a canceled flight is defined as follows:

The non-operation of a flight which was previously planned and on which at least one seat was reserved.

When an airline cancels your flight, you may be entitled to receive flight cancellation compensation for the inconvenience caused. Under EU regulation EC 261, passengers have the right to claim compensation from airlines for canceled flights, which can amount to as much as $650 per flight cancellation, provided specific criteria are met. In the following sections, we will delve into the details of how much flight cancellation compensation you might be eligible for based on your circumstances. To quickly find out if you qualify for compensation, use our eligibility checker now.

If the airline notifies you of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure, you could be entitled to compensation. EC 261 outlines specific compensation amounts — up to as much as $650 (€600) per person.

The exact figure depends on several factors:

• Travel distance

• Whether your flight is within the EU or not

• Length of delay — based on how much later the alternate flight would arrive at your final destination.

Since this can get complicated, the table below clarifies EC 261 compensation based on the delay of your replacement flight after a cancellation.

To make the table clearer, here are some real-world examples of flights covered by European Regulation EC 261:

• Paris to Berlin: an internal EU flight, about 1,000 km (all flights 1,500 km or less). If canceled less than 14 days before departure and the alternative arrives 3+ hours late, you’re entitled to $270 (€250). Applies to any airline departing from Paris.

• Amsterdam to Lisbon: an internal EU flight over 1,500 km. If the airline cancels it with short notice and your new flight arrives 3+ hours late, you get $430 (€400). Covered for any airline leaving Amsterdam.

• London to Dubai: a non-internal EU flight, around 3,000 km (1,500 km - 3,500 km). If canceled late and the replacement arrives 3+ hours late, you receive $430 (€400). Applies to any airline departing from London (UK counts under EC 261 extension).

• New York to London: a non-internal EU flight over 3,500 km. If operated by an EU airline (like British Airways) and canceled less than 14 days before, with the alternative arriving 4+ hours late, you’re due $650 (€600). Only applies to EU carriers arriving in the EU.

When Airlines Can Avoid Paying Compensation

Under EU 261, all cancelled flights qualify for compensation when the airline has given you less than 14 days’ notice, with one exception.

If the airline offers to re-route you, it can avoid paying cancellation compensation if the following criteria are met:

Re-Routing or Flight Refund

When it comes to flight cancellations, EC 261 makes it clear that the airline must offer the passenger the following 3 choices:

1. A full or partial refund of your original ticket — and a return flight to your original point of departure if needed.

2. Re-routing on the earliest possible alternative transport to your final destination.

3. A new ticket to your final destination at a later date of your choosing, subject to availability.

Let’s break down what your choices are here:

Other Rights That Come With EC 261

When a flight cancellation disrupts your plans, EC 261 doesn’t just cover compensation, re-routing, and refunds. Whether you’re upgraded, downgraded, or rerouted, the rules ensure fair treatment:

• Free upgrades if placed in a higher class

• Partial refunds (30-75%) if downgraded

• Mandatory transparency from airlines about your rights

• Potential additional compensation in some cases

Below, we break down these protections:

If you’d like to know more about your rights, we have further explanations on our Air Passenger Rights page, or you can read the text of EC 261 here.

The regulations set out in EC 261 apply based on the flight route and the airline – it doesn’t matter where the passengers are from. This means that U.S. citizens, for example, enjoy the same entitlements to flight cancellation compensation as their European counterparts.

Most routes that take off from a European airport are covered. And we should point out that Europe covers more of the world than you might expect. The regulations cover the so-called “outermost regions” (the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores, French Guiana and Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe and La Réunion, and Saint-Martin). Plus European nations that are members of the EEA: Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Even if your flight was scheduled to depart from outside Europe, if your destination was in Europe and you were flying with a European carrier, you’re covered. It’s easier to explain with a chart:

Here’s how EC 261 applies to some common routes:

• New York to London with British Airways: Covered ✔. Arrives in the EU with an EU airline — you’re eligible for compensation if canceled.

• London to New York with American Airlines: Covered ✔. Departs from the EU (UK counts under EC 261 rules) — protected no matter the airline.

• Paris to Rome with Air France: Covered ✔. An internal EU flight — covered by EC 261 regardless of the airline if canceled.

• Los Angeles to Vancouver with Air Canada: Not Covered ❌. Neither departure nor arrival is in the EU, so EC 261 doesn’t apply.

• Chicago to Frankfurt with American Airlines: Not Covered ❌. Arrives in the EU, but American Airlines is a non-EU carrier, so EC 261 doesn’t apply.

The right to compensation for a canceled flight depends on whether the airline is responsible. Airlines are not required to compensate passengers in cases of extraordinary circumstances, meaning situations beyond the airline's control. These include severe weather conditions, medical emergencies, airport staff strikes, political instability, bird strikes, acts of sabotage, security risks… you get the idea.

If you’re still unsure, the table below will help clarify when you might be eligible for compensation:

Under extraordinary circumstances, compensation is therefore off the table. However, other rights still apply, such as the right to care and assistance during your wait and, if applicable, the right to a ticket refund.

Can You Get Airline Compensation if You Miss a Connecting Flight?

If your ticket includes a flight with multiple stopovers, cancellation of one of the legs could result in missing a connecting flight or otherwise arriving at your final destination late. EC 261 also covers these cases: read below to find out the essential things to know.

For more details, check out our missed connection advice page.

If you’re traveling to or from the European Union, here’s what to do when your flight is unexpectedly scrubbed:

How AirHelp Can Help You Claim

If you’re going to file a compensation claim under EC 261, you can expect some pushback from the airline. Just because the law is on your side doesn’t mean they are going to be enthusiastic – or swift – about paying you.

That’s where AirHelp can come in. We can handle all the negotiations with the airline on your behalf.

AirHelp will get no fee unless you get compensated. For the processing of claims, we used fixed fees that depend on the type of claim. The fixed fee frequently corresponds to around 35% of the potential compensation. For more information on our fee structure, check our price list.

If you would prefer to claim your flight cancellation compensation yourself, please still make use of our tools. Our leading edge claim eligibility check and air passenger rights education services will tell you what you are entitled to. All are completely free.

Know more about your rights

Air Passengers Rights

Flight Delay Compensation

Missed Connection Compensation

Overbooking Compensation