Does a US airline owe compensation for a delayed flight?

No fixed cash compensation exists in US law for a delay you fly through — airlines owe meals after 3 hours and a hotel overnight for delays they caused, per their dashboard commitments. If the delay reaches 3 hours domestic or 6 international and you choose not to travel, the full fare must be refunded automatically.

How much is denied boarding compensation in the US?

Involuntarily bumped passengers get 200% of the one-way fare up to $1,075 when they arrive 1–2 hours late domestic (1–4 international), and 400% up to $2,150 beyond that — in cash or check, not vouchers, under 14 CFR 250 amounts effective January 2025.

How much is EU261 flight compensation?

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, €600 beyond — the UK mirror is £220/£350/£520 — once you arrive 3+ hours late or were cancelled within 14 days of departure, halved if a rerouting landed you close to the original time.

Flight Delay & Cancellation Compensation Calculator — US + EU Rules 2026

What the rules put back

The rulebook for your case

Where the money jumps

What you can claim at every arrival delay, under the rules you picked. The dot is your flight. Hover to explore.

Claiming it, step by step

How we calculate

What is included

US bumping (14 CFR 250, amounts effective Jan 22, 2025): arrive 0–1 h late — nothing; 1–2 h late domestic (1–4 h international) — 200% of the one-way fare, capped at $1,075; later than that — 400%, capped at $2,150. Cash or check, not vouchers, usually same day.

US cancellations & big delays (DOT automatic-refund rule, in force since late 2024): cancelled, or delayed 3+ h domestic / 6+ h international, and you don’t travel — the full fare comes back automatically, to the card, within 7 business days. Bags 12+ h late — the bag fee back. Paid extras not delivered — those fees back.

EU/UK flights (Regulation 261/2004 & UK261): fixed compensation by distance once you arrive 3+ h late or are cancelled inside 14 days — €250 / €400 / €600 (£220 / £350 / £520), halved if a rerouting landed you close to plan. Meals and a hotel are owed on top, from 2–4 h of waiting.

Sources: 14 CFR Part 250 · DOT air consumer rules · Regulation (EC) 261/2004.

What is estimated or left out

The honest gap in US law: a delay you fly through earns no cash compensation — only care per the airline’s own dashboard commitments (meals at 3 h, a hotel overnight, for delays the airline caused). EU/UK “extraordinary circumstances” (severe weather, ATC strikes, security) cancel the fixed amounts — but routine technical faults and crew scheduling do not, whatever the rejection letter says. Voluntary bumping is a negotiation, not a formula — this page prices the involuntary kind.

The formula, in plain words

bumped (US)   = 200% of one-way fare (arrive 1–2h late dom / 1–4h intl, cap $1,075)
              = 400% beyond that (cap $2,150)
cancelled/3h+ (US, you don't fly) = full fare refunded, automatic
EU/UK, 3h+ or cancelled = €250 / €400 / €600 by distance band
              (£220 / £350 / £520 · halved on close rerouting)
+ bag fee back (bag 12h+ late, US) + undelivered extras back

Common questions

My flight was delayed 5 hours — does the airline owe me money?: In the US: no cash by law if you still fly — but meals (and a hotel overnight) if the airline caused it, and a full automatic refund if you abandon the trip at 3+ hours domestic / 6+ international. Departing the EU/UK: a fixed €250–€600 (£220–£520) once you arrive 3+ hours late, unless the cause was truly extraordinary.
What do I get if I’m bumped from an overbooked flight?: If you did not volunteer: cash, on the spot — 200% of your one-way fare (up to $1,075) when the replacement lands you 1–2 hours late domestic, 400% (up to $2,150) beyond that. You may insist on cash instead of vouchers, and you keep the compensation even if you accept the rebooking.
The airline offered a travel voucher — should I take it?: For an involuntary bump or a refund the rules say money, not scrip: refunds must go back the way you paid, and bump compensation is payable by check. A voucher is legal only if you agree to it — so agree only when it is worth clearly more than the cash and you will certainly use it before it expires.

Flight Compensation