Stuck with a delayed flight? Learn exactly how long a delay needs to be for compensation, what airlines owe you (EU, Delta, United, etc. flight delay rules), and claiming tips.
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What is Flight Delay Compensation?
Flight delay compensation is money or benefits you might get from your travel insurance if your flight is delayed, for reasons like bad weather, mechanical issues, strikes, or airline scheduling problems. This coverage usually comes from travel insurance plans, but payout rules depend on your specific plan.
When Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation?
✅ You CAN Claim Flight Delay Compensation If…
| Scenario | Details |
| Mechanical issues 🔧 | Plane repairs, engine trouble, or technical faults caused by the airline. |
| Airline strikes 👩✈️ | Pilots, cabin crew, or airline staff strikes (if the airline is at fault). |
| Air traffic control (ATC) 🛫 | Delays caused by airline-specific scheduling or crew issues (not general ATC congestion). |
| Flight canceled with no replacement ❌ | Airline cancels your flight and offers no alternative within a reasonable timeframe. |
❌ You CAN’T Claim Flight Delay Compensation If…
| Scenario | Details |
| Weather delays 🌧️ | Typhoons, snowstorms, fog—unless your travel insurance explicitly covers weather. |
| You missed the flight 🏃♂️ | Overslept, traffic jams, or personal mistakes. |
| Airlines warned you early 📢 | They rescheduled your flight days in advance (not a "sudden" delay). |
| Extreme events 🚨 | Terrorist attacks, natural disasters, pandemics (often excluded). |
| Budget airline cancellations 🛩️ | Some policies exclude low-cost carriers (e.g., Ryanair, Spirit). Check your terms! |
Some policies exclude these—always read the fine print!
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Trip.com’s AirHelp+ Service: Your Backup for Flight Delays
If you’ve ever dealt with flight delays, you know the hassle of chasing airlines for compensation. Trip.com’s AirHelp+ service (added when you book your ticket) takes that stress off your plate.
What’s AirHelp+?
A service partnered with Trip.com that fights for your compensation if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked. They handle the paperwork, legal stuff, and arguing with airlines—you just sit back.
How to Add AirHelp+
- Pick your flight on Trip.com.
- Before paying, look for the “CareFree” or “AirHelp+” add-on options.
- Tick the box for AirHelp+ (it’s cheap—like coffee money).
Why Add AirHelp+?
- They do the work: No calling airlines or filling forms. AirHelp+ handles everything.
- Covers most issues: Delays, cancellations, overbooking (like being bumped off a full flight).
- Pay only if they win: If AirHelp+ fails to get you money, you pay nothing. If they succeed, they take a small cut.
How Long Before a Flight Delay Gets You Compensation?
Credit: Unsplash
- U.S. flights: U.S. Flights: 3+ hours for domestic and 6+ hours for international delays due to airline issues (e.g., mechanical problems) now require automatic refunds under 2025 DOT rules
- EU flights (EU261): Arrival delays 3+ hours trigger cash compensation (€250–€600) unless caused by weather/strikes
- China flights: Domestic delays 4+ hours require airlines to provide meal vouchers or cash (¥200–¥450); 8+ hours increase compensation
- Thailand flights: New 2025 rules mandate care for 3+ hour delays (e.g., deplaning if no takeoff plan) but no clear cash thresholds yet
- Travel insurance: Policies vary widely—some cover 2+ hour delays (e.g., China CITIC Bank cards), others require 4+ hours
This is the general case, only for reference.
Airline Rules for Flight Delay - Delta, American Airlines, EU, etc.
EU Flight Compensation Rules (EC 261/2004)
The European Union has some of the world's strongest passenger protection laws under Regulation EC 261/2004. These rules apply to:
- Flights departing from any EU airport, regardless of airline
- Flights arriving at an EU airport operated by an EU-based airline
Compensation Amounts
Compensation is based on flight distance:
| Flight Distance | Delay Length | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Flights under 1,500 km | 3+ hours | €250 |
| Flights between 1,500-3,500 km | 3+ hours | €400 |
| Flights over 3,500 km within/between EU countries | 3+ hours | €400 |
| Flights over 3,500 km involving non-EU countries | 4+ hours | €600 |
Important Facts About EU Compensation
- Airlines must provide care and assistance (meals, refreshments, accommodation if necessary) during long delays regardless of the cause
- Compensation is not due if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control (severe weather, political instability, security risks, unexpected flight safety issues)
- Technical issues are generally not considered extraordinary circumstances following Court of Justice of the European Union rulings
- The right to compensation does not expire quickly - you can claim for flights up to 6 years ago in some EU countries
- Airlines must inform passengers of their rights during delays
Post-Brexit Update: The UK has retained EC 261/2004 in domestic law, so similar rules apply for flights from UK airports or to UK airports on UK/EU carriers.
US Flight Delay Compensation Rules
Unlike the EU, the United States does not have federal regulations that require airlines to compensate passengers for delays. However, there are some important protections:
Department of Transportation (DOT) Rules
- Airlines must follow their own Customer Service Plans, which outline how they handle delays
- For tarmac delays, airlines cannot keep passengers on a grounded aircraft for more than 3 hours (domestic) or 4 hours (international) without allowing them to deplane
- During tarmac delays, airlines must provide food, water, working lavatories, and medical attention if needed
- Airlines that violate tarmac delay rules can face fines up to $27,500 per passenger
Airline-Specific Policies
Delta Air Lines
- Offers Delta Care during significant delays, which may include meal vouchers for delays over 4 hours
- Provides hotel accommodations and transportation for overnight delays when not in a passenger's home city
- May offer compensation in the form of Delta travel vouchers for significant service failures, determined on a case-by-case basis
American Airlines
- For delays over 4 hours, may provide meal vouchers
- For overnight delays, offers hotel accommodations if the delay is within their control
- Compensation for service failures typically comes as AAdvantage miles or travel vouchers
United Airlines
- Provides meal vouchers for delays over 3 hours
- Offers hotel accommodations for overnight delays caused by factors within their control
- May issue Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs) as compensation for significant service failures
Important: In the US, compensation for delays is largely at the discretion of the airline. Always check the airline's Contract of Carriage and Customer Service Plan for specific policies.
Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR)
Canada introduced comprehensive passenger rights regulations in 2019, providing specific compensation for delays based on the airline's control over the situation:
Compensation for Delays Within Airline Control
| Delay Length | Large Airlines | Small Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| 3-6 hours | CAD $400 | CAD $125 |
| 6-9 hours | CAD $700 | CAD $250 |
| 9+ hours | CAD $1,000 | CAD $500 |
Key Facts About Canadian Regulations
- Airlines must provide standards of treatment during delays, including food, drink, and communication access
- For delays over 8 hours, airlines must provide accommodation
- Passengers must file claims with the airline first and airlines have 30 days to respond
- No compensation is required for delays caused by safety issues or factors outside airline control
- Airlines must rebook passengers on the next available flight, including competitors' flights in some cases
Important Update: In 2022, the Canadian Transportation Agency clarified that mechanical issues are generally considered within the airline's control for compensation purposes, unless they are discovered during pre-flight checks and affect safety.
International Air Transport Rules
Outside the EU, US, and Canada, passenger rights vary significantly by country. However, some international standards and agreements exist:
Montreal Convention
- Applies to international flights between signatory countries (over 130 nations)
- Does not specifically address compensation for delays
- Allows passengers to claim for damages resulting from delays up to approximately 4,700 SDR (Special Drawing Rights, about $6,500 USD)
- Damages must be actual, documented financial losses (missed prepaid accommodations, business opportunities, etc.)
- Airlines can avoid liability if they took all reasonable measures to prevent the delay
Country-Specific Regulations
Brazil
- For delays over 4 hours, airlines must provide accommodation, meals, and communication
- Airlines must offer rebooking or full refund options
- Material damages from delays can be claimed through consumer protection agencies
China
- For delays over 4 hours, airlines must provide meals
- For overnight delays, accommodation must be provided
- No standardized financial compensation system for delays
Australia
- No specific government regulations for delay compensation
- Passenger rights are governed by Australian Consumer Law and airline conditions of carriage
- Qantas and Virgin Australia typically offer meal vouchers for delays over 2 hours and accommodation for overnight delays
Important: Always check the specific regulations of the departure and arrival countries, as well as the operating airline's conditions of carriage.
Essential Tips for Claiming Compensation
- Document everything: Save boarding passes, receipts for expenses, communications from the airline, and take photos of information boards showing delays
- Request written confirmation: Ask airline staff for written documentation of the delay and its cause
- File claims promptly: While time limits vary by jurisdiction, filing sooner is always better
- Be specific: Include flight numbers, dates, and detailed information about the delay in your claim
- Appeal rejections: If your claim is rejected, you can appeal to national enforcement bodies or consider legal action
Interesting Facts About Flight Delays
- The EU processes approximately 600,000 compensation claims annually under EC 261/2004
- Only about 15% of eligible passengers actually claim compensation they're entitled to
- The most common cause of flight delays globally is adverse weather conditions
- Airlines sometimes reclassify technical issues as safety concerns to avoid paying compensation
- The average processing time for EU compensation claims is 2-3 months
- Some airlines have been known to automatically reject first-time claims, hoping passengers won't appeal
- In the US, airlines voluntarily paid over $3.8 billion in compensation and amenities to passengers in 2019
- The most delayed airports in Europe are typically London Gatwick, Frankfurt, and Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Airlines sometimes schedule "buffer time" into flight durations to improve on-time performance statistics
Pro Tip: Third-party claim companies can handle your compensation claim but typically charge 25-30% of the awarded amount. You can file claims directly with airlines at no cost.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. The rules and amounts are subject to change. Always verify the current regulations with official sources or legal professionals before making claims.
How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation
Step 1: Check If You Qualify
Before wasting time, confirm:
- EU/UK flights: Delay of 3+ hours at arrival AND caused by the airline (mechanical issues, crew shortages).
- Travel insurance: Delay meets your policy’s time threshold (usually 6–12+ hours) and fits covered reasons (e.g., weather if your plan includes it).
- U.S. flights: No cash compensation by law, but you can ask for vouchers/hotels (politely insist!).
Step 2: Gather Proof
You’ll need:
- Airline delay certificate 📄: Ask the airline counter or email customer service. Must include:
- Flight number, delay duration, and reason (e.g., “mechanical fault”).
- Boarding pass 🎟️: Shows you were actually on the flight.
- Receipts 🧾: For meals, hotels, Ubers—if claiming through insurance.
- Policy documents 📑: For insurance claims, know your coverage limits.
No delay certificate? Use emails from the airline, app notifications, or even a screenshot of the airport departure board.
Credit: EU Claim (Note the process pic's only valid for EU flights)
Step 3: Submit Your Claim
For EU/UK flights:
- Go to the airline’s website (e.g., Lufthansa, Air France).
- Find their compensation claim form (usually under “Customer Rights” or “Delays”).
- Upload your proof.
- They must respond within 30 days. If they ghost you, escalate to a national enforcement body (e.g., UK CAA).
For travel insurance:
- Log into your insurer’s portal (e.g., Allianz, World Nomads).
- Fill out the delay claim form.
- Attach proof + receipts.
- Deadline: Most require claims within 30 days of returning home.
For U.S. airlines (Delta, United, etc.):
- Email customer service or use their online form.
- Write a polite but firm request for vouchers/hotels. Example:“My flight was delayed for [X hours] due to [reason]. Per your policy, I request compensation for the inconvenience.”
What to Expect
- EU/UK claims: Airlines often push back first. If they deny you unfairly, use a free service like AirHelp (they take a 25% cut if you win).
- Insurance claims: Payouts take 2–6 weeks. If denied, ask for a detailed reason and appeal.
- U.S. airlines: Might offer a 50–200 voucher or miles. Negotiate!
Deadlines Matter!
- EU/UK: Up to 3 years to claim.
- Insurance: Often 30–60 days after your trip.
- U.S. airlines: No formal deadline, but act within 2–3 months.
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FAQs about Flight Delay Compensation
How long does a flight have to be delayed to get compensation?
It depends on where you’re flying. In the EU, flights landing 3+ hours late usually qualify for cash payouts (€250–€600) if the airline is at fault. U.S. airlines require delays of 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international) for refunds. In China, delays of 4+ hours mean meal vouchers or cash (¥200–¥450) for airline-caused issues—weather delays only get basic help. Travel insurance often starts at 2–4+ hours, depending on your plan.Do we get compensation for flight delays?
Yes, but only if the delay is the airline’s fault and meets time rules. Mechanical issues, crew shortages, or overbooking typically qualify. Weather, strikes, or air traffic control? Airlines won’t pay cash but might cover meals/hotels. Travel insurance can help here if your policy includes weather delays. Note: Budget airlines (like Ryanair) are often excluded from insurance claims.How much is delay compensation?
Amounts vary wildly. EU flights pay up to €600 for long delays. U.S. airlines now offer 200 – 200–775 refunds for 3–9+ hour delays. In China, airline-caused delays of 4–8 hours get ¥200–¥450. Travel insurance might pay 100 – 100–1,000+ depending on your plan and delay time. Always check your policy—and keep proof (delay certificates, receipts). No paperwork, no payout.