U.S. Travelers May Soon Get Compensated for Flight Delays

Checking the flight schedule

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Checking the flight schedule
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Stuck at the Airport?

Have you ever had a flight delay that resulted in a missed connection or being stuck at the airport? There might be good news on the horizon. 


On Dec. 5, the Department of Transportation introduced a proposal that, for the first time ever, could allow U.S. air passengers to be eligible for cash compensation when faced with delays or cancelled flights. The airlines will also have to provide basic duty of care to their customers in the event of a controllable flight delay or cancellation.

Waiting for a night flight in airport
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What Are the Details?

If passed, the DOT’s current Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) would require airlines to pay customers cash compensation after a significant (controllable) flight delay or cancellation. A controllable flight delay or cancellation is one which the airline could have reasonably prevented. Situations like staffing problems and mechanical issues are controllable and would lead to passenger compensation. However, delays or cancellations due to bad weather or Air Traffic Control (ATC) orders? No dice.

Airport line
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How Much Could I Get?

Compensation varies depending on how long your flight is delayed — but even the shortest window is nothing to sneeze at. 

  • $200 – $300 if the flight delay is between three and six hours
  • $375 – $525 if the flight delay is between six and nine hours
  • $750 – $775 if the flight delay exceeds nine hours
Young Woman waiting for delayed flight and reading digital book on chairs
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Don't Airlines Offer Compensation Already?

Sort of. Ten airlines voluntarily agreed to add some basic duty-of-care benefits to their customer-care plans in the past year. This includes rebooking without charge, meal vouchers, and hotel stays when you're stranded overnight in the middle of your journey. Check your airline's compliance on the Department of Transportation's Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard


FYI, Frontier Airlines will only rebook your flight and give you a meal voucher, and no airline offers cash compensation for a flight delay over three hours.

Flight delay concept. Detail of hand holding suitcase in front of clock and airport panel.
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Is It Like This Everywhere?

Our country is near the bottom when it comes to showing travelers a little kindness. Air travelers in Europe are protected by EU261, which requires airlines to provide cash compensation, hotel accommodations, and meals after a controllable flight delay or cancellation. Under European law, airlines — including U.S.-based carriers operating in the region — must inform their passengers of their rights after a qualifying disruption.


In Canada, the Air Passenger Protections Regulation (APPR) duplicates many of the same rights provided in EU261, as does the Israeli Aviation Services Law. In countries like Australia, there aren't laws for flight delay compensation, but basic duty-of-care rules are law. Here, they're just a suggestion that can be changed at any time. 

Family at airport waiting for flight in pandemic
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What Can We Do?

Make your voice heard. From now until Feb. 10, 2025, the Department of Transportation is asking for opinions about this proposal. You can read through the entire document and then click on “Submit a public comment” to add your two cents. This will get your point across and may change the rules. 

Back side of traveler with luggage standing over the flight board for check-in at the flight information screen in modern an airport, travel and transportation with technology concept.
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Wait, So This Isn't a Done Deal?

This is just a proposal for now. The commenting period will end after a new administration takes office, and that administration may be more interested in appeasing the airline industry than appeasing you.