What US airlines owe you when a delay is their fault

For delays in the United States, no federal rule requires a fixed cash payment. What you get depends mostly on the cause of the delay and on what your airline has promised in its own customer service plan. If the airline caused the delay, the large US airlines have committed to some help, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) says it will hold them to those commitments. This guide explains how to find out what your airline promised and how to ask for it.

Why there is no fixed delay payment in the US

Canada sets fixed compensation amounts in its regulations. The US does not. In late 2024, DOT started exploring a rule that would have required airlines to pay passengers for disruptions they caused. In November 2025, it withdrew that proposal. As of October 2026, US delay rights still come from three places:

• Your airline's customer service plan, which federal rules require it to adopt and follow.

• Federal rules on refunds, tarmac delays and flight status updates.

• Your ticket contract, the airline's contract of carriage.

What "controllable" means

DOT describes a controllable delay or cancellation as one the airline caused. Its examples include:

• maintenance or crew problems

• cabin cleaning

• baggage loading

• fueling

Weather and air traffic control limits are usually not controllable. Two recent federal actions narrow the line further:

• December 2025: DOT said it will not treat delays caused by unscheduled maintenance required by an FAA airworthiness directive as within the airline's control for these commitments. An airworthiness directive is a mandatory safety order from the Federal Aviation Administration.

• September 2026: A new DOT rule, effective October 19, 2026, removes ten kinds of events from the "air carrier" delay cause that airlines report to DOT. They include severe-weather damage to aircraft, a passenger medical emergency, removing an unruly passenger, and certain government system outages. The rule covers reporting, but it may also change how airlines describe some delays to you.

What the dashboard shows

DOT publishes an Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard. It shows which commitments each large US airline has made for controllable delays and cancellations. A green check means the airline has committed to that service. A red X means it hasn't, though it may still help in some cases.

According to DOT, the largest US airlines have generally committed to free rebooking, meals and a hotel when they cause a cancellation or significant delay. The details differ by airline: which delays qualify, how long you must wait before a meal voucher, and whether rebooking on another airline is included. These commitments change. Check the dashboard and your airline's customer service plan on the day you travel instead of relying on a number you read elsewhere.

DOT also states that federal rules require airlines to keep the promises in their customer service plans. If an airline fails to, you can complain to DOT.

Rules that apply whatever the cause

Refunds. If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed and you choose not to travel, you can get a refund, even on a nonrefundable ticket. For domestic trips, a significant delay is 3 hours or more at arrival; for international trips, 6 hours or more.

Tarmac delays. Under 14 CFR Part 259, US airlines must give you the chance to get off the plane before a tarmac delay passes 3 hours on domestic flights or 4 hours on international flights, with exceptions for safety, security and air traffic control. They must offer food and water within 2 hours, keep lavatories working, and update you after 30 minutes.

Status updates. Airlines must update flight status within 30 minutes of learning about a delay of 30 minutes or more, a cancellation or a diversion, on their website, phone line and departure displays.

Example: a delay notice and what it leaves out

Sample text message, Northgate Air (synthetic):

NG 774 Chicago to Austin is delayed. New departure 21:50 (was 17:05). Reason: crew availability. We apologise for the inconvenience.

What to notice:

• "Crew availability" is a crew problem, which DOT's examples treat as controllable.

• The delay is 4 hours 45 minutes. If the arrival is 3 hours or more late, this domestic trip also counts as significantly delayed for refund purposes.

• The message doesn't mention meals, a hotel or rebooking. Check the airline's commitments on the dashboard, then ask at the counter or in the app.

What to do at the airport

1. Screenshot the reason. Airlines sometimes update the reason later. Keep the first version.

2. Check the dashboard. Look up your airline's controllable-delay commitments on DOT's page.

3. Ask staff directly. DOT itself suggests asking whether the airline will pay for meals or a hotel or compensate you for your time.

4. Keep receipts. If you pay for a meal, hotel or taxi yourself, keep every receipt and note the time.

5. Write down names and times. Note who you spoke to, when, and what they said.

6. Claim in writing afterward. Send the airline's customer relations team your booking code, the stated cause, the commitment you're relying on and your receipts.

Questions to ask the airline

• What was the specific cause of the delay, and was it within your control?

• What does your customer service plan commit to for this situation?

• Can you rebook me on another flight or a partner airline at no charge?

• Will you reimburse the meal, hotel or transport costs I paid?

• If I decide not to travel, how do I request my refund?

Have your delay notice decoded

EasyToDecode is launching soon. Upload the airline's delay message and your booking, and it will quote the stated cause, flag what the message doesn't say, and draft a claim letter that asks for the specific reason and the help your airline has committed to. You edit it and send it yourself. See how it works or join the waitlist.

Where to check

Use DOT's dashboard and each airline's customer service plan for current commitments, and 14 CFR Part 259 for tarmac and notification rules. Airlines can change their plans, so check the version in force on your travel date.