Do U.S. airlines have to pay compensation for delays?

No. There's no federal requirement to pay cash compensation for delays or cancellations; a 2024 proposal to add one was withdrawn in 2025. You're owed a refund if you don't travel, and whatever your airline's own policy promises.

How long does a delay have to be for a refund in the U.S.?

Three hours or more for a domestic flight, or six or more for an international one, if you choose not to travel. A cancellation qualifies whatever the length.

Can the airline give me a voucher instead of a refund?

Only if you agree to it. The refund rule requires cash back to your original payment method by default.

Passenger rights · 2026

U.S. DOT refund rules

U.S. law doesn't require cash compensation for delays or cancellations, but if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed and you don't travel, the airline owes you an automatic cash refund, and bag fees come back if your bag is badly delayed.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

What you're owed

Flight cancelled and you don't accept the alternative: Full cash refund, automatically
Departure or arrival changed by 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international): Cash refund if you don't travel
Checked bag not delivered within 12 hours (domestic) or 15–30 hours (international): Bag fee refunded, once you report it
Paid for Wi-Fi, a seat or another extra you didn't get: Refund of that fee

Which flights: Flights to, from and within the United States on U.S. airlines, and on foreign airlines for flights to or from the U.S.

Status in 2026: In force. The automatic refund rule took effect in late 2024 and is still on the books. A proposal to require cash compensation for delays was withdrawn in November 2025, so there's no federal compensation requirement.

What counts as a significant change

•Departing or arriving three or more hours from the original schedule on a domestic itinerary, or six or more internationally.
•A different departure or arrival airport, or an extra connection.
•A downgrade to a lower class of service, or connections at airports that don't fit your needs if you have a disability.

How refunds work

Refunds go back to your original form of payment, not as vouchers or credits unless you choose them: within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 days for other payment methods.

What airlines promise beyond the law

Most big U.S. airlines commit in their customer service plans to meal vouchers for long delays and hotel rooms for overnight cancellations when the cause is within their control. Those promises are enforceable, so check your airline's plan before you accept less.

The 24-hour rule

If you book at least seven days before departure, you can cancel within 24 hours for a full refund (or the airline can offer a free 24-hour hold instead).

FAQ

Flight cancelled and you don't accept the alternative: Full cash refund, automatically; Departure or arrival changed by 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international): Cash refund if you don't travel; Checked bag not delivered within 12 hours (domestic) or 15–30 hours (international): Bag fee refunded, once you report it; Paid for Wi-Fi, a seat or another extra you didn't get: Refund of that fee.

Other passenger rights rules

EU261 (European Union) UK261 (United Kingdom) Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. The official text and enforcement bodies have the final word.

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