Flight Cancellation Compensation

Flight cancellations can be frustrating for passengers, disrupting travel plans and causing inconvenience. However, you have certain rights as a passenger and may be eligible for compensation in such situations. In this article we will discuss the rights of passengers when a domestic flight is canceled in the United States and when flights to or from Europe are canceled.

We will also delve into the amount of compensation passengers can receive for canceled flights in Europe and the proposed regulations by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, which aim to provide similar passenger rights and airline compensation for canceled flights in the United States.

Passenger rights for domestic flight cancellations in the US

When a domestic flight is canceled in the United States passengers have certain rights and may be eligible for compensation. Airlines are generally required to rebook passengers on the next available flight to their destination at no additional cost.

If the airline fails to provide reasonable rebooking options, passengers may be entitled to compensation under airline passenger rights regulations.

Right to notification: Airlines are required to promptly notify passengers about flight cancellations. This notification should inform passengers of the cancellation reason and provide alternative options, such as rebooking or receiving a refund.
Right to rebooking or refund: In the event of a flight cancellation, passengers have the right to choose between being rebooked on the next available flight or receiving a refund for the unused portion of their ticket. The choice between rebooking and a refund is entirely up to the passenger.
Right to compensation (in some cases): Unlike EU regulations, there is currently no specific compensation requirement for flight cancellations within the United States, except for instances related to denied boarding due to overselling of tickets. However, it is always advisable to consult with the airline’s policies or contact the DOT for any potential compensation eligibility.

If your domestic flight is cancelled, check the airlines’ policy. We examined a broad range of major carriers, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest.

Cancelled flights to or from Europe (EU261)

In Europe, passengers enjoy enhanced protection through EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261), which establishes comprehensive airline passenger rights for flight cancellations.

US passengers traveling to Europe on EU airlines are entitled to compensation for flight cancellations, but not if they fly on US carriers. However, US passengers traveling back from Europe to the US are entitled to compensation, regardless of the airline they fly. You have the same protection as EU passengers.

If your flight is cancelled departing from an EU airport or arriving at an EU airport on an EU carrier, you are generally entitled to flight cancellation compensation. EU261 provides guidelines on the amount of compensation passengers can receive for cancelled flights based on the flight distance and the length of the delay caused by the cancellation.

Flight cancellation compensation amounts under EU261

Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261), passengers are entitled to compensation for cancelled flights, ranging from $273 to $655 per passenger, depending on the flight distance..

For flights up to 932 miles, the compensation is $273.
For flights between 932 miles and 2,175 miles, the compensation is $437.
For flights over 2,175 miles, the compensation is $655.

The dollar amount varies depending on the current rate.

American passengers are also entitled to compensation if flights in Europe are canceled. For example, if you were to fly from Rome to Amsterdam and your flight is canceled, you would also be entitled to compensation under EU261.

To apply for compensation, we recommend contacting EUclaim.

Proposed passenger rights in the United States

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg are working to implement new regulations that would provide American passengers with greater protections and compensation in the event of flight cancellations.

These regulations would be similar to those in the European Union, where passengers are entitled to compensation for canceled flights. The DOT has not yet announced when these rules will take effect, but we will keep you updated here as more information becomes available.

What are my rights if my domestic flight is cancelled?

If your domestic flight is cancelled, you have the right to:

A full refund of your ticket price
A rebooking on the next available flight to your final destination, at no additional cost
Assistance with accommodation and meals if your rebooked flight departs the next day or later

I’m an American traveling in Europe, does EU261 apply to me?

Yes, EU261 applies to you if you are traveling EU-to-EU by plane, regardless of your nationality and regardless of the origin of the airline. You are entitled to compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed, as long as the airline is responsible for the disruption.

My flight from the USA to Europe is cancelled, what are my rights?

You are protected by EU261 as long as you are traveling on an EU airline. It does not matter where you are from or where you are flying to.

EU261 does not apply when flying with a US carrier to Europe.

My flight from Europe to the USA is cancelled, what are my rights?

Yes, your rights are protected by EU law EU261. It doesn’t matter which airline you are flying with, either from Europe or a different part of the world, you are eligible for compensation up to $655.

How do I claim compensation under EU261?

To claim compensation under EU261, you should first contact the airline. If the airline refuses to compensate you, or simply doesn’t offer a way to claim, we advise to contact Euclaim.