Delays, Cancellations & What You’re Owed

When a flight falls apart, knowing your rights is worth money and hours. Here’s what you’re actually owed for a delay or cancellation — with the U.S. DOT rules linked, and our live data for the rest.

Winter is peak disruption season, and most travelers leave money and rebooking leverage on the table because they don’t know the rules. Here’s what you’re owed — sourced to the U.S. Department of Transportation — plus our own live data for figuring out what’s actually happening.

General information — rules and policies change. Confirm current specifics with the relevant authority (your company, the airline, the government) or a professional. Where a public rule applies, its primary source is linked.

How do I find out why my flight is late?

Check the airline’s app first — it usually names the cause — and our live flight-delay tracker shows the FAA-driven delays across US airports in real time. Weather, air-traffic-control programs, and a late inbound aircraft are the usual culprits. See: the live flight-delay tracker.

Which airports have the most flight delays?

It shifts daily with the weather, and the big connecting hubs take the hardest hits when a system moves through. Our live tracker shows which US airports are delayed right now, and the airline scorecards rank carriers on real on-time performance from DOT data. See: airline reliability scorecards.

Am I owed a refund if my flight is cancelled?

Yes. Under DOT rules, if the airline cancels your flight — for any reason — and you choose not to travel, you’re entitled to a refund of the unused ticket, not just a travel voucher. Don’t let them steer you to a credit if you want your money back. Source: DOT — refunds ↗.

Do I get compensation for a delayed flight?

In the US there’s no federal requirement for cash compensation for a delay (unlike the EU). But if the airline significantly changes or cancels the flight and you don’t travel, you’re owed a refund — and for delays within the airline’s control, many carriers commit to meals and a hotel. Check what each airline promises. Source: DOT — airline customer service dashboard ↗.

Does the airline have to rebook me or put me up in a hotel?

It depends on the cause. For “controllable” disruptions (the airline’s fault — mechanical, crew), the major airlines have committed to rebooking and, for overnight delays, meals and a hotel; the DOT dashboard lists each airline’s commitments. For weather, rebooking is free but the extras are usually on you. Source: DOT — airline customer service dashboard ↗.

What happens if I miss a connection because of a delay?

If the delay was the airline’s, they rebook you on the next available flight at no charge — get on the app and the phone the moment you know, and check nearby airports. If it was weather, you’re still rebooked, but any hotel or meals may be on you. See: rebooking fast.

What is the airline customer service dashboard?

A DOT tool that shows, airline by airline, what each has committed to provide when a delay or cancellation is within its control — rebooking, meals, hotels, ground transport. It’s the fastest way to know what you can actually ask for at the counter. Source: DOT — airline customer service dashboard ↗.

What is the best way to rebook a cancelled flight fast?

Act in the first ten minutes: rebook in the app while you’re also on the phone or in line, and check partner airlines and nearby airports. Speed wins — the good seats vanish the moment a flight goes down. Know your rights first (a cancellation means a refund is on the table if you’d rather not travel). See: the full disruption playbook.

More answers for the road in the Field Guide.