US flight delays
Flight delay compensation in the US: what airlines may owe you
US flight delays are frustrating because the answer depends on the airline, the cause, the itinerary, and what the airline promised. Start by separating a refund question from a care-and-expenses question.
a delay does not always mean an automatic cash payment
Refunds, rebooking, and expenses are different
A long delay may lead to a rebooking option, a refund in certain situations, or documented expenses that the airline chooses to cover. Weather, crew, aircraft, and air-traffic causes can change the answer.
Save the original itinerary, delay notices, boarding passes, receipts, and the final arrival time. Those facts matter more than a generic compensation calculator.
Build your evidence while the trip is fresh
Screenshot the airline app, photograph the departure board, and request the reason for the delay in writing. Then use the TravelRightsPro scan to organize the next message and evidence checklist.
Does every US flight delay qualify for money?
No. US rules and airline policies vary, and many delays do not create an automatic cash entitlement. The route, cause, fare, and evidence all matter.
What should I keep after a delay?
Keep boarding passes, delay messages, receipts, rebooking details, and the actual arrival time.