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Under US airline passenger rights, USA travelers are protected against denied boarding and luggage issues. But unfortunately, for other types of disruption, flight rights in the USA are limited. That’s why passengers frequently make use of stronger laws like Europe’s EC 261 to claim compensation for cancellations and delays.
Wherever you were flying, the Compensation Check Tool will tell you what you are owed in just a few minutes.
Flight compensation under air passenger rights USA
What are US air passenger rights?
Unlike the EU and Canada, the USA does not have one regulation that covers all air passenger rights. In fact, much of passenger protection is based on contract law. In plain language that means you’re protected by whatever airline passenger rights the USA airline has written into their Conditions of Carriage or Terms & Conditions. So, be sure to read those documents carefully!
Without a base level of protection set by national law, Conditions of Carriage vary from airline to airline, but most do not directly give passengers rights to compensation for issues like long delays or cancellations. Airlines may be persuaded to offer compensation as a gesture of goodwill, but passengers need to make a strong case for it.
There are also several unique laws we recommend US travelers are aware of when they fly. For example, US laws do ensure passengers receive compensation if they are denied boarding due to overbooking. You also have rights if your plane is ever stuck on the tarmac, and if a US airline damages, loses, or delays your baggage.
What compensation can I get?
Passengers in the US are entitled to compensation if the airline denies boarding, or “bumps” them from a flight. Whilst airlines are allowed to overbook their flights (that is, sell more seats than they have available) the law says they have to pay passengers up to $1,350 in compensation if they subsequently don’t have a seat from them on the flight. This compensation should be paid to passengers directly at the airport, to ensure there’s no wait.
We frequently help US passengers claim up to $650 (€600) for delays and cancellations under international laws like Europe’s EC 261. However, if you were flying domestically it is still sometimes possible to get compensation for delays and last-minute cancellations even though there is no US air passenger law covering them. That’s because some airlines can be persuaded to offer compensation in the form of vouchers, air miles, or discounts as a goodwill gesture.
If you’ve had a delayed or canceled US flight, try our Compensation Check Tool. We’ll ask some details about what happened, and let you know if there’s a good chance we can get a payment from the airline for you.
Passenger bill of rights USA: in detail
Denied boarding laws in the USA
In the US it is fairly common for airlines to sell more tickets than there are seats on a plane — a practice known as overbooking. Usually, it isn’t a problem because not all passengers actually show up for the flight. However if all passengers do check in, the airline will have to refuse some of them — this is a denied boarding due to overbooking.
Because overbooking is a common practice in the USA, there are strong laws in place ensuring passengers are properly compensated. If you are denied boarding in the US you could be entitled to up to $1,350 overbooking compensation.
Additionally, the airline is required to book you on another flight as soon as possible, free of charge.
These laws don’t only apply to US citizens — any passenger, flying with any airline on a flight that departs from a United States airport is owed this compensation.
Airlines should explain and offer the compensation when you are denied boarding. If the airline hasn’t paid you compensation, and you didn’t voluntarily give up your seat, we can help you get the money you are owed.
Tarmac delays
While US laws do not address delayed flights in general, there are laws concerning what happens when your flight is delayed after passengers have boarded. Passengers aren’t entitled to compensation, but there are strict rules to ensure they receive proper care. It’s a complex topic so we’ve written a blog post covering all your rights for US tarmac delays.
Luggage issues on US domestic flights
Passengers on US flights have clear rights to be reimbursed when it comes to damaged, delayed, and lost bags, which apply when you’re flying between US cities. Find out exactly what you’re entitled to on our delayed baggage compensation page.
Claiming under US flight laws with AirHelp
AirHelp may be able to help if:
You were denied boarding because of overbooking and didn’t receive compensation.
You were on a US domestic flight which was delayed over 4 hours.
The flight was within the last 3 years.
Why AirHelp?
Airline Passenger Rights in the United States
What are US air passenger rights?
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has established a set of rules granting air passengers various rights in the event of flight disruptions—such as delays, cancellations, or overbookings.
While the DOT does not require airlines to compensate passengers for delays and cancellations, it does ensure rights like rebooking on alternative flights, ticket refunds, and assistance at the airport. For denied boarding due to overbooking, however, airlines are required to compensate passengers, and specific protections are also in place for tarmac delays.
Passenger Rights for Flight Delays and Cancellations in the US
If your flight is delayed or canceled, airlines are required to assist. Here’s what you’re entitled to based on the type of disruption:
Flight Cancellation: Right to rebooking at no extra cost or a full refund, even for non-refundable tickets.
Significant Delay: Airlines must provide a refund if you choose not to travel due to the delay.
What Qualifies as a Significant Delay?
Until recently, the DOT didn’t have a specific definition for a significant delay, evaluating each situation on a case-by-case basis. In 2024, new regulations have been introduced to clarify passenger rights. Below is the definition of a significant delay that requires airlines to refund passengers:
Domestic Flights: Delays of three hours or more.
International Flights: Delays of six hours or more.
Under these new rules, airlines must automatically issue refunds to eligible passengers within 7 to 20 business days. You are entitled to a refund if you choose not to fly, either by not waiting for the delayed plane or by declining the airline's rebooking offer on another flight.
Denied Boarding and Overbooked Flights
Airlines in the US are more likely to overbook their flights than airlines in Europe. Consequently, there are strong laws in place governing your right to be compensated. If you are denied boarding due to overbooking in the US you could be entitled to up to $1,550 compensation. See our advice on overbooked flights for more information and the table below for compensation details:
| Flight Type | Delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 0 to 1 hours | ❌ |
| Domestic | 1 to 2 hours | 200% of the one-way fare, up to a maximum of $775 |
| Domestic | More than 2 hours | 400% of the one-way fare, up to a maximum of $1550 |
| International | 0 to 1 hours | ❌ |
| International | 1 to 4 hours | 200% of the one-way fare, up to a maximum of $775 |
| International | More than 4 hours | 400% of the one-way fare, up to a maximum of $1550 |
Tarmac delays
After a tarmac delay of two hours, passengers must be provided with food, water, operational lavatories, and medical care (medical care only if needed). DOT rules also ensure passengers have the right to deplane after certain wait times:
Domestic Flights: Passengers have the right to leave the plane if a tarmac delay exceeds three hours.
International Flights: This right extends to four hours for international flights.
The rules above do not apply in the following circumstances:
We recommend you read our blog about lengthy tarmac delays so you know your rights if it happens to you.
Luggage issues on US domestic flights
Passengers on US flights have several rights when it comes to banged-up, delayed, and lost bags. We go into a lot more detail on our baggage compensation page.
The 24-Hour Refund Rule
DOT regulations require that if an airline ticket is purchased at least 7 days before the flight’s scheduled departure, the airline must allow the passenger to:
cancel their booking within 24 hours of purchase without incurring any financial penalties; or alternatively,
hold the ticket at the quoted fare without payment for 24 hours.
For more information, read our article dedicated to the 24-Hour Refund Rule.
Which Flights are Covered by US Regulations?
The US tarmac delay regulations apply to any flight departing from or flying to a US airport, while boarding denial regulations apply to flights with US carriers originating in the United States.
The US laws regarding luggage problems deal with domestic flights with US carriers between US cities. International flights originating in the United States are covered by the Montreal Convention, in most cases.