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- What Are Your Rights If Your Flight is Delayed or Cancelled
What Are Your Rights If Your Flight is Delayed or Cancelled
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One of my friends was scheduled to fly to Japan but he was delayed 10 hours because a typhoon was going to hit Tokyo. We started to wonder what are his rights and options in this situation. Little did I know what a can of worms we were opening. It seems that the Department of Transportation has rules for cancellation of flights but no real rules for delays. There are a different set of rules for flight cancellations and delays based upon controllable and non-controllable situations. Also, if you are flying to Europe, another set of rules kicks in. Leaving that Europe aside, I decided to focus on the US based rules in order to understand the rights of flyers.
Delays and cancellations arising from storms and other weather incidents do not automatically entitle passengers to compensation from the airlines, because weather and air traffic control delays are seen by the Department of Transportation as largely out of carriers' control (and are called non-controllable delays or cancellations). The Department of Transportation publishes the Airlines Commitment to its Passengers here.
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Controllable Cancelations
We start with the premise that if a flight is cancelled then you are entitled to refund of the price you paid for the ticket. That will not help you if you still want to go to your destination. For controllable situations, most of the US Airlines have committed to help you rebook on their airline and other airlines without additional costs (there are exceptions of course). You can also receive complementary food, hotel stays and transportation from most US Airlines. You may be entitled to some additional credit on one or more airlines. If you want to maximize your compensation, it pays to be a frequent flyer member of the airline. The airlines tend to be more generous to their frequent flyer members. Here are the US Airline guidelines for controllable cancellations:
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Controllable Delays
As for delays, the Department of Transportation leaves it pretty much up to the individual airlines to handle and address their flyers demands and needs. The Department of Transportation only requires airlines to follow their published guidelines.
For controllable delays, most of the US Airlines have committed to help you rebook on their airline and others without additional costs (there are exceptions of course). You can also receive complementary food, hotel stays and transportation from most US Airlines. You may be eligible to additional credit on one or more airlines. If you want to maximize your compensation, it pays to be a frequent flyer member of the airline. The airlines tend to be more generous to their frequent flyer members. Here are the US Airline guidelines for controllable delays:
In Europe the rules are different and not just because it is Europe. They tend to be more traveler-friendly In general, for controllable delays, the laws require airlines to compensate passengers at least 250 Euros for delays of three hours or more, and up to 600 Euros for longer delays on long-distance flights.
If your flight is canceled or delayed, the first thing you need to do is to figure out your rights in that event. The following is a detailed airline specific guidelines as published on the Department of Transportation site to help you out should you be stuck in an airport.
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost
Meal or meal cash/voucher when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more for a new flight
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
American Airlines does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost
Meal or meal cash/voucher when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more for a new flight
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Delta Air Lines does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost
Meal or meal cash/voucher when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more for a new flight
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
JetBlue Airways does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost
Meal or meal cash/voucher when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more for a new flight
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Southwest Airlines does not commit to
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost
Meal or meal cash/voucher when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more for a new flight
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation
United Airlines does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Commitments for Controllable Delays
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Alaska Airlines does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Allegiant Air does not commit to
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
American Airlines does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Delta Air Lines does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Frontier Airlines does not commit to
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Hawaiian Airlines does not commit to
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
JetBlue Airways does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Southwest Airlines does not commit to
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Spirit Airlines does not commit to
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delay
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more
Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
United Airlines does not commit to
Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Credit/travel voucher when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
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