How to Use the Flight Delay Compensation Calculator
Unlike the European Union, the United States has no federal law that requires airlines to pay cash compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. The Department of Transportation's rule only guarantees a full refund of your ticket if you decide not to travel after a cancellation or a significant schedule change — anything else, like meal vouchers, hotel stays, or rebooking assistance, is entirely up to each airline's own customer service policy.
If your trip involves a flight departing an EU airport, or one arriving in the EU on an EU-based carrier, the EC261 regulation applies instead and works very differently: it pays a fixed amount based only on flight distance once the delay reaches 3 hours, regardless of what fare you paid. This calculator lets you switch between the US refund-only scenario and the EU261 fixed-compensation scenario so you can see how differently the two systems treat the same delay.
Airlines can be excused from EC261 payouts for "extraordinary circumstances" such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security risks — mechanical issues generally do not qualify as an excuse. Always check your airline's official notice and keep your booking confirmation, since eligibility depends on the specific cause and documentation of the delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The US Department of Transportation does not mandate cash compensation for delays. Airlines only must refund your ticket if you choose not to travel after a cancellation or significant schedule change; anything beyond that (vouchers, meals, hotels) is up to each airline's own policy.
EC261 is an EU regulation covering flights departing an EU airport, or flights arriving in the EU on an EU-based carrier. It pays fixed compensation of €250-€600 based on flight distance when the delay is 3 hours or more, unless the airline can show extraordinary circumstances.