Air passenger rights in the United States (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: U.S. federal rules require an automatic refund when a flight to, from or within the United States is cancelled or significantly changed or delayed, and set cash compensation only for involuntary denied boarding on oversold flights. There is no federal compensation for delays or cancellations. The U.S. Department of Transportation enforces the rules.

RuleWhat applies
Which flights are coveredDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flightsScheduled flights operated or marketed by U.S. or foreign air carriers to, from or within the United States, including itineraries with brief incidental foreign stopovers that are not a break in journey. [1]
Care and refund when a flight is delayedDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flightsAutomatic refund of the airfare and of unused ancillary service fees when a flight is cancelled or significantly changed or delayed and the passenger does not accept the alternative offered. A significant delay is a departure or arrival 3 hours or more later than scheduled on domestic itineraries, or 6 hours or more on international itineraries; changes of airport, more connections and a lower class of service also count. The refund is made in the original form of payment, within 7 business days for credit card payments and 20 calendar days for other payments. [1]
Care and refund when a flight is delayedDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights; Involuntary denied boarding (oversold flights)Compensation is due only for involuntary denied boarding from an oversold flight. Domestic: 200% of the one-way fare, up to USD 1,075, if the alternative transport arrives 1 to 2 hours after the original arrival time; 400% of the one-way fare, up to USD 2,150, for 2 hours or more or if no alternative is arranged. Flights from a U.S. airport on foreign air transportation: the same amounts for 1 to 4 hours and for 4 hours or more. No compensation if the alternative arrives within 1 hour. The caps are adjusted every two years for inflation. Applies to scheduled flights on aircraft with a designed capacity of 30 or more passenger seats. [2]
Care and refund when a flight is delayedDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights; Compensation for delay or cancellationFor domestic itineraries, airlines are not required by federal law to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled. On international itineraries, passengers may be able to recover expenses under Article 19 of the Montreal Convention by filing a claim with the airline. Whether meals or accommodation are provided is left to the airline. [3]
National enforcement bodyDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flightsU.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) [3]

Notes

  • Part 260 sets refund duties only; it does not require meals or accommodation.
  • The U.S. Department of Transportation has marked this guidance page as archived and states that some information may have been superseded.

Sources

  1. U.S. Government Publishing Office (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations): 14 CFR Part 260 - Refunds for Airline Fare and Ancillary Service Fees (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. U.S. Government Publishing Office (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations): 14 CFR Part 250 - Oversales (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection: Fly Rights: A Consumer Guide to Air Travel (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 October 2026; page marked archived by DOT) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.