The Essentials

What Are Your Rights If Your Flight Gets Delayed?

We’ve just experienced a summer of large numbers of flight delays and cancellations. And it raises the question once again as to what your rights are if you’re stuck at an airport.

 

And the answers vary with each airline.

 

If your flight is delayed and doesn’t board until midnight on the day you were supposed to arrive, American Airlines will provide hotel rooms.

 

What about just a delay? JetBlue will give you $50 to $200, depending on the length of the delay.

 

But if you booked through a third party website like Travelocity or Expedia, you may have to wait longer. Keep in mind that these are the official figures given by airlines. If you have mega frequent flyer status, the compensation can be considerably higher. But if the delay or cancellation was caused by weather — either at your departing airport or the airport where your plane was departing from to come get you — all bets are off.