Can I get compensation for a flight delay in the U.S.?

Unlike in the EU (where EC 261/2004 mandates cash compensation of 250-600 euros for delays over 3 hours), U.S. law does not require airlines to pay cash compensation for flight delays. There is no federal law that entitles you to money simply because your flight was late.

What you ARE entitled to: the DOT's 2026 rules require airlines to provide automatic refunds for significant delays (defined as 3+ hours for domestic flights and 6+ hours for international) if you choose not to travel. Airlines must also follow their own customer service commitment plans, which typically include meal vouchers for delays over 2-3 hours and hotel accommodations for overnight delays caused by controllable issues (mechanical, crew, IT).

How to maximize what you get: check if your flight qualifies under EU rules (flights departing from EU airports to the U.S. on any airline, or flights from the U.S. to the EU on EU-based airlines). Check your credit card's travel protection benefits — many premium cards provide $300-500 per person for delays over 6-12 hours. Ask the airline for meal/hotel vouchers at the gate. And always document the delay with timestamps and photos for future claims.