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Have you ever found yourself stuck at an airport, unsure of when you’ll finally take off? There’s a lesser-known regulation that could alleviate some of your travel woes. Travel authority Katy Nastro from Going.com highlights that after a certain delay period, airlines are obliged to assist passengers, potentially offering a refund or rebooking.
Based in Greensboro, N.C., Katy Nastro explains that if your flight experiences a considerable delay or is canceled, regardless of whether it’s due to weather or operational reasons, you are entitled to options. “If you decide not to travel because of a significant delay or cancellation, you can request a refund or opt for a rebooking on the same airline,” Nastro advises.
But what exactly qualifies as a “significant delay”? For domestic flights in the U.S., it’s any delay exceeding three hours. For international flights, the threshold is six hours. Once these limits are surpassed, federal regulations come into play.
Nastro points out, “No matter the cause of the delay, you’re entitled to one of these options. However, unlike some other countries, the U.S. does not mandate additional compensation beyond a refund or rebooking. Passengers must choose between a refund and a new flight, as they cannot receive both.”
“Regardless of the reason behind it, you are entitled to either option,” Nastro said. “Unfortunately, in the U.S. we don’t have compensation on top of a new flight. You can’t get both a refund and a rebooking — you have to choose.”
When it comes to meals and hotel rooms, every major airline offers a meal voucher once your delay hits three hours if it’s because of a reason the airline can control like staffing. But not every airline offers a hotel if the delay stretches overnight. Ahead of 2025 holiday travel, the Department of Transportation published a breakdown of what each airline promises during controllable delays or cancellations. Controllable delays include issues like mechanical problems or staffing — anything the airline can manage, not weather.
Here’s what travelers can expect:
Alaska Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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 cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
- Frequent flyer miles when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Alaska Airlines does not commit to
- Cash compensation when a cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Allegiant Air’s Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Allegiant Air 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
- 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
American Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Delta Air Lines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Frontier Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Frontier Airlines does not commit to
- Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost
- 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
- 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
Hawaiian Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
- Frequent flyer miles when delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
Hawaiian Airlines does not commit to
- Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
JetBlue Airways’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Southwest Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Spirit Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Spirit 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
- 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
United Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Cancellations
- 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
Alaska Airlines’ 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
Allegiant Air’s Commitments for Controllable Delays
- 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
American Airlines’ 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
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
Delta Air Lines’ 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
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
Frontier Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Delays
- 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
Hawaiian Airlines’ 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
Hawaiian Airlines does not commit to
- Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time
JetBlue Airways’ 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
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
Southwest Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Delays
- 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
Spirit Airlines’ Commitments for Controllable Delays
- 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
United Airlines’ 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
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