Your entitlement to compensation depends on the jurisdiction and the specific reason for the disruption. Under EU/UK Regulation 261, you are generally entitled to fixed compensation if your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or if you are denied boarding due to overbooking. Compensation amounts range from €250 to €600 (£220 to £520) based on flight distance. However, you are not entitled to payment if the disruption was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" like severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security risks. In the United States, there is no federal law requiring cash compensation for delays; however, the Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates that airlines must provide refunds if a flight is significantly changed or cancelled and you choose not to travel. Always ask for a "written statement" of the reason for the delay at the gate to support any future claim, as technical faults within the airline's control are the most common grounds for successful compensation.