Yes, you can sue an airline, but your legal standing depends on the nature of your grievance and the specific laws of the country where the incident occurred. In 2026, many passengers pursue legal action through Consumer Courts for "deficiency in service," which includes extreme delays, arbitrary cancellations, or lost baggage. Under the Consumer Protection Act (especially in regions like India), a flight ticket is viewed as a "contract for service," and failure to uphold this contract can lead to court-awarded compensation for "mental agony" ranging from $300 to over $6,000. However, for international flights, the Montreal Convention limits an airline's liability for delays unless you can prove willful misconduct. Before suing, you are typically required to exhaust the airline's internal grievance process and official government platforms like AirSewa. Lawsuits are most successful when you have documented proof of financial loss or severe negligence that goes beyond standard operational issues.