The amount of flight delay compensation United States travelers can claim varies. There's a maximum of $700 (excluding accommodation and food costs, which airlines may have to cover). But even short delays can incur penalties of $200 or more.

Under current 2026 regulations like EU 261/2004 and the UK equivalent, you can receive up to €600 or £520 in cash compensation for a flight delay, depending on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay at your final destination. Specifically, for short-haul flights (under 1,500 km) with a delay of over 3 hours, you are entitled to €250. For medium-haul flights (1,500–3,500 km), the amount is €400. For long-haul international flights (over 3,500 km) delayed by more than 4 hours, the full €600 applies; however, if the delay is between 3 and 4 hours, this amount is halved to €300. In the United States, there is still no federal law mandating cash compensation for delays caused by "extraordinary circumstances" like weather, but under 2026 Department of Transportation rules, airlines are required to provide automatic refunds for significant delays (over 3 hours domestic, 6 hours international) if you choose not to travel. Additionally, airlines must provide "duty of care" benefits, including food vouchers and hotel accommodation, if the delay extends overnight, regardless of the cause.