Freedom to Fly: These Rules Protect Your Trip in 2025

Air travel disruptions are an unfortunate reality of flying. Whether weather issues, staffing shortages, or mechanical problems, delayed and cancelled flights can throw a wrench in even the most carefully planned trips. 

But there’s good news too: thanks to new Department of Transportation (DOT) rules in 2024, airline passengers now have more rights and protections than ever.

Understanding these rights – and knowing exactly how to exercise them – can make the difference between being stranded at the airport and getting efficiently rebooked, or between receiving a voucher and getting your money back. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what you’re entitled to when your flight is delayed or cancelled, and share insider tips on handling these situations like a pro.

Your Rights for Flight Delays

As noted on the Department of Transportation’s website, airlines don’t (some would say they can’t) guarantee their flight schedules. Understanding this is important when planning your trip and booking a flight.

Put simply, many things make it impossible for flights to arrive on time. Some issues, like bad weather, air traffic delays, and staffing problems are hard to predict and often beyond the airlines’ control.

While anyone can understand the logic, no one likes being delayed. As a traveler, what can you do?

It helps when you’re facing a flight delay to know what your rights are. According to the Department of Transportation’s new rules, you’re entitled to:

Automatic Refunds When

• Domestic flight delays exceed 3 hours
• International flight delays exceed 6 hours
• Your refund must be processed within 7 business days
• Airlines must return money to your original payment method

Steps you can take when your flight is delayed

1. Screenshot all delay notifications
2. Save your boarding pass
3. Document all communication with the airline
4. Determine whether the delay is for a controllable situation or not (currently, the airlines make the initial determination – more on that below)
5. Check the airline cancellation and delay dashboard:
   1. Select your carrier
   2. Check the list of commitments

Most airlines will rebook you on the same or a partner airline at no additional cost. If the delay is greater than 3 hours, they may also provide meal vouchers or complimentary hotel accommodations. 

Power Move: How to dispute the airline

It’s probably not comforting that the airline gets to make the initial determination whether a delay is within its control, but you can challenge its decision through the US DOT’s complaint system or your credit card company.

When an airline claims the delay is “uncontrollable,” check the other flights around you. If other carriers are operating normally, you’ll want to show this. Take pictures of the airport departure boards immediately and screenshots of the current weather reports.

Your Rights for Cancelled Flights

According to recent DOT rules, airlines must now provide automatic cash refunds when they cancel your flight for any reason. This is a significant change from previous policies, where airlines offered flight vouchers first.

Similar to flight delays, it’s important to know your rights when your flight is cancelled. 

You can look up your rights on the US DOT website’s Consumer Guide to Air Travel. It’s a long read, but the content is well organized and easy to scan to understand the specifics. 

To see what the airline owes you if they cancel your flight, head on over to the Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard and select the name of your carrier to see the specific commitments by airline.

Your Basic Rights When Your Flight is Cancelled

• Rebooked on the same airline or a partner airline at no additional cost, OR
• Full refund to your original form of payment
• Refunds must be processed within 7 days for credit card payments
• Refunds must include all ancillary fees (baggage, seat selection, etc.)
• Airlines cannot force you to accept a voucher instead of a cash refund

Steps to Take When Your Flight is Cancelled

1. Document Everything
   • Save the cancellation notification
   • Screenshot your original booking details
   • Keep all communication with the airline
   • Note the reason given for cancellation
2. Know Your Options
   • You can accept a refund and book new travel arrangements
   • You can accept the airline’s rebooking offer
   • You can request rebooking on another carrier (many airlines have partnership agreements)

Additional Protections

Some airlines offer additional commitments for controllable cancellations that you can ask for:

• Complimentary hotel accommodations if you are facing an overnight cancellation (essentially, flying the following day)
• Complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel
• Meal vouchers when a cancellation results in a passenger waiting more than 3 hours for a new flight (6 hours for international flights)

The US government lets the airlines determine what their specific commitments to passengers stranded by cancellation are over and beyond the required rebooking or refund option.

How to Get Your Refund

If you choose a refund over rebooking, the process is supposed to be simple.

1. Automatic Process:
   • Airlines must now initiate refunds automatically
   • You should receive confirmation within 48 hours
   • Check your credit card or payment method within 7 days
2. If No Refund Appears:
   • Contact the airline’s customer service
   • File a complaint with DOT
   • Dispute the charge with your credit card company

Power Moves: Making the Most of the Situation

If you have airline status (or even if you don’t), here are strategic ways to improve your situation during delays and cancellations. Remember: politeness and patience with airline staff go a long way!

Always download the airline’s app before you travel because this is how you’ll get the most timely updates and information, plus access to talk with an agent while standing in line at the gate, trying to figure out what to do.

Here are some things all travelers can ask for, even if your status level with that airline isn’t that high:

• “Given the delay/cancellation, can you please check if there are any upgrade options on the next flight?”
• “Given the delay/cancellation, could you please provide lounge access – is that an option?”

And always say thank you!

Pro tip: Many lounges offer say passes at a discount rate for loyalty members or status holders, and some credit card holders. Check your airline app and/or travel credit cards to see if you have any day pass options.

Travel insurance tip: Save all your receipts for a flight delay reimbursement claim.