Air passenger rights: delays, cancellations and compensation
Last updated: July 2026 · General information, not legal advice. Rules change, verify with the official sources linked below.
European Union (EC 261)
Applies to any flight departing an EU airport (any airline), and to flights arriving in the EU on an EU airline. Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are included; the UK keeps a near-identical scheme of its own.
Cancellation with less than 14 days' notice, or arrival delayed 3+ hours: fixed compensation of €250 (flights up to 1,500 km), €400 (1,500-3,500 km) or €600 (over 3,500 km), unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air-traffic restrictions; ordinary technical faults usually do not count.
Right to care while you wait: meals, drinks, communication, and a hotel with transfers if you are delayed overnight, regardless of the cause.
Cancelled flight: your choice of a full refund within 7 days or re-routing to your destination.
United States (DOT rules)
No US law requires cash compensation for delays. Airlines' own policies (meals, hotels) vary; check your carrier's customer service plan.
Automatic refunds: when a flight is cancelled or significantly changed (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) and you do not accept the alternative offered, the airline must refund your ticket, and refund checked-bag fees if your bag is significantly delayed.
Denied boarding (overbooking): if you are bumped involuntarily, compensation runs up to 400% of the one-way fare depending on the length of the delay, with a dollar cap that is adjusted periodically.
Israel (Aviation Services Law)
Covers flights departing from or arriving in Israel. A cancelled flight, or a delay of 8+ hours, entitles you to fixed compensation by distance (roughly ₪1,500-₪3,200; the amounts are index-adjusted), plus assistance similar to the EU rules: food and drink from about 2 hours of delay, a refund or an alternative flight from 5 hours, and accommodation when an overnight stay is needed.
How to claim
Keep everything: boarding passes, receipts for meals and hotels, and the airline's written confirmation of the reason for the disruption.
Claim from the airline first, in writing. If refused, escalate to the national enforcement body (EU), the DOT complaint form (US), or small-claims court (Israel). Time limits vary by country, so do not wait.