# [Flight delayed or canceled? What the airline actually owes you](https://trymumm.com/guides/flight-delay-compensation)

> Keep your booking details, disruption notice and receipts. Check the rights that apply to your route and operating airline, then request the refund, rerouting or assistance that fits your situation. Refunds, expense reimbursement and fixed compensation are separate requests.

- **Updated:** 2026-07-20
- **Category:** Travel
- **Read time:** 8 min

## EU and UK passenger-rights claims

EU passenger-rights rules cover qualifying flights and distinguish delay, cancellation and denied boarding. Eligibility and payment depend on the route, operating carrier, notice, arrival delay and circumstances. Use the European Commission’s Your Europe guidance for your itinerary and the UK’s own guidance for UK claims.

## US flights: refunds and duty of care

For a canceled or significantly changed US flight, check DOT refund eligibility before accepting replacement travel or a voucher. Meal, hotel and transport assistance depend on the airline’s commitments and the circumstances; use the DOT customer-service dashboard to check. Keep receipts and the airline’s response.

## Ask for rebooking options

Check the airline’s app and contact its support team for rebooking options. Ask about a specific alternative flight or partner airline and confirm the terms before buying replacement travel. Keep your original itinerary and the airline’s response.

## Filing the compensation claim

Submit the claim to the operating airline with your booking reference, flight number, arrival time and supporting receipts. Keep the response and ask the airline to address any missing explanation. Use the relevant passenger-rights review channel if the dispute remains unresolved.

## Questions people actually ask



## Does weather kill my EU261 claim?

Ask the airline to explain the disruption and its evidence if it rejects compensation. Compare that explanation with the passenger-rights rules for your flight. Use the relevant enforcement or dispute-resolution channel if the explanation does not address your claim.

## Can I get both a refund and EU261 compensation?

A refund, rerouting, fixed compensation and expense reimbursement address different parts of a disruption. Check the route’s applicable rules and the travel option you accepted. List each request separately with its supporting records.

## The airline offered a voucher instead of a refund — take it?

Compare the voucher’s value, expiry and restrictions with an eligible refund. If you choose a refund, request the original payment method and keep confirmation. DOT guidance lists different refund timelines for credit-card payments and other payment methods.

## What about delays that cause a missed connection?

Keep the complete itinerary and ask the operating airline about rerouting and assistance after a missed connection. A single booking and separate tickets can carry different protections. Check the applicable passenger-rights rules against your route and final arrival time.

## Related

- [How to negotiate a hotel rate \(and get the perks for free\)](https://trymumm.com/guides/negotiate-hotel-rate)
- [How to negotiate resort fees and hotel extras](https://trymumm.com/guides/resort-fee-negotiation)