Your hotel is booked, bags are packed and you’re ready for vacation. But when you get to the airport, your flight is delayed – or worse – canceled. According to the Wall Street Journal, 24% more passengers were involuntarily denied boarding, also known as being bumped from a flight, between October 2021 and September 2022 than in October 2018 to September 2019.1
While travel issues are never fun, you’re entitled to certain protections. Learn about your rights as a flyer and what you can do if you find yourself in one of these unfortunate situations.
Your flight is delayed.
Each airline has its own unique policy when it comes to delayed flights. Luckily, the Department of Transportation has developed a Customer Service Dashboard to show what each airline offers. Find your airline, then check the chart to see its policy. All ten major airlines guarantee a meal voucher if there is a delay of three hours or more, and nine out of 10 major airlines guarantee a hotel if there is an overnight delay.
Your flight is canceled.
According to the Department of Transportation, if your flight is canceled and you choose not to travel, you’re entitled to a refund, including baggage fees and seat assignment fees. If you do choose to still travel, most airlines will rebook you for free on the next flight, as long as there are still seats available. Your airline may book you on a different carrier if flights are full.
You’re bumped from your flight.
If you’re bumped from your flight, also known as being involuntarily denied boarding, you may be eligible for compensation. The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay. Per the Department of Transportation, for domestic travel, the compensation structure follows as such:
- 0-1 hour delay: no compensation.
- 1-2 hour delay: 200% of one-way fare, limited to a maximum payment of $775.
- Over 2-hour delay: 400% of one-way fare, limited to a maximum payment of $1,550.
For international travel, the compensation structure follows as such:
- 0-1 hour delay: no compensation.
- 1-4 hour delay: 200% of one-way fare, limited to a maximum payment of $775.
- Over 4-hour delay: 400% of one-way fare, limited to a maximum payment of $1,550.
When this happens, airlines are required to give you compensation at the airport on the same day. If the airline provides other transportation options that leave the airport before you can be paid, they must pay you within 24 hours.
Your luggage is delayed.
You made it safely to your destination, but your luggage is missing. Per the Department of Transportation, airlines are responsible for finding your missing bags. You should file a baggage claim with the airline as soon as possible and stay in close communication with them until your bags are found.
Before flying, it’s important to take a photo of the inside and outside of your baggage. If your luggage gets lost, your airline is responsible for paying for any actual and reasonable expenses while your bags are delayed. For domestic flights, the maximum liability amount for lost baggage is $3,800 per passenger.
If you experience one of these events and have problems resolving the issue with the airline, be sure to file an Air Travel Service Complaint or Comment Form. And if you’re an ARAG legal plan member and find yourself needing to take legal action, contact Customer Care to start a case with ARAG. A network attorney can provide the help you need when dealing with a consumer protection issue, such as flight issues.
1 Airlines Are Bumping a Lot More Passengers Lately, Allison Pohle, Jan. 19, 2023. https://www.wsj.com/articles/oversold-flights-bump-involuntary-voluntary-vouchers-11674067731
