Does Delta owe cash compensation for a delayed domestic flight?

No — US airlines including Delta are not federally required to pay cash compensation for delays on domestic routes. A November 2025 DOT proposal that would have mandated this was withdrawn. Delta does offer voluntary amenities (meals, hotel for overnight delays) for controllable disruptions per its Customer Commitment.

Can EU261 apply to American Airlines or United flights?

Yes, if the flight departs from an EU/EEA airport — e.g. a United flight from Frankfurt to New York qualifies for EU261 compensation. A flight from New York to Frankfurt on United does not, because it departs a non-EU airport on a non-EU carrier.

Airline guide · US carriers

American, Delta, United: what you're actually owed for a delay

The short version: less than you'd get in Europe, because the US doesn't have EU261. Here's what the law actually requires, what each carrier voluntarily offers, and when EU261 still applies.

Verified · DOT source · checked Jun 2026 US airlines are not federally required to pay fixed cash compensation for delays — only refunds for cancelled or significantly changed flights. A DOT rulemaking that would have mandated $200-775 delay compensation was proposed and then withdrawn in November 2025. There is no equivalent of EU261 for purely domestic US travel.

Important — also verified Jun 2026 A confirmed DOT position: accepting a meal voucher or hotel accommodation during a delay does NOT waive your right to a refund if the flight is ultimately cancelled or significantly changed. Airlines sometimes imply otherwise. Accept the amenities, then separately request your refund if you choose not to travel.

What DOT actually requires (all three carriers)

A full refund to the original payment method if your flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you choose not to travel. "Significant" means: departure or arrival time changed 3+ hours domestically (6+ hours internationally), a different departure or arrival airport, more connections added, or a service-class downgrade.

Beyond refunds, the three carriers have all voluntarily committed to meals for delays of 3+ hours due to controllable causes, and hotel accommodation for overnight delays within their control — check each airline's customer service dashboard on the DOT website for their current specific commitments, as these are voluntary and can change.

When EU261 still applies to these carriers

Scenario	EU261 applies?
Delta/United/American flight departing from an EU/EEA airport	Yes — departure country triggers EU261 regardless of airline nationality
Delta/United/American flight arriving in EU from a non-EU airport	No — non-EU carrier, non-EU departure
Codeshare operated by a European airline on a US carrier ticket	Depends on the operating carrier and departure airport — check who actually operated the flight

Denied boarding (bumping)

This is the one area where US rules do mandate cash compensation — if you're involuntarily bumped from an overbooked domestic flight, you're owed 200% of your one-way fare (up to $775) if the airline gets you there 1-2 hours late, or 400% (up to $1,550) for longer delays. This applies to all three carriers. Voluntary bumping compensation is negotiable and often higher.

Flying from a European airport on one of these carriers?

EU261 may well apply — check eligibility free in 60 seconds.

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