Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
How to Actually Get Money Back When Your Flight Gets Delayed Traveling Between the US and the EU
Moneymagpie Team
19th Jan 2026
Travel delays can turn an exciting trip into a stressful ordeal. Whether you are flying from the United States to the European Union or returning home, there is a chance your flight could be delayed or even cancelled. Many travelers wonder if they can get money back when this happens. The good news is that under certain conditions you can receive refunds or payments for your trouble. This article will guide you through what rights you have as an international traveler, how to make a claim, and what steps you need to take to improve your chances of success.
Understanding your rights before you travel can save you time, frustration, and possibly money. The rules that apply can vary depending on where your flight originates, the airline you are flying with, and the reasons for the delay. For example flights that begin in the EU or are operated by EU airlines are covered by EU regulations that can entitle you to compensation. Knowing what applies to your situation will help you take action with confidence when disruptions occur.
- Basic Rights When Flights Are Delayed
- EU Regulation That Can Pay You
- What About Flights From the US?
- Keeping Records Makes Claims Easier
- Submitting a Claim the Right Way
- Using a Third Party Service
- What Happens When the Airline Refuses
- Tips to Increase Your Chances
- Conclusion
Basic Rights When Flights Are Delayed
Flight delays are annoying but most airlines provide some form of support when things go wrong. At a minimum you are normally entitled to information about the cause of a delay, meals or hotel accommodation if relevant and rebooking on a later flight. These basic provisions come from airline policies and international standards set by the International Air Transport Association.
Beyond those basic rights you may be entitled to financial reimbursement. That is where legal frameworks such as EU rules come into play. Keep in mind that flights between the US and the EU can be governed by more than one set of rules. If your journey starts in the EU or if you are flying on an EU carrier, you often have stronger protections.
EU Regulation That Can Pay You
When flying from an EU airport to the United States or returning to the EU on an EU airline, EU Regulation 261 applies. This rule protects passengers on flights that are departing from an EU country and flights operated by EU carriers arriving in the EU. It sets out specific conditions under which you may receive financial compensation for delays.
To be eligible you generally need to arrive at your final destination three hours or more after your scheduled arrival time. You also need to prove that the delay was within the airline’s control. If the cause was extraordinary circumstances such as a sudden weather event or a security threat, the airline may not owe compensation. But technical faults with the plane or operational issues often qualify.
In simple terms this means if you fly from Paris to New York on an EU airline and land hours late because of a mechanical fault you may be owed compensation. That compensation amount is fixed based on the distance of the flight. Transatlantic flights typically fall into the highest category so the payout can be significant compared to domestic flight delay policies in the United States.
To claim under this law you will need to submit a written complaint to the airline after your trip. The airline will respond with a decision. If they refuse and you believe you are entitled, you can take the complaint to a national enforcement body in the EU country where the delay occurred.
What About Flights From the US?
Flights that start in the United States on a non EU carrier are not covered by EU Regulation 261. That means if you fly from New York to London on a US airline and the flight is delayed by five hours because of crew scheduling problems, the EU rule does not apply. Instead you must look to the airline’s own contract of carriage and to any other applicable international agreements.
Airline contracts of carriage are binding terms airlines agree to with passengers when tickets are purchased. Many include provisions for meal vouchers or rebooking assistance when delays occur. Some airlines offer more generous policies to frequent flyer members or to passengers in premium cabins. You will need to read the contract of carriage for the airline you are flying to understand what you may be entitled to.
In the US there is no federal law that requires airlines to pay you money directly because of a flight delay. The US Department of Transportation mandates that airlines must provide refunds for cancelled flights or significant schedule changes if you choose not to travel. But there is no equivalent federal requirement for paying you money just because the flight was late.
United States passengers can still pursue compensation from airlines directly under the terms of the contract of carriage, through informal negotiations, or through legal action if they believe the contract was breached. For example if the airline promises a credit for a delay of a certain length and does not provide it, you may have grounds for enforcement.
Keeping Records Makes Claims Easier
If your flight is delayed and you think you might want compensation you should start by documenting everything. Write down the scheduled departure and arrival times. Take photographs of the flight information screens. Keep any boarding passes and record any announcement about the delay that is provided by airline staff.
When a flight is delayed for many hours collect all receipts for meals, accommodation or transportation you purchase because of the disruption. Airlines in some jurisdictions may reimburse these out of pocket costs if the delay was within their control. If you file a claim for reimbursement stressing that you have supporting receipts increases your chances of success.
Always ask for written confirmation from the airline at the airport. Many carriers have forms for service recovery. Get a copy of any paperwork you fill out. If staff refuse to provide written documentation, make a note of names, times and any dialog. This will help when you escalate the claim later.
Submitting a Claim the Right Way
If you believe you are owed compensation under EU rules or under the airline’s own policies, you should file a claim directly with the airline as soon as possible. Most airlines offer online forms or email addresses for customer care. Make sure to include your flight number, booking reference, date of travel and detailed explanations of the delay.
When claiming under EU Regulation you should explicitly state that you are claiming flight delay compensation under EU law and provide evidence of your arrival time. Provide copies of receipts and the written documentation you collected at the airport. Airlines sometimes delay responses so do not expect an immediate answer.
If the airline denies the claim or does not respond within a reasonable time you have options. In Europe you can escalate to a national enforcement body in the EU country where the flight began. In the US you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. Some travelers also choose to pursue small claims court against the airline if the amount is significant.
Using a Third Party Service
Many travelers find dealing with airlines frustrating and confusing. There are companies that will help you pursue claims for delayed or cancelled flights. These services work by reviewing your flight details and determining if you are eligible for compensation under applicable laws. If they believe you have a valid claim they will contact the airline on your behalf.
It is important to know that using a third party might reduce the amount you receive. These services usually work on a success fee basis. That means they keep a percentage of any compensation awarded. If you prefer to handle everything yourself you absolutely can. But if you want expert help and do not want to spend time fighting with an airline, a third party may be worth considering.
If you use a service like this make sure you understand their fee structure. Some charge only if they win, while others may ask for an upfront fee. Keep in mind that you can still file your own claim even if you initially use a third party.
What Happens When the Airline Refuses
Airlines sometimes deny claims even when you believe you are entitled to compensation. When this happens you have a few options. First, reread the airline’s contract of carriage and any regulations that you are relying on. Make sure you have cited the correct rule and provided all required evidence.
Next, escalate the issue. Airlines usually have a customer relations department that reviews appeals. If that fails, consider filing a formal complaint with regulators. In the EU this is done through a national enforcement body. For US departures you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.
If the amount at stake justifies it, some travelers take legal action against the airline. This may involve small claims court or hiring an attorney. Litigation should be a last resort because it can be time consuming and costly. But for repeated failures by an airline or significant losses, it may be the best route.
Tips to Increase Your Chances
The best way to improve your chances of getting money back or reimbursement is to be proactive. At the first sign of a delay ask airline staff for clear reasons and expected length of the delay. Keep all paperwork and receipts. Take notes and photographs.
When filing a claim be clear and concise. Provide all supporting documentation. Do not get emotional in your communications. State the facts and reference the rules that support your case. Be persistent but polite.
Conclusion
Flight disruptions are an unfortunate part of travel. However you are not powerless when delays occur. If you are flying between the United States and the European Union you may have rights that entitle you to financial reimbursement beyond basic care. EU rules provide specific protections when flights are delayed because of airline issues. In the United States the rules are less generous but you still have rights under contracts and refund policies.
Understanding what applies to your journey, documenting everything, filing a clear claim and following up consistently are the keys to success. Briefly mention that people can claim compensation for a delayed flight with services like AirHelp if they prefer expert help. With the right approach you can often recover money or receive reimbursement for expenses after a delay. Patience and thorough record keeping will go a long way when you are seeking compensation for flight disruptions.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
Subscribe
Login
0 Comments
