Flight Delay Compensation: Airline Delay Rules & Travel Insurance

Stuck with a delayed flight? Learn exactly how long a delay needs to be for compensation, what airlines can offer you, and claiming tips.

✈️ What is Flight Delay Compensation?

Flight delay compensation is money or benefits you might get from your travel insurance if your flight is delayed, for reasons like bad weather, mechanical issues, strikes, or airline scheduling problems. This coverage usually comes from travel insurance plans, but payout rules depend on your specific plan.

🛫 When Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation?

✅ ​​ You CAN Claim Flight Delay Compensation If…​​

❌ ​​You CAN’T Claim Flight Delay Compensation If…​​

Some policies exclude these—always read the fine print!

📍 Trip.com’s AirHelp+ Service: Your Backup for Flight Delays

If you’ve ever dealt with flight delays, you know the hassle of chasing airlines for compensation. Trip.com’s AirHelp+ service (added when you book your ticket) takes that stress off your plate.

What’s AirHelp+?

AirHelp+ is a service partnered with Trip.com that fights for your compensation if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked. They handle the paperwork, legal stuff, and arguing with airlines—you just sit back.

How to Add AirHelp+

1. Pick your flight on Trip.com.
2. Before paying, look for the “AirHelp Plus” add-on option.
3. Tick the box to add AirHelp+ to your flight booking.

Why Add AirHelp+?

They do the work: No calling airlines or filling forms. AirHelp+ handles everything.

Covers most issues: Delays, cancellations, overbooking (like being bumped off a full flight).

Scope of service:

• Flight compensation: Up to EUR 600 for flight delays, cancellations, and overbooking of European flights.
• Cost reimbursement: From EUR 400 up to EUR 6,000 for extra costs caused by a delay, including lost baggage and missed bookings (hotels, flights, etc) for worldwide flights.

🗺️ Region-specific Airline Flight Delay Compensation Rules

Credit: Unsplash

Countries/Regions WITH Statutory Flight Delay Compensation Rules (updated Sep 2025)

Several countries/regions(not all!), including the EU, UK, Canada, and Thailand, have laws requiring airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays caused by airline fault. These regulations guarantee fair compensation and passenger care during significant delays within airline control.

🇪🇺🇬🇧 European Union (EU261 or EC261) and United Kingdom (UK261)

The European Union has some of the world's strongest passenger protection laws under Regulation EC 261/2004. These rules apply to:

• Flights departing from any EU airport, regardless of airline
• Flights arriving at an EU airport operated by an EU-based airline

Important Facts About EU Compensation

• Airlines must provide care and assistance (meals, refreshments, accommodation if necessary) during long delays regardless of the cause
• Compensation is not due if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control (severe weather, political instability, security risks, unexpected flight safety issues)
• Technical issues are generally not considered extraordinary circumstances following Court of Justice of the European Union rulings
• The right to compensation does not expire quickly - you can claim for flights up to 6 years ago in some EU countries
• Airlines must inform passengers of their rights during delays

Post-Brexit Update: The UK has retained EC 261/2004 in domestic law UK261, so similar rules apply for flights from UK airports or to UK airports on UK/EU carriers.

🇨🇦 Canada (APPR)

Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), effective since 2019, provide clear rules on passenger rights for flight delays and cancellations. Airlines must compensate passengers for delays within the airline’s control that are not related to safety. The regulations also require airlines to provide care, rebooking, and refunds if passengers choose not to travel. 

Key Facts About Canadian Regulations

• Airlines must provide standards of treatment during delays, including food, drink, and communication access
• For delays over 8 hours, airlines must provide accommodation
• Passengers must file claims with the airline first and airlines have 30 days to respond
• No compensation is required for delays caused by safety issues or factors outside airline control
• Airlines must rebook passengers on the next available flight, including competitors' flights in some cases

Important Update: In 2022, the Canadian Transportation Agency clarified that mechanical issues are generally considered within the airline's control for compensation purposes, unless they are discovered during pre-flight checks and affect safety.

🇹🇭 Thailand (Civil Aviation Board Notification No. 101)

In 2025, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) introduced new passenger protection rules under Notification No. 101 to strengthen rights for both domestic and international scheduled flights.

Airlines must now provide support and compensation for international flight delays or cancellations without prior notice, especially when passengers are already at the airport.

For all delays over two hours, airlines in Thailand must provide complimentary food and beverages or suitable vouchers based on the time and length of the delay, along with free access to communication tools like phone calls or email.

Countries/Regions WITHOUT Statutory Flight Delay Compensation Rules (updated Sep 2025)

Countries without statutory flight delay compensation laws, such as Singapore, Australia, the United States, and China, leave compensation largely to airline policies. In these places, airlines may offer care or reimbursements voluntarily, but there are no legal guarantees for monetary compensation. Passengers should check the airline’s terms or rely on travel insurance to cover delay-related expenses.

🇸🇬 Singapore

• No national law for mandatory cash compensation for delays.
• Airlines usually provide care (meals, vouchers, hotel stays) during long delays but payouts are discretionary or per fare conditions.

🇦🇺 Australia

• No mandatory statutory delay compensation.
• Airlines offer care and may provide vouchers for food, accommodation, or rebooking.
• Cash compensation is discretionary and varies by airline policy.

🇺🇸 United States

• No mandatory compensation law for delays.
• Airlines may voluntarily provide meals, hotel, or vouchers for long delays.
• Refunds required for cancelled flights if passenger opts not to travel.

🇨🇳 China

• Airlines obligated to provide meals and accommodation during delays.
• Monetary compensation (RMB 200–400) depends on airline policies and fare rules rather than a strict national law.

🌏 Other Asia-Pacific Countries

• Most, including Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, have no mandated cash compensation for delays.
• Airlines must provide care for delays but cash payouts depend on fare conditions or international agreements. 

Travel Insurance

• Singapore travel insurance typically covers delay payouts from 3–6+ hours, with reimbursements around S$100–S$200 per block, up to caps like S$2,000.
• Insurance helps fill gaps where statutory compensation or airline policies don’t provide payouts. 

Important: Always check the specific regulations of the departure and arrival countries, as well as the operating airline's conditions of carriage.

📝 Tips & Fun Facts

Essential Tips for Claiming Compensation

• Document everything: Save boarding passes, receipts for expenses, communications from the airline, and take photos of information boards showing delays
• Request written confirmation: Ask airline staff for written documentation of the delay and its cause
• File claims promptly: While time limits vary by jurisdiction, filing sooner is always better
• Be specific: Include flight numbers, dates, and detailed information about the delay in your claim
• Appeal rejections: If your claim is rejected, you can appeal to national enforcement bodies or consider legal action

Interesting Facts About Flight Delays

• The EU processes approximately 600,000 compensation claims annually under EC 261/2004
• Only about 15% of eligible passengers actually claim compensation they're entitled to
• Airlines sometimes reclassify technical issues as safety concerns to avoid paying compensation
• Some airlines have been known to automatically reject first-time claims, hoping passengers won't appeal

Pro Tip: Third-party claim companies can handle your compensation claim but typically charge 25-30% of the awarded amount. You can file claims directly with airlines at no cost.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. The rules and amounts are subject to change. Always verify the current regulations with official sources or legal professionals before making claims.

📒 How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation

1️⃣ Step 1: Check If You Qualify​​

Before wasting time, confirm:

Are you travelling in countries/regions with ​​​​Statutory Flight Delay Compensation Rules?

• If Yes (eg. EU/UK, Canada, Thailand): Does the Delay meet the minimum duration ​​for compensation? And is it caused by the airline (mechanical issues, crew shortages)?
• If No (eg. Singapore, China, Australia, U.S., etc.): No cash compensation by law, but you can ask for vouchers/hotels from airlines (politely insist!)

Travel insurance:​​

• Does the delay meet your policy’s ​​time threshold​​ (usually 6–12+ hours) and fit covered reasons (e.g., weather if your plan includes it)?

​​2️⃣ Step 2: Gather Proof​

You’ll need:

• ​​Airline delay certificate​​ 📄: Ask the airline counter or email customer service. Must include:
• • Flight number, delay duration, and ​​reason​​ (e.g., “mechanical fault”).
• ​​Boarding pass​​ 🎟️: Shows you were actually on the flight.
• ​​Receipts​​ 🧾: For meals, hotels, Ubers—if claiming through insurance.
• ​​Policy documents​​ 📑: For insurance claims, know your coverage limits.

No delay certificate? Use emails from the airline, app notifications, or even a screenshot of the airport departure board.

Credit: EU Claim (Note the process image is only valid for EU flights)

​​3️⃣ Step 3: Submit Your Claim​​

​​For Regions with Statutory Flight Delay Compensation Rules (eg. EU/UK, Canada, Thailand):​​

1. Go to the airline’s website (e.g., Lufthansa, Air France).
2. Find their ​​compensation claim form​​ (usually under “Customer Rights” or “Delays”).
3. Upload your proof.
4. They must respond within 30 days. If they ghost you, escalate to a national enforcement body (e.g., UK CAA).

​​For Travel Insurance:​​

1. Log into your insurer’s portal (e.g., MSIG, FWD, etc.).
2. Fill out the ​​delay claim form​​.
3. Attach proof + receipts.
4. Deadline: Most require claims within ​​30 days of returning home​​.

​​Seek Compensation from Airlines:​​

• Email customer service or use their online form.
• Write a polite but firm request for vouchers/hotels. Example:“My flight was delayed for [X hours] due to [reason]. According to your policy, I request compensation for the inconvenience...”

​​What to Expect​​

• ​​EU/UK claims:​​ Airlines often push back first. If they deny you unfairly, use a free service like AirHelp (they take a cut only if you win).
• ​​Insurance claims:​​ Payouts take 2–6 weeks. If denied, ask for a detailed reason and appeal.

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