Airline delay and cancellation policies, compared

Beyond the federal rules, what you get during a delay depends on which airline you are flying. Each carrier publishes a customer service plan and a contract of carriage that set out what it will do, and the differences between them are larger than most travelers expect.

These guides summarize each airline's written commitments for delays and cancellations within its control, with links to the source documents so you can point to the exact wording at the gate.

Compared at a glance

What each airline commits to for delays and cancellations within its control. Weather and air traffic control disruptions usually get rebooking only. Tap an airline for the details and conditions.

AirlineMealsHotelOther airlinesCredits or points
American After 3h Yes Yes, with conditions None committed
Delta After 3h Yes Yes, with conditions Discretionary credits or SkyMiles
United After 3h Yes Yes, with conditions None committed
Southwest After 3h Yes No LUV Voucher, $75+
Alaska After 3h Yes Yes, with conditions $50+ discount code or 2,000+ points
Hawaiian After 3h Yes Yes, with conditions $50+ discount code or 2,000+ points
JetBlue After 3h Yes No 5,000 TrueBlue points (members)
Frontier After 3h Not committed No None committed
Allegiant After 3h Yes Yes, with conditions None committed
Breeze Not committed Not committed No Courtesy only
Avelo Not committed Yes No Avelo Cash, $25 to $100
Sun Country After 4h Yes No None committed

The short version

Planning ahead

Still choosing a flight? These commitments differ enough to be worth a look before you book, especially for a trip you cannot afford to miss. If you have already booked, read your airline's page before you travel.

Read the pre-trip checklist →

Guides in this section

American Airlines delay and cancellation policy What American commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: rebooking, partner airlines, meal credits after 3 hours, hotels and refunds. Delta delay and cancellation policy What Delta commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: rebooking on Delta or another airline, meals after 3 hours, hotels and refunds. United delay and cancellation policy What United commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: rebooking, partner airlines, meal vouchers, hotels and refunds. Southwest delay and cancellation policy What Southwest commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled, including the $75+ LUV Voucher for controllable delays, meals, lodging and refunds. Alaska Airlines delay and cancellation policy What Alaska commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: discount codes or points, partner airlines, meals, hotels and refunds. JetBlue delay and cancellation policy What JetBlue commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: TrueBlue points, meal vouchers, hotels, free changes and refunds. Frontier delay and cancellation policy What Frontier commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: meal vouchers, rebooking on Frontier, refunds, and what it does not cover. Hawaiian Airlines delay and cancellation policy What Hawaiian commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: discount codes or points, partner airlines, meals, hotels and refunds. Allegiant delay and cancellation policy What Allegiant commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: rebooking on Allegiant or a partner, meals, hotels and refunds. Breeze Airways delay and cancellation policy What Breeze commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: free changes, refunds, and what it offers only as a courtesy. Avelo delay and cancellation policy What Avelo commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: Avelo Cash for controllable disruptions, hotels, rebooking and refunds. Sun Country delay and cancellation policy What Sun Country commits to when your flight is delayed or cancelled: meal vouchers after 4 hours, hotels, rebooking and refunds.

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