What JetBlue has committed to in writing when your flight is delayed or cancelled, summarized from its customer service plan, contract of carriage and tarmac delay plan. Most of these commitments apply only when the cause is within JetBlue's control.
The short version
- 5,000 TrueBlue points for a controllable delay of more than 3 hours, but only if a TrueBlue account was attached to the booking before the disruption.
- A $12 digital meal voucher and a hotel when a controllable problem delays your arrival by 3 hours or more.
- Rebooking on JetBlue only, or free changes within five days, or a refund. No other airlines.
- Hotel and transport receipts must be submitted within 10 days.
JetBlue at a glance
For delays and cancellations within JetBlue's control.
| Rebooking on JetBlue | Yes, at no cost |
|---|---|
| Rebooking on another airline | No |
| Meals | Yes, after 3 hours |
| Hotel for an overnight delay | Yes, with conditions |
| Transport to the hotel | Yes |
| Credits, points or vouchers | 5,000 TrueBlue points (members) |
| Cash compensation | No |
When the delay or cancellation is JetBlue's fault
These commitments apply when the cause is within the airline's control, such as maintenance, crew or its own systems. See controllable vs. uncontrollable delays.
Rebooking on JetBlue
Kept on your existing flight (if delayed) or rebooked on a new JetBlue flight (if canceled). You may rebook to an alternate JetBlue flight within five days at no additional cost, or cancel for a full refund to your original form of payment.
Applies to cancellations, arrival delays of 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international) and other significant changes. Act before scheduled departure.
Rebooking on another airline Not committed
JetBlue's customer service plan does not offer rebooking on other airlines. If JetBlue cannot provide an alternate JetBlue flight, you can choose a new flight or a full refund.
Contract of carriage: re-accommodation is on the next available JetBlue flight, or a full refund.
Meals
Digital meal voucher of $12 per ticketed customer when a flight is canceled or disrupted due to a controllable irregularity causing an arrival delay of 3 hours or more.
Sent to the email on the reservation. Customers unable to redeem a digital voucher may follow a reimbursement process. JetBlue's contract of carriage (rev. 103, 2026-07-29) only states that meal vouchers may be provided upon request for a controllable departure delay of 6 or more hours, and that customer assurance policies are not part of the contract.
Hotel
Hotel at a contracted facility, based on availability, when a controllable irregularity causes an arrival delay of 3 or more hours and you are away from your home or origin city overnight. If no contracted hotel is available, reasonable overnight hotel expenses are reimbursed.
Not provided for customers who live locally or for non-controllable events. Reimbursement requires detailed receipts submitted within 10 days of the expense. JetBlue's contract of carriage (rev. 103, 2026-07-29) only states that a hotel voucher may be provided upon request for a controllable departure delay of 6 or more hours.
Transport to and from the hotel
Most contracted hotels include complimentary ground transportation. If it is not provided, reasonable ground transportation is reimbursed.
Valid receipts required, submitted within 10 days of the expense.
Credits, points or vouchers
5,000 TrueBlue points for a controllable delay of more than 3 hours past scheduled departure, or a controllable cancellation less than 4 hours before scheduled departure. TrueBlue members only; non-members receive no compensation.
A TrueBlue account in your name must be attached to the reservation before the disruption. Issued automatically. Excludes flights to/from Canada and flights departing Europe. Mosaic members may receive additional points.
Cash compensation Not committed
No cash compensation. Compensation for controllable disruptions is TrueBlue points only.
Flights to/from Canada, and from the EU/UK, may qualify under APPR, EC 261 or UK 261 via JetBlue claim forms.
When the cause is weather or air traffic control
For disruptions outside JetBlue's control, expect rebooking on JetBlue's own flights and little else: the meal, hotel and compensation commitments above generally do not apply. Ask anyway about discounted hotel rates, and check whether your own trip delay cover pays. If you are not sure the cause really is weather, see how to check.
Refunds
Whatever the cause, if JetBlue cancels your flight, or delays or changes it significantly (three hours or more domestic, six or more international), and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund to your original form of payment under US rules. You do not have to accept a credit instead. See the DOT refund rule.
Tarmac delays
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 3 hours (domestic flights). Exceptions: the pilot-in-command determines deplaning would jeopardize safety or security, or air traffic control advises that returning would significantly disrupt airport operations. For diverted flights the limit runs from landing at the diversion airport. Plan rev. 02.20.2025.
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 4 hours (international flights).
- Adequate food and drinking water for all passengers no later than 2 hours after the start of the tarmac delay.
- Operable lavatory facilities, a comfortable cabin air temperature and adequate medical attention if needed. Status notification when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes, with additional updates as appropriate. Plan coordinated with airport authorities, TSA and CBP.
- JetBlue's tarmac delay plan does not provide any passenger compensation for tarmac delays.
These match the federal rules. See tarmac delay rules.
How to use this at the airport
- Ask the gate agent what is causing the delay, and note the answer.
- Ask for what JetBlue commits to, by name. Many commitments are only provided on request. Here is what to say.
- If you pay for something yourself that JetBlue commits to cover, keep the receipts and claim afterwards. If it refuses, see how to file a complaint with the DOT.
Sources
Summarized from JetBlue's published documents, last checked October 2, 2026. Airlines update these documents, so check the current version before you rely on a specific detail.
- jetblue.com/customer-assurance/customer-service-plan
- legacycms.jetblue.com/public/dam/ui-assets/p/Contingency_Plan_for_Lengthy_Tarmac_Delays.pdf
Compare with other airlines
See how JetBlue compares with other US airlines on the airline policies page.
This guide is general information for US travelers, not legal advice. Rules and airline commitments change; check with your airline or the US Department of Transportation for your specific situation.