US passenger protections are narrower than Europe's, but they are real and they are enforceable. They come from Department of Transportation rules, and they apply to every airline flying to, from or within the United States.
The main ones cover three situations: getting your money back when the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, cash compensation when you are bumped from an oversold flight against your will, and limits on how long you can be kept on an aircraft on the tarmac. Everything else, including meals and hotels during delays, comes from the commitments each airline has made in its customer service plan.
The short version
- Refunds are owed for cancellations and significant changes if you do not accept the alternative offered.
- Involuntary bumping carries cash compensation of up to $2,150, depending on how late you arrive.
- Airlines must let you off a domestic flight after three hours on the tarmac (four for international), with limited safety exceptions.
Planning ahead
Flying soon? You do not need to memorize the rules. Know the three that matter: refunds for cancellations and significant delays, cash for involuntary bumping, and the tarmac time limits. Then check what your own airline adds on top.