Delta Air Lines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Yurii Semikopenko
08.08.2024

Passengers of Delta Air Lines who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight are legally entitled to compensation. According to EU 261, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. Here, we will look at your rights and the actions you need to take to obtain the compensation you deserve from the airline.

Delta Air Lines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Delta Air Lines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of delay or flight cancellation.

Delta Air Lines Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU laws, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note, that this delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you arrive at your final destination.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, such as the duration of the delay and the distance of your flight:

Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance
0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Remember you might not receive compensation for every flight delay. Delta Air Lines is not obliged to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances beyond their control occur. This covers severe weather conditions, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these instances, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Delta Air Lines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you may be entitled to compensation of €250-600 per passenger, based on the flight distance. Nonetheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Even when accepting another flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the flight distance and the length of the delay, according to the table below:

Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less
€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Delta Air Lines doesn’t have to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Delta Air Lines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, Delta Air Lines isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

ItineraryCovered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Delta Air Lines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Delta Air Lines, it’s important to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
  • Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. You might have plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to file it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Delta Air Lines goes the extra mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Delta Air Lines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

  • Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
  • Communication: Delta Air Lines offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
  • Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, Delta Air Lines arranges hotel room accommodation. This includes transportation between the airport and the hotel.
  • Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Delta Air Lines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and assisting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances efficiently.

  • Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
  • Rebooking: if you choose to continue your trip, Delta Air Lines will provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Delta Air Lines will arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s essential to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, Delta Air Lines will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

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