What are US Air Passenger Rights?

Unlike the EU and Canada, the USA lacks a single regulation that governs all air passenger rights. Instead, much of the protection for travelers is based on contract law. This means your rights are determined by the airline’s Conditions of Carriage or Terms & Conditions, so it’s important to review these documents carefully.

Since there’s no universal standard set by national law, Conditions of Carriage can differ between airlines. Most do not explicitly grant passengers compensation for issues like significant delays or cancellations. While airlines might offer compensation as a goodwill gesture, passengers need to present a strong case to receive it.

Additionally, there are specific laws that US travelers should be aware of. For instance, passengers are entitled to compensation if denied boarding due to overbooking. You also have rights if your plane is stuck on the tarmac or if an airline damages, loses, or delays your baggage.

In the US, passengers are entitled to compensation if they are denied boarding or “bumped” from a flight. While airlines can overbook flights (selling more seats than available), they must compensate passengers up to $1,350 if they cannot provide a seat. This compensation is typically paid directly at the airport, ensuring immediate resolution.

We also assist US passengers in claiming up to €600 for delays and cancellations under international laws like Europe’s EC 261. For domestic flights, although there’s no specific US air passenger law covering delays and last-minute cancellations, it’s still possible to receive compensation. Many airlines may offer goodwill gestures such as vouchers, air miles, or discounts.

If you’ve experienced a delayed or canceled flight in the US, try our Compensation Check Tool. We’ll gather details about your situation and let you know if there’s a good chance we can secure compensation from the airline for you.

Denied Boarding laws in the USA

In the United States, it’s common for airlines to sell more tickets than there are seats available on a flight, a practice known as overbooking. This typically doesn’t cause issues since not all passengers show up. However, when every passenger does check in, the airline must deny boarding to some individuals.

Given that overbooking is prevalent, robust laws are in place to ensure that passengers receive appropriate compensation. If you are denied boarding in the US, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $1,350.

Additionally, airlines are required to rebook you on another flight at no extra charge as soon as possible.

These regulations apply not only to US citizens but to any passenger traveling with any airline on a flight departing from a US airport.

Airlines are obligated to inform passengers about their rights and offer compensation when denied boarding occurs. If you haven’t received compensation and you didn’t voluntarily give up your seat, we can assist you in obtaining the funds you are owed.

Luggage issues on US domestic flights

Passengers on US domestic flights have specific rights regarding reimbursement for damaged, delayed, or lost luggage. These rights apply to flights between US cities. To learn more about your entitlements, visit our delayed baggage compensation page for detailed information.

AioFlight may be able to help if:

Read the US laws

Federal regulation on denied boarding
Federal regulation on tarmac delay
Federal regulation on domestic baggage liability