How Much Is My Delayed Flight Actually Worth?
The value of your delayed flight claim depends on several factors: the applicable law, flight distance, delay duration, and whether you choose to travel or not. Here is a practical guide to calculating what you are owed.
DOT Refund Value
Under DOT rules, if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international), you are entitled to a full cash refund of everything you paid: base fare, taxes, fees, and all ancillary charges (bags, seats, extras).
Your DOT refund value = total amount charged to your payment method for the disrupted flight. This includes the base fare, government taxes, carrier-imposed fees, bag fees, seat fees, and any other add-ons.
EU261 Compensation Value
- ›
Short-haul (up to 1,500 km): €250 per person (~$270).
- ›
Medium-haul (1,500 to 3,500 km): €400 per person (~$435).
- ›
Long-haul (over 3,500 km): €600 per person (~$650).
These amounts are per person and independent of your ticket price. A family of four on a delayed transatlantic flight: €2,400 (~$2,600). For details on distance calculation, see our EU261 amounts guide. For EU261 rights, see our rights page.
Additional Recoverable Costs
- ›
Meals: Costs during the delay if the airline did not provide vouchers.
- ›
Hotel: Overnight accommodation costs if the airline did not arrange it.
- ›
Transport: Taxis or rideshares to/from hotel or between airports.
- ›
Communication: Phone calls or internet costs during the delay.
Keep all receipts. These duty-of-care expenses are recoverable separately from the fixed EU261 compensation. For the full refund process, see our refund guide. For what to do during delays, see our airport guide. Check your flight for a personalized calculation.
Total Value Example
A family of four on an Air France flight from JFK to Paris that was cancelled: ticket refund ($3,200 for four tickets) + EU261 compensation (€2,400 / ~$2,600 for four passengers) + out-of-pocket meals and hotel ($400). Total potential recovery: approximately $6,200.