San Francisco to Rome Flight Cancelled: What to Do
Flights from San Francisco to Rome are operated by both US carriers and European airlines like ITA Airways. EU261 coverage depends on the operating carrier. Here is what you are owed when your SFO to Rome flight is cancelled.
EU Carriers vs. US Carriers from SFO
The SFO to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) route is served by ITA Airways (the successor to Alitalia, an EU carrier) and US carriers including United. Only EU carrier flights are covered by EU261 on the outbound from SFO.
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ITA Airways SFO to FCO: Covered by EU261. Up to €600 per person.
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United SFO to FCO: Not covered by EU261 outbound. DOT rules only.
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Return FCO to SFO (any airline): Covered by EU261. Rome is an EU airport.
Italy has a 2-year limitation period. This is one of the shortest in Europe. File claims for Italian departures promptly. For SFO to FCO on ITA, the departure is from the US, so a different analysis applies.
Compensation Amounts
SFO to FCO is approximately 10,000 km, well over the 3,500 km threshold. EU261 compensation is €600 per person. For the return from Rome, all carriers are covered. For details on amounts, see our EU261 amounts guide. For the claims process, read our EU261 guide.
What to Do When Cancelled
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Determine whether your airline is an EU carrier or US carrier.
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For EU carriers: file an EU261 claim citing the regulation and €600 per person.
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For all carriers: request a DOT refund if the cancellation qualifies.
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Keep all documentation: cancellation notice, boarding pass, expense receipts.
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If rejected, escalate to the relevant NEB or DOT.
Check your flight for eligibility. For what to do at the airport, see our survival guide. For the refund process, read our complete guide.