Delay Survival Kit
A first-15-minutes action plan, rebooking scripts, a what-to-pack-in-your-personal-item list, and a receipts & claim tracker.
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Flight delayed or cancelled?
You've got this. Let's sort it out.
Disruptions are stressful, especially with kids in tow. Here's a calm, step-by-step plan, tools to find a backup flight, and your rights explained simply, with links to the official rules.
Your first 15 minutes
1. Get in two lines at once
Join the line at the gate or help desk and contact the airline by app, chat, or phone at the same time. Whoever answers first can usually rebook you.
2. Check the airline app
Many airlines offer self-service rebooking in their app. Look before the best seats on the next flights are gone.
3. Know what you want
Decide your plan A and plan B: a later flight today, a flight tomorrow, a nearby airport, or a refund if you'd rather not travel.
4. Ask, kindly and clearly
"Can you rebook us on the next available flight, including partner airlines?" If it's an overnight cancellation the airline caused, ask about a hotel and meal vouchers.
5. Keep every receipt
Screenshot the delay notice and keep receipts for meals, hotels, and transport. You may need them for a claim.
6. Take care of the crew
Yours, that is. Water, snacks, charge phones, find a quiet corner. Our Kids' Zone has free games and calm-down breathing.
Find a backup flight
Search other airlines' flights for today or tomorrow. If you hold a ticket, talk to your airline before buying a new one, because you may be rebooked for free or be owed a refund.
Tip: type a city instead of an airport (for example "New York") to include every airport in that city.
Nearby airports to consider
In big metro areas, a flight from a different airport can get you home sooner. Remember to factor in the ride across town and where your bags are.
| Area | Airports (tap to search today's flights from there) |
|---|---|
| New York | |
| Los Angeles | |
| San Francisco Bay Area | |
| Chicago | |
| Washington, DC | |
| South Florida | |
| Dallas | |
| Houston | |
| Orlando | |
| London | |
| Paris | |
| Tokyo |
Tapping an airport opens a one-way search for today from that airport to the destination you entered in the backup flight search above.
Official flight & airport status links
Always confirm times with your airline. These links go straight to official status pages and trusted trackers.
- FAA airport status (US delays & ground stops)
- FlightAware: live delays & cancellations
- American Airlines flight status
- Delta flight status
- United flight status
- Southwest flight status
- Alaska Airlines flight status
- JetBlue flight tracker
- Spirit flight status
- Frontier flight status
- Air Canada flight status
- British Airways flight status
- TSA: what can I bring?
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) airport info
Your rights on US flights, in plain language
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so the official source links are included for each point.
Refunds when the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight
For flights to, from, or within the US, if the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you choose not to travel or accept rebooking or a voucher, you're entitled to a refund of the ticket, including taxes and fees, to your original form of payment. "Significant change" includes:
- A domestic flight departing 3+ hours earlier or arriving 3+ hours later than scheduled
- An international flight departing 6+ hours earlier or arriving 6+ hours later
- A different departure or arrival airport, more connections, or a downgrade to a lower class
Refunds are due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. If you accept a voucher instead, that's your choice. The airline must tell you about your refund right first.
Sources: US DOT: automatic refund rule · 14 CFR Part 260
Delayed bags and services you paid for
If you file a mishandled-bag report and your checked bag isn't delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight's arrival (15 or 30 hours for international, depending on flight length), you're entitled to a refund of the checked bag fee. You can also get a refund for extras you paid for but didn't get, like Wi-Fi or seat selection.
Meals and hotels: check the airline's commitments
US law doesn't require airlines to pay cash compensation for delays, but major US airlines have publicly committed to things like meal vouchers when an airline-caused delay or cancellation means a wait of 3+ hours, and hotel rooms for overnight airline-caused cancellations. The DOT dashboard shows each airline's commitments.
Source: US DOT Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard
Stuck on the plane?
For US airlines, a tarmac delay generally can't exceed 3 hours on domestic flights or 4 hours on international flights before passengers are given the chance to get off, with exceptions for safety, security, and air traffic control. Food and water must be offered within 2 hours of a tarmac delay starting.
Source: US DOT: Fly Rights · 14 CFR 259.4
Sitting together as a family
Some airlines guarantee fee-free adjacent seating for young children traveling with an adult. Check the DOT's family seating dashboard and book seats early.
Source: US DOT Airline Family Seating Dashboard
Need to complain?
Start with the airline. If that doesn't resolve it, you can file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation.
EU & UK flights (EU261 / UK261)
Who's covered: flights departing from an EU airport (any airline), and flights arriving in the EU on an EU airline. Similar rules (UK261) cover flights departing the UK, and flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline.
Compensation: if you arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours late, your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you're denied boarding, you may be owed fixed compensation, unless the cause was "extraordinary circumstances" such as severe weather or air traffic control restrictions.
| Flight distance | EU261 | UK261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | £220 |
| Intra-EU over 1,500 km, or other flights 1,500–3,500 km | €400 | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km (not within the EU) | €600 (may be reduced by 50% if you arrive no more than 4 hours late) | £520 (may be reduced by 50% if you arrive no more than 4 hours late) |
Care while you wait: depending on flight distance and delay length, the airline must offer meals and refreshments, a way to communicate, and a hotel plus transport if you're delayed overnight, even when the cause was extraordinary.
Refund or rerouting: if your flight is cancelled, you can choose a refund or rerouting. For long delays (5+ hours), you can choose a refund if you no longer want to travel.
Coming change: the EU adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/2202, which updates these rules. It applies from 23 October 2027. Until then, the current rules above apply.
Sources: Your Europe: air passenger rights · Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 · UK CAA: your rights
Canada: Canada has its own Air Passenger Protection Regulations. See the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Be ready next time
Two printable tools from our shop, made for stressful travel days.
Kids' Airport Activity Pack
Original coloring pages, bingo cards, mazes, and a trip journal. Print a few before you fly.
Get the packFree right now
Play games, airport bingo, and breathing exercises in our Kids' Zone, or read our airport tips.