US Flight Refund Rules for Cancellations and Delays

In 2026, travelers in the United States are entitled to a refund for canceled flights, irrespective of the reason for the cancellation, according to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules. This policy applies to both domestic flights and international flights entering or departing the U.S. The refund is due if the airline cancels a flight and the passenger chooses not to travel, even if the cancellation is due to factors beyond the airline's control, such as severe weather.

The DOT flight refund policy covers any portion of the ticket that remains unused. For instance, if a round-trip flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is canceled on the outbound leg and the passenger decides to cancel the entire trip, the airline must refund the full itinerary. Similarly, if the return flight from Boston to Washington, D.C. is canceled after the outbound journey was completed, and the passenger opts for alternative transportation like a train, the airline is obligated to refund the cost of the return flight segment.

Crucially, these refund rights are contingent upon the passenger choosing not to travel and not accepting alternative arrangements offered by the airline. If an airline cancels a flight and rebooks the passenger on a later flight, accepting that rebooking means the passenger forfeits the right to a refund for that specific flight segment. The policy emphasizes that the passenger must make a clear decision to forgo travel altogether or accept the airline's proposed alternative.