Your Guide to Airline Passenger Rights

Editor's note: This post was originally published September 4, 2018, and has been updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and freshness on February 16, 2026.

Flying can be stressful. Delays happen or bags get lost. Sometimes airlines overbook flights. It can be easy to start thinking you don’t have any control if something goes wrong. But as a passenger, you have rights!

We want you to feel empowered as you head out on your flight, so we’ll explain the airline bill of rights for you. We'll lay out the rules for flying in simple terms. We’ll also look at what you need to know about fares, delays, overbooking, baggage and more. When you know your airline passenger rights, you can protect yourself.

Air fares and ticketing rules

Airlines set different prices for different seats. That's how fare competition works.

Some tickets are cheap but can't be refunded. Others cost more but let you change your plans. Most tickets charge penalty fees if you cancel or change your flight.

Follow these tips to book smarter as you prepare to travel:

• Be flexible with your travel dates.
• Compare prices at nearby airports.
• Check prices on different days of the week.
• Watch for fare drops after you book.

Some airlines let you hold a reservation for free. Others require payment right away. If you cancel, refunds to your credit card usually take seven days.

Schedules, tickets and contracts of carriage

When you buy a ticket, you also agree to a contract. This contract is called the "contract of carriage." It lists the rules for flying with that airline.

Airlines can include terms you don't always easily see up front. But they must give you notice about these rules. Usually, you can find them on the airline's website.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has one important rule: Airlines can't change contract terms after you buy your ticket if it hurts you in a big way. Different rules apply for international flights versus domestic flights.

Delays, cancellations and tarmac rules

Airlines don't promise your flight will leave on time. Delays happen for many reasons. As you probably know, sometimes a small delay can grow into a significant delay.

When flights are canceled, airlines must help you. They should rebook you on an alternative flight. Sometimes they'll endorse your ticket to fly with a different airline. If you choose to no longer travel, you may be able to get a refund. Check out our article about cancelled flights for further info!

What about flight delay compensation? The DOT doesn't require airlines to pay you for regular delays. The only time you get compensated is when you're bumped from an oversold flight. Learn more about what you can expect in case of a flight delay.

But there are tarmac delay rules. These protect you from sitting on the plane too long:

• Domestic flights: Airlines must let you off after 3 hours (with some exceptions).
• International flights: Airlines set their own limits but must provide food, water, working bathrooms, and medical care if needed.
• Most flights in general: Airlines must update you every 30 minutes during tarmac delays.

Overbooking and "bumping" passengers

Overbooking is legal. Airlines sell more tickets than they have seats. They know some people won't show up.

But airlines must ask for volunteers first. If you volunteer to give up your seat, you can negotiate compensation.

If the airline bumps you involuntarily, you may get paid. How much depends on how late you arrive at your destination after you get onto another flight. Let’s look at some examples:

• Arrive within 1 hour of your original time: no compensation required
• Arrive 1-2 hours late: compensation up to $675
• Arrive more than 2 hours late (4 hours for international): compensation up to $1,350

Check-in issues at the airline gate matter. If you don't check in on time, you might lose your seat with no compensation.

Airlines must also refund fees for services you paid for but didn't get, like checked bags or seat selections.

Baggage rules and liability

Checked bags go through many conveyor belts. Sometimes bags get delayed, damaged, or lost. With this in mind, it’s important to protect your valuables. Keep expensive items in your carry-on bag. Pack your checked bags carefully.

If your bag is damaged, report it immediately. Take photos. Get a written report from the airline.

Lost bags work differently than damaged bags. Airlines will negotiate with you about the value of your lost luggage. They consider depreciation (how old items are).

There are liability limits:

• Domestic flights: Airlines may pay up to about $3,800 per passenger.
• International flights: The Montreal Convention sets limits around $1,780 per passenger.

You can buy excess valuation for higher coverage. This isn't insurance, but it raises the airline's liability limit. Airlines have higher responsibility for lost assistive devices used by passengers with disabilities.

Passenger protections for disabilities

Federal law protects travelers with disabilities. The Air Carrier Access Act sets the rules.

Airlines must provide assistance with these activities for passengers with disabilities:

• Boarding and getting off the plane
• Moving through the airport
• Stowing mobility devices and assistive equipment

The DOT publishes helpful guides like "New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability."

Airlines cannot discriminate against passengers with disabilities. This is part of your airline customer rights.

Complaints and enforcement process

Airlines must tell you how to file complaints. Look for this information online, at the airport, or on your ticket.

The DOT has a process:

• Airlines must acknowledge written complaints within 30 days.
• Airlines must give a full response within 60 days.
• The DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection reviews complaints and may take enforcement action.

Tips for successful complaints:

• Keep all documents (tickets, boarding passes, baggage tags, receipts).
• Write a clear story with dates, flight numbers, and names.
• Stay factual and reasonable.

If the airline refuses to help, you can file with the DOT. You might also use small claims court. The DOT uses complaints to create new regulations.

Rights under civil rights and discrimination protections

Federal laws prohibit discrimination in air travel. Airlines can't discriminate based on disability, race, religion, sex, or national origin.

The DOT investigates discrimination complaints. Airlines must respond to these complaints. Consumers can also pursue legal action.

Understanding the rules for flying helps you stand up for yourself when airlines fail you.

Be a savvy air traveler

You have rights when you fly. The DOT regulations protect you. But you need to know these airline passenger rights to use them.

Know your ticket's contract of carriage. Keep records of everything. Ask for written confirmations. File complaints on time.

Understanding airline responsibility for missed connection, delays, and other issues puts you in control. Your travel rights aren't automatic. You have to know when to ask for them.

Get legal help with airline disputes

Facing problems with an airline? Been bumped from a flight without fair compensation? Dealing with lost luggage or denied claims?

You don't have to fight alone. LegalShield provides access to experienced attorneys who can help with document review, phone calls, official letters, and more services that you need when dealing with consumer finance issues. Get the legal support you deserve.

Visit LegalShield's Consumer Finance page to learn how affordable legal coverage can protect your rights as a traveler.

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Written by Elyse Dillard, Senior Content Creator at LegalShield. Elyse creates educational resources about legal and identity theft protection services. She works to make complex legal concepts more accessible to readers and has contributed to numerous articles on the LegalShield blog.

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