The DOT manages a consumer dashboard that compares what all US airlines offer delayed passengers side by side. Passengers can also check their airline’s customer service plan, which can be found online and outlines policies for handling delays and cancellations.
These policies are completely enforceable, so they’re important to know. “Airlines are required to adhere to the promises that they make in their customer service plan, including commitments to care for customers in the event of controllable delays or cancellations,” says the DOT’s page on delays and cancellations. “The Department will hold airlines accountable if they fail to do so.”
Here’s a look at what type of support the largest US carriers offer passengers with delayed or canceled flights that occur for reasons within the airline’s control, according to the DOT dashboard and the airlines themselves.
Alaska Airlines
Seattle-based carrier Alaska Airlines offers travelers numerous benefits during long flight delays. The airline will rebook passengers facing significant delays on another Alaska flight or a flight with another airline with which it has an agreement or partnership. Passengers with overnight delays are provided free hotel accommodation and ground transportation to and from the airport, while travelers who have a delay of three hours or more are compensated with either frequent flier points (2,000 Atmos Rewards points) or a travel voucher (at least $50) toward a future flight.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant offers passengers with overnight delays free hotel stays with free ground transport. Fliers will also receive a meal or meal voucher for delays stretching three hours or longer. All significantly delayed fliers can be rebooked on another Allegiant flight at no extra cost.
American Airlines
Fliers with delayed American Airlines flights receive meal vouchers when the delay stretches for three hours or more. For overnight delays, the airline offers complimentary hotel accommodations with free ground transportation to and from the airport. The carrier will also rebook significantly delayed passengers on a different American flight or a flight with one of its partner carriers at no extra cost.
Delta Air Lines
Delta passengers receive complimentary hotel stays and ground transportation for overnight delays, as well as meal vouchers for delays stretching over three hours. The carrier often brings its “care while waiting” carts to gates experiencing delays to hand out free snacks and water bottles to waiting passengers. During significant delays, the airline will rebook passengers for free on different Delta flights or flights with a different airline.
Frontier Airlines
Delayed passengers on Frontier Airlines flights will be rebooked for free on another flight with the carrier during significant delays. The low-cost airline also provides a meal voucher for travelers when their delay is three hours or longer.
Hawaiian Airlines
As Hawaiian recently merged with Alaska Airlines, the two carriers have similar delay accommodation policies. Like Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines offers travelers with flights delayed for at least three hours extra compensation in the form of frequent flier points (at least 2,000 Atmos Rewards points) or a voucher toward a future flight of at least $50. Meal vouchers are also distributed for delays of three-plus hours. Hotel stays and ground transportation are provided for overnight delays, and the carrier will rebook significantly delayed passengers on another Hawaiian flight or with a partner airline.
JetBlue
As far as delay support policies, JetBlue’s ranks among the most generous. The carrier will offer a travel voucher for delays of at least three hours. Plus, the airline will rebook fliers on another one of its flights or a partner carrier’s flights during a significant delay. Hotel stays and ground transport are available during overnight flights and meal vouchers are guaranteed to travelers in delays of at least three hours.
Southwest Airlines
Budget carrier Southwest is also among the few airlines that offer some type of additional compensation to delayed travelers. The airline will offer travelers a voucher of at least $75 toward a future flight when they are stuck in a delay of at least three hours. Additionally, Southwest books complimentary hotels and ground transport for passengers with overnight delays and distributes meal vouchers for passengers waiting for three hours or more. Significantly delayed passengers can expect to be rebooked on another Southwest flight at no extra charge.
Spirit Airlines
Customers of Spirit Airlines who are stuck overnight due to a delay will receive a complimentary hotel stay and free ground transportation to and from the airport. They can also expect to receive a meal voucher during three-hour-plus delays and to be rebooked on another Spirit flight for free during significant delays.
United Airlines
During significant delays, United will rebook passengers on another one of its flights or with a partner carrier for free. The airline also provides complimentary hotel accommodations and ground transportation to and from the airport in the event of a delay that stretches overnight. For delays of at least three hours, United also gives its passengers meal vouchers.
