🇪🇺 European Union (EU Regulation 261/2004)

Applies if:
Your flight departs from the EU (any airline), or
Your flight arrives in the EU and is operated by an EU airline.

Compensation applies if:
Delay is 3 hours or more at the final destination.
The delay is not caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g. severe weather, air traffic control strikes).

Compensation amounts:
€250 for flights < 1,500 km
€400 for 1,500–3,500 km (or EU-internal >1,500 km)
€600 for flights > 3,500 km

• 🇺🇸 United StatesThere is no federal law requiring compensation for delayed flights.

Airlines must offer compensation only if they oversell and deny boarding.
Some airlines may offer vouchers/meals voluntarily depending on the delay length, but it's not legally required.

• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom (Post-Brexit UK261)Rules are very similar to EU261.

Applies to flights departing the UK or arriving on a UK airline.
Same compensation thresholds and amounts (in GBP).

• 🇨🇦 CanadaRegulated by: Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR)

Applies to: Flights to, from, or within Canada.
Compensation:
Delay of 3–6 hours: CAD $400
Delay of 6–9 hours: CAD $700
Delay of 9+ hours: CAD $1,000
Only applies if the delay is within the airline’s control.

• 🇮🇳 IndiaRegulated by: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Compensation:
If delay > 6 hours, airlines must notify 24 hrs in advance or provide alternative flight/refund.
If delayed after boarding: meals, hotel, and rebooking must be provided.
Monetary compensation applies only in limited cases.

• 🇨🇳 ChinaRegulated by: Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)

Compensation:
Airlines must assist with meals, lodging, rebooking, etc.
No fixed cash compensation is mandated by law.
Policies vary by airline; some offer vouchers or refunds.

• 🇦🇺 AustraliaRegulated by: No national law for delay compensation.

Compensation:
Airlines set their own policies (e.g., Qantas or Virgin Australia).
Typically includes meal vouchers, accommodation, but no cash unless in fare rules.

• 🇧🇷 BrazilRegulated by: ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency)

Compensation:
If delay > 1 hour: communication assistance
2 hours: meals
4 hours: hotel + transport (if needed)
Cash compensation is rare, but refund or rebooking is required.

• 🇯🇵 JapanRegulated by: MLIT guidelines (not strict law)

Compensation:
Airlines usually provide meals, hotel, rebooking, depending on circumstances.
No mandatory cash payouts for delays unless in fare conditions.

• 🇷🇺 RussiaRegulated by: Russian Aviation Code

Compensation:
If delay is airline’s fault: up to 25 RUB per hour of delay
Meals, hotel, and transport provided depending on delay length.

• 🇰🇷 South KoreaRegulated by: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Compensation:
Airlines must offer meals, rebooking, hotel, but cash compensation is rare.
Korean Air and Asiana have internal policies for delay assistance.

• 🇲🇽 MexicoRegulated by: PROFECO (Consumer Protection)

Compensation:
Delays over 1 hour: refreshments
2 hours: meal vouchers
4 hours: rebooking or refund + compensation (25% of ticket value)

• 🇸🇬 SingaporeRegulated by: No national law; depends on airline’s contract of carriage

Compensation:
Major airlines like Singapore Airlines offer rebooking, hotel, and meals during long delays.
No mandated cash payout.


Important: No compensation is typically due when delays are caused by:

• Bad weather
• Political instability
• Security risks
• Strikes not involving the airline’s staff

But airlines must still provide care (meals, hotel, transport) during long delays.