- 21 Jun, 2025
Delta Airlines understands how a flight delay and canacletion can affect your journey, and hence, they always try to prevent them at their end. However, sometimes disruptions occur, and things don't go as planned. If your flight is in 72 hours, the airline will update you about any schedule changes via email, text, or the Fly Delta App. You can rebook the flight and request a refund e-credit or compensation based on the delay. How long can a Delta flight be delayed before compensation? Read the complete article below to find out the answer to this query. You will also learn other relevant information; take a look.
Get Delta Compensation - Terms and Conditions
If you live in the U.S. or Canada and spend on a hotel, transportation, and/or meal because of a delay of more than 3 hours or Canacleton, which is under Delta Airlines' control, you can submit the compensation requests using the reimbursement requests form on the website.
If you are a Non-resident of the U.S. or Canada and want compensation for a delayed flight, submit the comment and a complaint form on the website. The Delta team will review the request and confirm the reimbursement eligibility.
Note you cannot get compensation for delay or cancelation due to factors outside Delta Airlines' control, such as Air traffic Control delays or weather delays. Delta Airlines also does not compensate for prepaid expenses such as hotels, activities at your destination, alternate transportation to the final destination, and lost wages.
What is the minimum flight delay for compensation?
The minimum flight delay for compensation is 3 hours. If the flight is delayed for three hours and you incur meals, transportation, and hotel, you can ask for compensation. Besides, if the delay is less than 3 hours and above hours, you can request the airline to provide you with a refund for the unused portion of the ticket.
How to apply for compensation with Delta Airlines?
If the Delta flight is delayed for more than 3 hours due to their fault and you spend on the hotel, meal, and transportation because of the day, you can ask for compensation. You must submit a compensation request form to apply for it officially. You can submit the compensation request form online or by phone via the Delta Airlines website; the process is as follows:
- Go ahead with Delta Airlines' official website.
- Under the My Trip section on the website, enter the confirmation number, first name, and last name, and search for the booking.
- Select the delayed flight ticket, and you will see the available options on the screen.
- Access the 'Compensation/ Reimbursement Request form' on the screen and open it.
- Fill out the necessary details and submit the request form
- You can also attach documents to support your compensation requirements
- Once done, you can receive the compensation soon
What happens if my Delta flight is delayed?
If your Delta flights are delayed, here are the various options you can try based on the delay type:
Delay less than 120 minutes
If the Delta flight is delayed for less than 120 minutes, you can check the eligibility to rebook the flight under the 'My Trip' section on the website. In this case, free changes or refunds are not allowed.
Delay above 120 minutes
If the flight is delayed or canceled for more than 120 minutes, Delta Airlines will notify you and try to rebook you on the next available flight for free. In case no alternate options are available, you can adjust the flight under the 'My Trip' section, cancel the booking and choose e-credit for the unused portion, or cancel the booking and ask for a refund of the unused ticket portion.
Above 3 hours
US and Canadian residents can submit the compensation request form to receive compensation for hotel, meal, and transportation expenses.
Conclusion: Delta Airlines always helps passengers manage their bookings in case of delays and fight cancellations. You can request a refund and compensation from the airline based on the delay. When can I apply for flight delay compensation? It is when the flight is delayed for more than 3 hours. In case you still have any questions, speak to the Delta agent or visit the delay and cancellation page on the Delta website.
