My flight was cancelled or badly delayed. What am I owed?
Simple answer
If your flight is cancelled with under 24 hours' notice, the airline must give an alternate flight you accept, or a full refund plus compensation of up to ₹10,000. Long delays get you meals, and very long ones a refund option or hotel, but no cash compensation.
Real-life examples
Priya's Delhi–Lucknow flight, about 1.5 hours long, was cancelled 5 hours before departure. She didn't accept the next-day flight offered. She is due a full refund plus ₹7,500 or her one-way basic fare plus fuel charge, whichever is less.
Rahul's 2-hour flight from Kolkata was delayed by 3 hours. For flights of up to 2½ hours, the airline must give meals and refreshments once the delay reaches 2 hours. There is no cash compensation for delays.
Tenzin's flight was cancelled because thick fog closed the airport. Weather is beyond the airline's control, so no compensation is due. He can still choose a refund or an alternate flight.
What should you do?
- 1Ask the airline counter for the reason for the cancellation or delay. Keep your ticket, boarding pass and all SMS and emails.
- 2Ask for meals during long waits, and a hotel with transfers if the delay is over 24 hours (or over 6 hours for flights due between 8 pm and 3 am).
- 3Choose an alternate flight or a full refund. A credit shell (travel credit) is only if you want it; the airline cannot force it on you.
- 4Card refunds are due within 7 days; bookings via an agent or portal, within 14 working days. No refund-processing fee is allowed.
- 5If the airline doesn't comply, complain to its nodal officer, then on AirSewa. You can also file a consumer complaint on e-Jagriti.
Exceptions & limits
- If the cause is beyond the airline's control (weather, air traffic control, security risks, strikes, disasters), no compensation is due, and for delays even meals and hotel are not mandatory. Cancelled flights still get a refund or alternate flight.
- No cash compensation if you didn't give a phone number or email when booking, but you still get a refund or alternate flight.
- Foreign airlines may pay compensation under their home country's rules instead.
Official legal reference
DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part IV (Rev. 4, 2023) — Para 3.3
Cancellation: alternate flight or refund; with under 24 hours' notice, compensation of ₹5,000, ₹7,500 or ₹10,000 by flight length, capped at basic fare plus fuel.
DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part IV (Rev. 4, 2023) — Paras 3.4, 3.8
Delays: meals after 2 to 4 hours depending on flight length; refund or alternate flight for domestic delays over 6 hours; hotel for very long delays.
DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part IV (Rev. 4, 2023) — Paras 1.4, 1.5, 3.3.4
No compensation for cancellations or delays caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control, such as weather, ATC, security or strikes.
DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part II (Rev. 3, 2026) — Para 3
Refunds within 7 days (card) or 14 working days (agent or portal); no processing fee; credit shell only by passenger's choice; 48-hour free look-in.
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 — Section 2(42)
'Service' includes transport, so passengers can take airline deficiencies to the Consumer Commission.
Where to get help
e-Jagriti (Consumer Commission e-filing)
File a case before the District, State or National Consumer Commission online.
National Consumer Helpline
Free pre-litigation help to resolve complaints with sellers and service providers.
Source & status
- Applies to
- All of India
- Law in force since
- 15 Feb 2023
- Legal review
- Draft — awaiting lawyer review
Educational information, not legal advice for your case. Exact facts and the law that applies matter — speak to a lawyer before acting.