Most airlines won’t compensate you if your flight is delayed, although they will put you on another flight, and it never hurts to ask. However, you can file a flight delay claim through a third party, and several independent companies will handle your claim and communicate with the airline on your behalf. Most travelers aren’t aware of this, or simply don’t want to take the trouble to do it, although it’s well worth it as you can potentially receive compensation for several times the ticket price. In general, your flight would have to be delayed by at least a few hours or canceled, and no reasonable alternative offered to you. You’ll need to provide verification of the delay, and be prepared to be patient as the process can take months. But next time you’re delayed, keep a record of all communication between you and the airline.
