The Guide to Delta Flight Cancellations

Flight cancellations are no fun, especially if you’re on a tight schedule or a cancellation disrupts plans. If you’re flying Delta Air Lines on your next trip, knowing Delta’s flight cancellation policy can help you understand your passenger rights and confidently maneuver around unexpected cancellations.

Here are some pointers for how to deal with Delta flight cancellations so that you’re not caught off guard if this happens to you.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that in 2023, there were 10,016 Delta canceled arrivals. Although experiencing canceled flights on Delta can happen, it's not the only airline to unexpectedly cancel its flights.

There are various reasons your flight itinerary might not go as planned. So, why would Delta cancel flights? Below are a few reasons:

• Staffing issues and backed-up air traffic control. A shortage in airline staff as well as an overtaxed air traffic control system means that when weather disrupts the air travel system, the dominoes can fall pretty quickly. The same thing happens when crews get displaced in other cities or mechanical issues mean that a plane cannot be ready for its next flight.

• Weather-related and mechanical issues. These happen, sometimes more often than travelers like.

• Aircraft damage.

Generally, a flight disruption occurs because there’s a safety concern at play, but it could also arise from staff shortages. If your trip is canceled, there’s recourse through Delta canceled flight compensation.

First, follow the steps that Delta provides in its communication. If you receive the cancellation notification via text, email or an alert in your Delta app, Delta will try to accommodate you on the next available flight. This flight change is at no cost to you.

If no alternate flights are available, or if the new flight Delta assigns you doesn’t suit your needs, you have three options:

• Adjust your itinerary. You can change your flight to a different one by speaking with a Delta associate at the airport or by launching the Delta app. If using the app, go to “My Trips” to see your new flight details. From here, you can check your flight options. Be aware that you might need to pay a price difference with some changes.  

• Cancel the flight and request an eCredit. You have the option to cancel the flight and request an eCredit for the portion of your trip you didn’t use. 

• Cancel the flight and request a refund. If you experience an involuntary Delta flight cancellation, you have the right to request a refund for the unused fare. This refund is applied to the original payment method used to book the flight. 

For upgraded bookings and group travel

If you paid to upgrade your seat (perhaps with a regional or global upgrade certificate that you chose as a Choice Benefit for being a top Medallion member) or are traveling with a group or unaccompanied minor, things get more complicated.

Sometimes, these upgrades may not transfer to your new flight or there may be limited availability. This requires you to call Delta reservations (if you have Medallion elite status, there’s a dedicated number for you to call for faster service). You can also use the Delta app’s messaging feature.

Delta can assist you as long as the ticket was issued by Delta, a joint venture partner, a SkyTeam or code-share partner. It can also help if the Delta flight was canceled and ticketed by another carrier with whom Delta has an agreement.

For flights booked in a travel portal

If you booked your ticket with a travel agent or third-party website (including Chase's travel portal or American Express Membership Rewards), you must contact them directly for a refund. It’s wise to have their information handy for quick access during an unexpected cancellation while traveling.

You may also want to look into online tools like Expert Flyer or SeatSpy to help you find other available flights and track the inbound flight to know if it might be delayed before other passengers discover the delay. It can help to be prepared with other flight options when there are few left and hundreds of people are vying for the next available flight.

» Learn more: Benefits of Delta credit cards

If the proposed change doesn't work for you, requesting a refund for canceled flights on Delta is relatively straightforward. Here’s how to initiate your refund using the Delta app:

1. Launch the Delta app: First, if Delta placed you on an alternate flight, you’ll need to officially cancel it. Open the Delta app and go to “My Trips.” Using your confirmation number, ticket number or credit card number, find your flight.

2. Select “Need to Cancel?”: You’ll see an option to cancel the flight. Tap it and go to the next step, “Start Flight Cancellation.” Follow the prompts to complete your trip cancellation and get a refund to your original form of payment.

3. Check your refund status: Delta offers a convenient way to track pending refunds through its online refund status tool. You’ll need your full name and ticket number. If you were issued a refund request number, you can enter it in the tool, too.

If you used miles for the ticket, Delta will refund the miles and any taxes that were charged. If you purchased a “Pay With Miles” ticket as a benefit of holding a Delta SkyMiles-affiliated American Express card, the refund comes in the form of a travel credit. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

If Delta cancels a flight for reasons within its control (maintenance or unavailable crew), the airline will typically offer assistance. For example, it might provide hotel accommodation, ground transportation between the airport and the hotel, and meals to passengers for canceled flights. If, however, the cancellation is due to a reason outside of its control — like inclement weather — the onus falls on the passenger.

Aside from the Delta flight cancellation policy, you might have other protections at play if your Delta flight is canceled.

Federal protections in the U.S.

Currently, if a flight is canceled in the U.S., the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) doesn’t require airlines to provide compensation for delayed or canceled flights, although some seat selection or checked baggage fees should be refunded. However, moving forward, the DOT is requiring heightened consumer protections when it comes to canceled flights.

A new law, effective June 25, 2024, requires U.S. and foreign airline carriers to notify consumers of their right to a refund and to provide automatic refunds for significant involuntary itinerary changes or flight cancellations. This rule applies to flights to, from and within the U.S., and refunds must be provided within seven days for credit card bookings and within 20 days for other payment methods.

Flight cancellation protections abroad

If you’re departing from a European Union member country or territory on any airline or traveling with an EU-based airline to an EU country, Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004, often referred to as EC261, can help.

Depending upon the distance of your flight and length of delay, you can receive $269 to $646 (250 to 600 euros) as compensation. Weather and labor disputes are not eligible. Instead, this coverage is only for delays and cancellations related to reasons within the airline’s control, such as a mechanical or staffing issue.

» Learn more: A credit card can rescue your trip from stormy weather

Travel protection through travel credit cards

If you booked your ticket with a card that provides travel insurance, there are built-in protections. These usually require that the flight disruption result in a severely delayed arrival to your destination or requires an overnight stay.

In those instances, keep all documentation regarding the Delta flight canceled so you can file an insurance claim. Remember, the insurance company still has the final say, but it provides coverage in the event of a weather delay or reimbursement if you miss other prepaid reservations along your trip.

Illness, severe weather or flight cancellations are all valid reasons for travel insurance protection, depending on your coverage eligibility.

What if you don't have a card with travel insurance?

Not everyone has a card with travel insurance. In this situation, consider purchasing travel insurance ahead of your flight. This option offers compensation for a hotel and meals in the event of an overnight delay.

These policies can be especially helpful when traveling to start a cruise, for example. If you miss the ship due to a canceled flight and need to purchase a new flight to catch up with the ship, cruise travel insurance or even other less-specialized coverage can help protect your costs.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

While cancellations aren’t pleasant, Delta’s flight cancellation policy provides a few options, whether you’d like to rebook your trip or simply get a refund. By using the Delta app, website or reservations line, you can manage the rebooking process. If you booked through a third party, that agency can assist, too.

Savvy travelers know that holding the right credit card with solid travel insurance (or buying a separate travel insurance policy) can come in handy in the event of a flight cancellation.

American Express insurance disclosures