My flight was delayed or cancelled — what am I owed?
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
The Air Passenger Bill of Rights (DOTC-DTI Joint Administrative Order No. 1, s. 2012) sets your minimum entitlements. For a terminal delay of at least 3 hours after the estimated time of departure — whether or not the airline caused it — you are entitled to amenities such as refreshments/meals, communication (a phone call or email), and first aid if needed, plus the option to rebook without penalty or to a refund or endorsement to another carrier. If the airline itself causes a delay of 6 hours or more, the flight is deemed cancelled and you gain cancellation-level remedies, including compensation and the right to be rebooked or refunded. For a cancellation, you are entitled to a full refund of the fare (including taxes and surcharges) or free rebooking, and to the amenities above while you wait. Keep your booking, boarding pass, and the airline's delay/cancellation notice; claim at the airline's counter or customer service first, then escalate to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) if the airline fails to comply.
Primary sources
Frequently asked
How long is 'a delay' before I'm owed anything?
Under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (JAO No. 1, s. 2012), a terminal delay of at least 3 hours after the estimated departure entitles you to amenities and the option to rebook, refund, or be endorsed to another carrier — regardless of the cause.
What happens if the airline causes a 6-hour delay?
A delay of 6 hours or more attributable to the airline is deemed a cancellation, which triggers cancellation-level remedies: compensation and the right to a rebooking or a refund, in addition to the amenities you are owed while waiting.
The airline blames weather — do I still get anything?
For the 3-hour amenity/rebooking/refund entitlements, the JAO applies whether or not the airline caused the delay. Compensation for a deemed-cancellation generally attaches when the airline is the cause; a purely weather/force-majeure disruption may limit compensation but not your rebooking/refund options.
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