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.
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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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