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Flight Delay, Cancellation and Baggage Claim Checklist

Use this checklist when a flight is delayed or canceled, or when a bag is lost, delayed, or damaged. For background, see Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation, EU261 and UK261 Flight Compensation, and Lost, Delayed and Damaged Baggage Claims.

At the Airport

  • Photograph departure boards and save airline texts, emails, and app notifications showing delays and reasons given.
  • Ask the airline in writing (app chat or email) for the reason for the delay or cancellation.
  • Ask for meal and hotel vouchers if the delay is overnight; keep receipts if you pay yourself.
  • If bumped involuntarily, ask for written denied boarding compensation information.
  • For a missing or damaged bag, file a report at the baggage office before leaving the airport.

Refunds

  • If your flight was canceled or significantly changed and you did not travel, request (or confirm) a refund to your original form of payment.
  • Credit card refunds are due within 7 business days; other payments within 20 calendar days.
  • Request refunds of fees for services you did not receive, such as seats or Wi-Fi.

International and European Flights

  • Note your scheduled and actual arrival times at the gate.
  • For EU or UK flights delayed three hours or more, submit a written compensation claim to the operating airline.
  • Keep all receipts for expenses caused by the delay for a Montreal Convention claim.
  • Calendar the two-year Montreal Convention deadline.

Baggage Deadlines

  • Damaged baggage on an international trip: written complaint within 7 days
  • Delayed baggage on an international trip: written complaint within 21 days of receiving the bag
  • Domestic trips: follow the airline’s contract of carriage deadlines, which may be short
  • Request a bag fee refund for lost or significantly delayed bags

If the Airline Says No

  • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation for refund and baggage issues.
  • For EU or UK flights, escalate to the national enforcement body or dispute resolution scheme.
  • Contact us if the amounts are significant or you were injured; see Airline Passenger Injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I accept a travel voucher instead of a refund?

You do not have to. If you are entitled to a refund under DOT’s rule, the airline must offer cash or the original form of payment. Accept a voucher only if you prefer it and understand its terms and expiration.

Do I need receipts for a delayed bag claim?

Yes. Keep receipts for necessities you buy while waiting and for the value of anything lost or damaged. Airlines usually reimburse reasonable, documented expenses.

What is the most common mistake?

Missing the written complaint deadline, especially the 7-day damage deadline and 21-day delay deadline for international baggage claims.

Talk With an Aviation Attorney

If you have a flight disruption or baggage problem, call Muggeo & Associates at (978) 741-1177, text the same number, or request a consultation online. We answer calls 24/7. Offices in Salem, Massachusetts and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Attorney Louis J. Muggeo has more than 2,000 hours of civilian flight time. Many small claims can be resolved directly with the airline, and we will tell you when that is the better route.

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Airline rules, government regulations, and treaty limits change, and outcomes depend on the facts. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. Last reviewed November 2026.