Delayed vs cancelled vs bumped: what changes

Published 16 October 2026 · Self-help information, not legal advice

Passengers often describe all three as “my flight was a mess,” but the legal path changes a lot depending on whether it was a delay, a cancellation, or denied boarding.

This page compares those categories directly so you can file the right claim on day one.

“My flight was delayed 11 hours. What are my rights here?”

A delay claim usually turns on:

• final arrival delay,
• route + carrier scope,
• cause category under the regime,
• distance band (EU/UK) or airline-size/delay band (APPR).

EU261/UK261 amount architecture is in Article 7 (EU261 (opens in a new tab), UK261 (opens in a new tab)); APPR delay compensation amounts are in section 19 (APPR section 19 (opens in a new tab)).

Delay: core rule differences

EU261 / UK261

• Fixed amounts by distance bands under Article 7 structures.
• Delay compensation is due when you arrive 3 hours or more late at your final destination (CJEU Sturgeon (opens in a new tab)). For EU261, Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 changes this to more than 3 hours for flights from 23 October 2027; UK261 is not affected.
• A 50% reduction applies when a re-routed passenger arrives within 2, 3 or 4 hours of schedule depending on the band, and to a plain delay only on the top band when you arrive no more than 4 hours late (EU261 Article 7(2) (opens in a new tab), UK261 retained text (opens in a new tab)).

Amounts used in DIY claims:

• EU: €250 / €400 / €600 (EU261 Article 7(1) (opens in a new tab)).
• UK: £220 / £350 / £520 in retained UK framework usage (UK261 retained text (opens in a new tab)).

Canada APPR

Delay compensation under section 19 (within control and not required for safety):

• Large carrier: C$400 / C$700 / C$1,000.
• Small carrier: C$125 / C$250 / C$500.
• The bands are 3 to 6 hours, 6 to 9 hours, and 9 hours or more late at your destination.

(APPR section 19 (opens in a new tab))

Cancellation: notice and replacement matter

Under EU261/UK261, cancellation compensation outcomes can depend on notice timing and replacement flight timing windows in Article 5(1)(c) structures (EU261 Article 5 (opens in a new tab), UK261 retained text (opens in a new tab)).

Under APPR, a cancellation within the airline's control and not required for safety earns compensation only if you were told 14 days or less before departure; the amount then follows the same arrival-delay bands (APPR section 19 (opens in a new tab)).

Do not file a cancellation claim with only “flight was cancelled.” Include:

• when you were informed,
• what replacement was offered,
• final arrival delay,
• whether you took refund instead.

“I was put on a different flight and arrived 2h24 late — am I entitled?”

Under EU261 and UK261 it depends on when you were told (EU261 Article 5(1)(c) (opens in a new tab)):

• Told less than 7 days before departure: the airline is exempt only if the new flight left no more than 1 hour early and arrived less than 2 hours late. At 2h24 late you are owed compensation unless extraordinary circumstances apply. It can be halved on flights over 1,500 km if you arrived within 3 hours (4 hours on flights over 3,500 km) (EU261 Article 7(2) (opens in a new tab)).
• Told 7 to 13 days before: the airline is exempt if the new flight left no more than 2 hours early and arrived less than 4 hours late, so 2h24 late is not enough.
• Told 14 days or more before: no compensation.

Use checker with actual replacement times entered.

Denied boarding (“bumped”): separate from delay/cancellation

Denied boarding usually has its own table and trigger architecture:

• EU/UK: denied boarding rights and compensation framework in Article 4 + Article 7 systems (EU261 Articles 4 and 7 (opens in a new tab), UK261 retained text (opens in a new tab)).
• APPR: C$900 if you arrive less than 6 hours late, C$1,800 for 6 to 9 hours, C$2,400 for 9 hours or more, in section 20 (APPR section 20 (opens in a new tab)).
• US: 200% up to $1,075 and 400% up to $2,150 in specified circumstances under 14 CFR 250.5 (14 CFR 250.5 (opens in a new tab)).

This is why “bumped” claims can pay more than ordinary delay claims under some frameworks.

US routes: refund and bumping are the practical focus

For US federal sources in this toolkit:

• denied boarding compensation = Part 250,
• cancellation/significant change refund obligations = Part 260.

(14 CFR Part 250 (opens in a new tab), 14 CFR Part 260 (opens in a new tab))

There is no broad federal delay-pay table in these parts like EU/APPR structures.

Side-by-side quick table

Delay

• EU: €250/€400/€600, conditions apply.
• UK: £220/£350/£520, conditions apply.
• APPR: C$400/700/1,000 large; C$125/250/500 small.
• US: no general delay cash scheme in cited parts.

Cancellation

• EU/UK: notice + replacement timing + cause framework matters.
• APPR: section 19 category + delay outcome structure.
• US: refunds under Part 260 for cancellation/significant change contexts.

Denied boarding

• EU/UK: separate compensation right.
• APPR: C$900/1,800/2,400.
• US: 200% up to $1,075; 400% up to $2,150.

Filing correctly by event type

When you submit, use the event label the regulation uses:

• “delay claim,”
• “cancellation claim,”
• “denied boarding claim.”

Mixing labels makes it harder for the airline to apply the right rule, and easier to refuse.

“Can I ask for the full C$2,400?”

If your issue is APPR denied boarding, the full C$2,400 applies when you reach your destination 9 hours or more late (APPR section 20 (opens in a new tab)).

If your issue is US denied boarding, amount depends on fare and delay thresholds in 14 CFR 250.5 (14 CFR 250.5 (opens in a new tab)).

So yes, ask for the exact bracket you meet, with timing proof.

What to do next

1. Identify event type first.
2. Run checker.
3. Open corresponding regime page: EU261, UK261, APPR, or US guide.
4. Submit with letter template.

Getting the event type right means the airline is answering the claim you actually have.

Self-help information and templates only; this is self-help, not legal advice.

Related guides

• EU261 decision tree: am I owed compensation?
• UK261 decision tree: am I owed compensation?
• Canada APPR decision tree: compensation for delays and cancellations
• US flight delay and cancellation rights: refunds, not compensation

This article is self-help information, not legal advice. It explains published rules so you can claim yourself; check the sources below and your own booking before relying on it.