US FederalWhat rights do I have if my flight is canceled and the airline won't rebook me?
If your flight is canceled and the airline refuses to rebook you, federal law prohibits airlines from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices—including unreasonably denying rebooking—under 49 U.S.C. § 41712.
What the Law Says
Federal law prohibits airlines from using unfair or deceptive practices—including failing to reasonably accommodate passengers after a cancellation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces this rule and may investigate complaints.
Under the Airline Deregulation Act, airlines must not engage in 'unfair or deceptive acts or practices' or 'unfair methods of competition.' This includes refusing to rebook passengers after a cancellation without reasonable justification.
While U.S. law does not require airlines to provide cash compensation for cancellations (unlike EU rules), it does require them to offer either a full refund or rebooking on another flight — and denying both may violate 49 U.S.C. § 41712.
The DOT has clarified that airlines must treat passengers fairly during disruptions, and blanket refusal to rebook—even for operational reasons—can be deemed deceptive if it contradicts the airline’s own contract of carriage or public commitments.
Statutory TextA person may not engage in an unfair or deceptive act or practice in air transportation or the sale of air transportation.
— 49 U.S.C. § 41712 — Unfair and deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition
Statutory TextA person may not engage in an unfair method of competition in air transportation or the sale of air transportation.
— 49 U.S.C. § 41712 — Unfair and deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition
What to Do
Contact the airline immediately and request rebooking or a full refund — cite your right under 49 U.S.C. § 41712.
Review the airline’s Contract of Carriage (usually online) for its specific cancellation and rebooking policies.
File a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation at https://www.airconsumer.gov.
Keep records: booking confirmation, cancellation notice, and all communication with the airline.
If denied relief and the airline’s conduct appears unreasonable or inconsistent with its published policies, the DOT may investigate for potential violation of § 41712.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.