Flight Delays: When Are Passengers Eligible For Free Meals, Refunds And Hotel Stays?

Flight delays can leave passengers waiting at airports for hours, often without knowing what assistance they are entitled to receive from airlines. To make travellers aware of their rights, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has shared a social media post outlining the facilities passengers may be eligible for depending on the duration of the delay. Scroll down to know more.

Ministry Of Aviation Reveals Facilities Available For Passengers Due To Flight Delay

The Ministry shared an infographic on its official X account with the message, “Delayed? Know What You’re Due!” It highlights three key entitlements: free refreshments and meals, the option to reschedule or get a full refund, and hotel accommodation with airport transfers in certain cases. The post also reminds airlines that they must inform passengers about delays immediately. It clarifies that the delay is calculated from the scheduled departure time. The information is particularly useful for passengers travelling during periods of bad weather, operational disruptions or other circumstances that can affect flight schedules.

According to the Ministry’s post, passengers may be entitled to refreshments and meals free of charge when their flight is delayed. However, the exact entitlement depends on the flight’s scheduled block time and the expected delay. Under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) guidelines, passengers who have checked in on time must be offered free meals and refreshments if the expected delay is two hours or more for flights with a block time of up to two-and-a-half hours. The threshold is three hours for flights with a block time of over two-and-a-half hours and up to five hours, and four hours for longer flights.

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For domestic flights expected to be delayed by more than six hours, airlines must offer passengers the choice of an alternate flight within six hours or a full refund of the ticket.

When Are Passengers Eligible For Hotel Accommodation?

Passengers may also be entitled to hotel accommodation, including airport transfers, in cases of extended or overnight delays. Under DGCA rules, this facility applies when the total delay exceeds 24 hours. It also applies when a flight scheduled to depart between 8 pm and 3 am is delayed by more than six hours. These facilities are subject to applicable conditions, including passengers having checked in on time. Airlines may also be exempt from providing them if the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.

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Passengers facing a delay can contact their airline’s helpdesk to confirm the assistance applicable to their flight. They can also refer to the DGCA’s Passenger Charter for details of the rules and conditions.

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Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/kamiya_jani, Wikimedia Commons

Tanvi Shrivastava | Sub-Editor

Tanvi Nalin Shrivastava is a Sub-Editor at Curly Tales with 5 years of experience in digital journalism and content creation, with expertise spanning beauty, food, travel, fashion and entertainment. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from the University of Mumbai. When she’s not working, you’ll probably find her reading, talking to the camera or just binge-watching rom-coms.