We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on
the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective
editorial perspectives.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that
appear on our site. This compensation helps us provide tools and services -
like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of
mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner
compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we
highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your
credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.
However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot
pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.
JetBlue Flight Delay Compensation: What to Know
Legally, JetBlue doesn't owe you anything if your flight is delayed, but there are ways to get something out of it.
Lee is a freelance travel writer and podcast host based in Nashville, Tennessee. He loves to travel with his wife and two children using miles and points. Lee has held the Southwest Companion Pass since 2007 and enjoys being spoiled thanks to his Kimpton Inner Circle status.
Chris Burkhardt is a former freelance editor for NerdWallet, helping with travel and credit card related content. A graduate of the University of Oregon, Chris has been a writer, editor, videographer and more in his 10 years as a journalist. Prior to joining the NerdWallet team in 2021, Chris was a digital media producer for NBC Sports — where his numerous trips around the country covering major sporting events helped his understanding of the travel world.
When not editing articles for NerdWallet, Chris can be heard hosting sports talk radio on iHeart Radio’s Rip City Radio 620 or running the digital content for the Oregon School Activities Association.
Chris is based in Portland, Oregon.
Published
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and
relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving
writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and
complete as possible.
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on
NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not
been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
With tight schedules, erratic weather and crew shortages, it seems like flights get delayed more than ever these days. Flight delays are not only frustrating, but they can also impact connecting flights, event tickets and other aspects of your trip.
If you’re flying on JetBlue Airways, it helps to understand the JetBlue flight delay compensation rules to protect your rights.
8 things to know about JetBlue flight delay compensation
Whether or not JetBlue will compensate you for a delayed flight depends on several factors, including where you’re flying to or from, how long the delay is and why the flight was delayed.
1. There is no Passenger Bill of Rights in the U.S.
The U.S. has yet to adopt a universal Passenger Bill of Rights. However, the Department of Transportation tracks what each airline offers and makes that information available on its cancellation and delay dashboard. This helps to inform passengers of airline policies and holds the airlines accountable.
Subscribe to our free TravelNerd newsletter for inspiration, tips and money-saving strategies, delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional
content and agree to our Terms of Use
and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
2. You may not be entitled to anything
Although there is a JetBlue delayed flight compensation schedule, it doesn't apply to all situations.
The airline does not offer compensation for weather and other uncontrollable events. Additionally, if your flight delay is relatively short, you won’t receive any benefits.
3. You may receive flight credits for delays
This chart highlights the compensation passengers may receive when their flight is delayed by at least three hours. Any delay less than three hours will not qualify for a flight credit.
Delay time
Compensation amount
3 hours
$50 credit.
4 hours
$100 credit.
5 hours
$150 credit.
6 hours or more
$200 credit.
4. JetBlue can offer multiple types of compensation
Flight delay compensation does not have to involve cash payment. JetBlue may offer other benefits in addition to, or instead of, cash. These benefits may include:
Future flight credits.
Tickets on another JetBlue flight.
Rebooking on another airline.
Meal vouchers.
Hotel accommodations.
When speaking with customer service about JetBlue delayed flight compensation, keep these options in mind. Consider asking for one or more types of compensation, depending on your situation and the length of the delay.
5. Delayed flights from the U.K./EU may get cash compensation
With its recent expansion to Europe, JetBlue compensation for delayed flights has other factors to consider. JetBlue now offers flights between the U.S. and the U.K., Paris and will soon add Amsterdam.
If your flight out of the U.K. or EU back to the U.S. is delayed, UK-261/EU-261 rules govern JetBlue flight delay compensation. This chart highlights your benefits on these flights when your arrival is delayed by three hours or longer.
Distance
Compensation
Routes
1,500 km or less
250 euros or 220 GBP.
N/A.
1,501 - 3,500 km
400 euros or 350 GBP.
N/A.
3,501 km or more
600 euros or 520 GBP.
All JetBlue routes from Europe back to the U.S.
6. Explore all options for reaching customer service
When your JetBlue flight is delayed, you may be asked to get in line to speak with a gate agent. While you can step in line, don’t let that be your only option.
Attempt to contact JetBlue customer service over the phone, on its mobile app or through social media. These avenues may be much quicker than waiting in line.
7. JetBlue could put you on another airline
Depending on flight availability, JetBlue may rebook you on another airline to get you to your final destination. JetBlue delayed flight compensation rules allow this.
If JetBlue switches your flight to another airline, ask JetBlue to add to your TrueBlue account the flight credits and points that you would have earned had your original flight operated on schedule.
8. Don’t forget about credit card travel protections
Many travel credit cards offer travel protections that cover passengers when flights are delayed or canceled. Although JetBlue has its own credit cards, those cards don’t offer these benefits.
Depending on which card you use to book your flight, you may be reimbursed for meals, hotels and other reasonable expenses. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® reimburses up to $500 per traveler when flights are delayed for six hours or longer or when a delay necessitates an overnight stay.
The bottom line about JetBlue flight delay compensation
When your flight doesn’t depart on time, take advantage of the JetBlue flight delay compensation rules.
Your compensation may vary depending on where you’re flying to, how long the delay is and the reason for the delay.
Don’t forget about possible credit card benefits. They can supplement compensation from JetBlue or take care of you if JetBlue policies don’t offer compensation.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.