The legal distinction between a delay and cancellation affects your rights. Some airlines try to reclassify cancellations as delays to avoid paying.
When Is It a Cancellation?
A flight is considered cancelled when:
- The original flight number no longer operates
- You're moved to a different flight
- The flight departs but returns to origin without reaching destination
When Is It a Delay?
A flight is delayed when:
- The same flight operates but departs later than scheduled
- You keep your original seat and flight number
Why Does It Matter?
For cancellations:
- Compensation is due unless you had 14+ days notice
- You're entitled to a full refund OR re-routing
- Right to care kicks in immediately
For delays:
- Compensation only if you arrive 3+ hours late
- No right to refund (unless delay exceeds 5 hours)
- Right to care based on delay length
⚠️ Watch Out
Airlines sometimes call a cancelled flight a "delay" to avoid triggering cancellation rights. If you were put on a completely different flight, it's a cancellation.