SAS US flight delay, cancellation and refund rights
A flight actually operated by SAS between Europe and the United States can be covered by EC261 in both directions because SAS is a qualifying European operator. A US-to-Europe segment operated by a US codeshare partner normally falls outside EC261, even with an SK number. Separately, US Department of Transportation rules require prompt refunds after a cancellation or significant change when the passenger does not accept alternative transportation or credit. The United States does not provide a general federal EUR-style payment for ordinary delay or cancellation.
Free eligibility check
Check your case in the form
Enter your route, date and type of disruption. We will check whether your case qualifies for a claim under EU 261/2004 or UK261.
What happened to your flight?
Claim up to €600 for a delayed or cancelled flight.
Choose the situation that applies to your flight:
Identify direction, operating carrier and chosen travel remedy before combining European and US rules.
Coverage by direction and operator
| Flight | EC261 position | US refund position |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA to US, operated by SAS | Covered departure | DOT rules also apply to US-linked transport where their conditions are met |
| EU/EEA to US, operated by a US partner | Covered because it leaves Europe | DOT refund can be relevant after cancellation or significant change |
| US to EU/EEA, operated by SAS | Normally covered because SAS is European | DOT refund can coexist as a different remedy |
| US to EU/EEA, operated by a US partner | Normally outside EC261 | DOT consumer rules remain relevant |
| US domestic connection on a separate ticket | Outside EC261 in ordinary circumstances | Apply US contract and DOT rules |
Passenger citizenship and place of purchase do not change the territorial result. A US resident can claim EC261 on a covered SAS service, while a European resident cannot extend it to a partner-operated US departure merely by booking through SAS.
EC261 fixed compensation
For a protected journey over 3,500 km, the standard amount can be EUR 600 per passenger. Delay requires arrival at the protected final destination at least three hours late. Cancellation depends on notice, replacement timing and cause; involuntary denied boarding has its own trigger.
If qualifying rerouting limits arrival to no more than four hours late, Article 7(2) can allow EUR 300 in the relevant circumstances. It is not a blanket reduction for all transatlantic cases.
SAS can avoid fixed delay or cancellation compensation by proving extraordinary circumstances and reasonable measures. Weather, air traffic restrictions and airport closure require flight-specific evidence. Ordinary technical or internal operational issues usually do not satisfy the exception.
The SAS EUR 600 guide explains one-ticket connections and reductions.
US DOT refund right
DOT rules require an automatic prompt refund when an airline cancels or significantly changes a covered flight and the consumer does not accept the offered alternative transportation, travel credit or other compensation. The refund covers the ticket price and fees for services not received under the federal rule.
For credit-card purchases, the airline refund is due within seven business days; for other payment methods, within 20 calendar days. An agent can be responsible for the refund when it is the merchant of record. Preserve who charged the payment and whether the passenger rejected or ignored the alternative.
Accepting and using rerouting changes the refund analysis. It does not necessarily remove EC261 fixed compensation. Keep the travel choice separate from the inconvenience payment.
What counts as a significant change?
DOT defines categories that include substantial schedule changes, different departure or arrival airports, additional connections, a downgrade and certain accessibility-related changes. Apply the current official definition to the itinerary rather than assuming any minor timetable movement triggers a full refund.
Save the original schedule, change notice and proposed alternative. State clearly that the passenger does not accept the changed transport when choosing a refund. Do not use the new ticket and later claim that it was rejected.
For SAS schedule changes, the earlier-flight and timetable guide adds the separate EC261 cancellation analysis.
Codeshare return flights
An SK code on a Delta-operated return from the United States does not make SAS the operating carrier. The fixed EC261 claim normally fails territorial scope for that direct inbound flight because the operator is non-European. A through itinerary beginning in Europe can require more detailed case-law analysis, but a simple return should not be presented as automatically covered.
If SAS operated the return, attach the operated-by record and direct the European compensation request to the relevant SAS entity. Ticket reimbursement can still involve the seller or agent that received payment.
The SAS SkyTeam article separates marketing and operation across partner flights.
Care, rerouting and expenses
On a covered EC261 disruption, meals, hotel accommodation and transport can remain due during the wait. US law and the carrier contract can create additional commitments, but there is no broad US federal requirement identical to Articles 8 and 9 for every delay.
Use reasonable expenses and keep itemised receipts. If SAS fails to provide earliest rerouting after a covered cancellation, document contact attempts and available alternatives before self-booking. Do not buy an avoidably expensive cabin when proportionate transport exists.
Baggage and paid services
International baggage claims are generally governed by the Montreal Convention. Obtain a PIR, keep baggage tags and meet written notice periods. The current revised ceiling is 1,519 SDR per passenger, but it is a liability limit rather than an automatic payout.
DOT refunds can include fees for services not provided, such as baggage or a paid seat, under the applicable conditions. That repayment is not EUR 600. Describe each service and amount separately.
Build a two-regime claim file
Record the complete itinerary, operator on every sector, original and actual schedule, final door-opening time, cancellation or change notice and travel choice. For EC261, calculate the amount per passenger and address the cause. For DOT refund, show rejection of alternative transport and the original payment route.
Avoid duplicate recovery for the same item. A ticket refund returns the fare; fixed EC261 compensation addresses inconvenience. Both can coexist when their independent triggers are met.
Rules were verified on 26 August 2026. Check the current DOT page when claiming, as US definitions and procedures can be amended independently of EU law.
FAQ
Is an SAS-operated New York-to-Europe flight covered by EC261?
It can be, because SAS is a qualifying European operator even though the flight departs the United States.
Is a Delta-operated return covered because it has an SK code?
Normally not under EC261 for a direct US departure. The actual non-European operator controls the inbound territorial test.
Does the US pay fixed compensation for every long delay?
No. Federal US rules do not provide a general EC261-style payment for ordinary delay or cancellation.
How quickly is a DOT refund due?
The federal timetable is seven business days for credit-card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
Can I receive a refund and EUR 600?
Potentially, because fare repayment and EC261 compensation are different remedies, provided both sets of conditions are met without duplicate recovery.