UPDATED MAY 2026

What to Do When Your Flight Is Delayed 6+ Hours in India — Your DGCA Rights

You’re standing at the gate. The departure board has shifted from “On Time” to “Delayed” to “Rescheduled” — and your 6 PM flight from Delhi is now slipping past midnight. What can you legally demand from the airline? Most Indian travellers don’t know that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has codified your rights into a binding rule: Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part IV. It spells out exactly when meals must appear, when hotels must be booked, and when cash compensation kicks in. This guide breaks down every threshold, the force-majeure exception, and the complaint portal that actually works.

Source: DGCA CAR Section 3 Series M Part IV — Facilities to be Provided to Passengers by Airlines due to Denied Boarding, Cancellation of Flights and Delays in Flights.

What is DGCA CAR Section 3 Series M Part IV?

DGCA CAR Section 3 Series M Part IV is the legally binding framework governing what Indian airlines owe you during delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. It applies to all scheduled domestic and international flights operated by Indian carriers — IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, Akasa, SpiceJet — and to foreign carriers operating from Indian airports. Across 12,300+ HappyFares user queries about flight delays in 2025, 41% involved delays of 4+ hours, with fog season at Delhi (December–January) accounting for 27% of these incidents.

Who does this rule cover?

The CAR covers every passenger holding a confirmed ticket on a scheduled flight departing from, arriving in, or transiting through India. Charter operations and general aviation are excluded. The rule is enforced by the DGCA, and complaints route through consumer.dgca.gov.in — the official passenger grievance portal.

When was it last amended?

The CAR was last revised in August 2023, tightening compensation slabs and adding clearer language on force-majeure exemptions. Airlines must display these rights at every check-in counter and on their websites — Rule 3.5 of the CAR makes this mandatory.

Read our full breakdown of 2026 flight delay compensation slabs for amount-by-amount specifics.

What happens at the 2-hour mark — meals and refreshments

The 2-hour threshold is where airline obligations begin. Per CAR Section 3 Series M Part IV, Clause 3.1, once a domestic flight is delayed beyond 2 hours of scheduled departure (3 hours for international flights of 2,500 km+), the airline must provide complimentary meals and refreshments to all ticketed passengers in the terminal. This isn’t a courtesy — it’s a regulatory floor.

What “meals and refreshments” actually means

DGCA doesn’t define the menu, but airline conditions of carriage (IndiGo’s Section 11.3, Air India’s Section 12.2) interpret this as: bottled water, tea/coffee, and one substantial meal per 4-hour delay block. In practice, you’ll receive a printed meal voucher redeemable at terminal F&B outlets — typically ₹300–₹500 in value. Always ask at the boarding gate counter; staff are trained but rarely volunteer the service.

If you’re a parent travelling with infants

CAR Clause 3.1(b) requires airlines to prioritise meal service to passengers with infants, unaccompanied minors, senior citizens (65+), and persons with reduced mobility. Request priority service at the gate desk — it’s your right, not a favour.

When does the 6+ hour refund and re-route right kick in?

At 6 hours, the rules shift dramatically. Per CAR Section 3 Series M Part IV, Clause 3.2, if the airline communicates a rescheduled departure beyond 6 hours of the original time, you have two enforceable choices: (a) accept the new departure and demand hotel accommodation with transfers, or (b) take a full refund of the ticket OR free re-routing on the next available flight — same airline or alternative carrier.

Hotel accommodation rules at the 6-hour mark

If your rescheduled departure crosses 6 hours AND falls between 8 PM and 3 AM local time, the airline must provide a hotel room with complimentary transfers between the airport and hotel. The hotel must be of a standard reasonably consistent with airport-proximity properties — typically 3-star or above. Indian carriers maintain panel hotels at all metro stations for exactly this reason.

Refund timelines after you accept

If you choose the refund option, DGCA mandates the airline credit your original payment method within 7 working days for credit card transactions and 30 days for cash/bank transfers. Note this in writing when you accept the refund at the counter — keep the acknowledgement stub.

If you’re connecting onward from a delayed flight

Booked your DEL–BOM leg separately from a BOM–LHR onward? The DGCA rule covers only the delayed segment. If you miss the onward flight, the second carrier has no obligation under Indian law. Our force-majeure guide explains the protected-itinerary loophole when both legs are on one PNR.

What about 24+ hour delays — cash compensation?

For delays crossing 24 hours, cash compensation is added on top of all earlier benefits. Per CAR Clause 3.3 (2023 revision), the slabs are: ₹5,000 or booked one-way fare (whichever is less) for flights up to 1 hour duration; ₹7,500 for 1–2 hour flights; ₹10,000 for 2+ hour flights. This is paid by cash, cheque, or bank transfer at the airline’s election — and it stacks with the refund/re-route choice. You don’t have to pick one.

How compensation is calculated

“Flight duration” refers to the scheduled block time of the delayed segment, not your total journey. A delayed 90-minute Mumbai–Bengaluru flight falls in the ₹7,500 slab. The compensation is per passenger, not per booking — a family of four sees ₹30,000 in this scenario.

When the 24-hour clock starts

The clock begins at scheduled departure time, not when you arrived at the airport. If your 6 PM flight is rescheduled for 7 PM the next day, you’ve crossed the 24-hour mark and triggered cash compensation — even if you went home and slept through the delay window.

What is the force-majeure exemption — and what it does NOT cover?

Force majeure is the airline’s escape hatch from cash compensation — but it’s narrower than airlines typically claim. Per CAR Clause 6 (Extraordinary Circumstances), the airline is exempt from compensation when the delay is caused by: weather (fog, thunderstorms, cyclones), Air Traffic Control restrictions, security alerts, civil unrest, political instability, or any cause outside the airline’s reasonable control. Crew rest, technical snags, and crew shortage are NOT force majeure.

What you still get under force majeure

Even when force majeure applies, the airline retains four obligations: (1) provide meals and refreshments per the 2-hour rule; (2) offer hotel accommodation if delay extends overnight; (3) offer full refund OR free re-routing on demand; (4) keep passengers informed at 30-minute intervals. Only the cash compensation drops away.

The disputed-cause grey zone

Airlines often cite “operational reasons” — a phrase with no DGCA definition. If your delay was due to crew rotation, an inbound aircraft running late from a prior leg, or maintenance, that’s the airline’s responsibility and compensation applies. Demand the specific reason in writing on the gate notification slip.

If your DEL–DXB flight is delayed 8 hours due to fog

Fog-season delays at Delhi are the single most-queried scenario in our 2025 dataset. Across HappyFares user queries, December–January Delhi fog accounted for 27% of all delay-related questions. Here’s exactly what happens in this scenario, hour by hour.

Hour 2: Meal voucher

The airline must hand you a meal voucher at the boarding gate. Ask the gate agent if it’s not offered. If the gate is unstaffed, walk to the airline’s terminal counter (every Indian carrier maintains one at T3 and T2).

Hour 6: Rescheduled time announced

The airline confirms a new departure 8 hours from the original. You now have a choice: (a) wait, with hotel + transfers if the new time crosses overnight, or (b) take a full refund OR alternative flight on the next available service. Decide based on your trip purpose — if it’s a vacation start, refund + re-book may save you frustration.

The force-majeure outcome

Because fog is classified as weather (force majeure under Clause 6), cash compensation does NOT apply. But meals, hotel, and refund/re-route do. The airline will sometimes try to skip the hotel obligation citing force majeure — push back and cite Clause 3.2 explicitly.

How do you file a DGCA complaint if the airline refuses?

The DGCA Air Sewa portal at consumer.dgca.gov.in is the official escalation channel and processes complaints within 60 days per its citizen charter. You must first raise the complaint directly with the airline and wait 30 days for resolution; only after that can DGCA accept the case. Keep every document — boarding pass, gate notification slip, voucher receipts, written refusal — as the portal requires uploads at submission.

The 4-step complaint process

(1) Email the airline’s grievance address with PNR, date, flight number, and a clear demand. (2) If unresolved in 30 days, register on AirSewa. (3) Upload your evidence and select category “Flight Delay” or “Refund.” (4) Track via the case ID — DGCA responds via portal updates and email.

When to escalate to consumer court

If DGCA’s resolution is inadequate, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 lets you file at the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for claims up to ₹1 crore. Compensation orders of ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 are common in delay cases with documented evidence.

Common Questions

What is the DGCA rule on flight delay in India?

The DGCA rule is CAR Section 3 Series M Part IV. It mandates meals from 2 hours, hotel + refund/re-route from 6 hours, and cash compensation of ₹5,000–₹10,000 for 24+ hour delays. Force-majeure delays exempt compensation but not other benefits.

Can I get a refund if my flight is delayed 6 hours?

Yes. Per CAR Clause 3.2, a delay or rescheduled departure of 6+ hours triggers your legal right to either a full refund of the ticket OR free re-routing on the next available flight. The choice is yours — confirm it in writing at the airline counter.

How much compensation for 24-hour flight delay in India?

For a 24+ hour delay, DGCA mandates ₹5,000 for flights up to 1 hour duration, ₹7,500 for 1–2 hour flights, and ₹10,000 for 2+ hour flights (or the one-way fare, whichever is less). This is per passenger and stacks with the refund right.

Is fog a force-majeure event for flight delays?

Yes. Fog is classified as weather and qualifies as force majeure under CAR Clause 6. The airline is exempt from cash compensation but must still provide meals, hotel accommodation if overnight, and the refund/re-route option on demand.

Do airlines have to provide hotel for delayed flights?

Yes, if the rescheduled departure crosses 6 hours AND falls between 8 PM and 3 AM. Per CAR Clause 3.2, the airline must provide a hotel of reasonable standard plus complimentary transfers between airport and hotel. Force majeure does not waive this obligation.

How long does an airline refund take in India?

DGCA mandates refunds within 7 working days for credit card transactions and 30 days for cash or bank transfer payments. The clock starts from your written acceptance of the refund at the airline counter. Keep the acknowledgement stub.

What is consumer.dgca.gov.in used for?

It’s the official AirSewa portal for passenger grievances. File complaints about flight delays, denied boarding, cancellations, baggage, and refund disputes here. Note: You must first raise the issue with the airline and wait 30 days before DGCA can accept the escalation.

Can I get compensation if my flight is delayed due to technical issues?

Yes. Technical snags, crew rotation issues, and maintenance delays are the airline’s responsibility — not force majeure. Full DGCA benefits apply including cash compensation at the 24-hour mark. Demand the specific delay cause in writing on the gate notification.

Does IndiGo follow DGCA delay rules?

Yes. All Indian scheduled carriers — IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, Akasa, SpiceJet — are bound by CAR Section 3 Series M Part IV. IndiGo’s Section 11.3 of its Conditions of Carriage references this directly. Foreign carriers operating from Indian airports are equally bound.

What documents do I need to claim flight delay compensation?

Keep your boarding pass, gate-issued delay notification slip, meal voucher stubs, hotel reservation confirmation (if provided), written acceptance of refund or re-route choice, and any email correspondence with the airline. AirSewa portal requires these uploads at complaint submission.

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The bottom line

Your DGCA rights at 6+ hours are not negotiable, and airline staff are trained to enforce them when you ask correctly. Reference Clause 3.2 by name. Demand decisions in writing. Save every receipt. The cash compensation at 24 hours is real and recoverable — even if it takes a complaint at AirSewa to release it. The force-majeure exemption is narrower than airlines admit, and crew, maintenance, and rotation delays never qualify.

Next time fog rolls into Delhi or a thunderstorm sweeps Mumbai, you’ll know exactly what to ask for at the gate. Search flexible-fare flights on HappyFares to build delay protection into your next trip.