Flight Delayed or Cancelled at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)?
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a United hub and the main international gateway for the Washington, DC area. Many travelers connect here to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Airlines and terminals
United carries most IAD passengers. Southwest, American, Delta, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, and many international airlines also serve Dulles.
IAD has one Main Terminal and midfield Concourses A, B, C, and D, connected by the AeroTrain and walkways. Build in time to get to the gate.
Your options depend on the airline operating or selling your ticket. Airline guides: United, American, Delta, Southwest.
Common causes of delays at IAD
- Summer thunderstorms
- Winter snow and ice
- Tight international connections
Crew and many maintenance problems are generally within the airline's control; weather is not. See our weather delay guide.
The DOT refund rule
Under the US DOT refund rule (14 CFR Part 260), if your IAD flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you turn down the changed flight, the rebooking, and any voucher or credit, the airline has to refund your fare, taxes, and unused paid extras to the card or method you paid with. The cause doesn't matter.
A significant change includes departing 3+ hours earlier or arriving 3+ hours later than scheduled on a domestic trip (6+ hours international), a different airport, extra connections, or a cabin downgrade. Refunds are due within 7 business days for credit cards and 20 calendar days for other payment types. Accepting the rebooked flight or a credit generally ends the refund right.
Meals, hotels, and rebooking
On the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard, large US airlines commit to free rebooking and a meal or meal voucher for 3+ hour waits when the disruption is within their control. All except Frontier also commit to a hotel and ride for overnight disruptions. Weather and air traffic control usually fall outside these commitments.
A local tip for IAD
If you miss a United connection to an overseas flight, ask about partner airlines. United commits to partner rebooking for controllable disruptions.
What to do
- Note the original and new times, and the reason given.
- Don't tap accept on a new flight or credit until you've decided.
- Ask about meal and hotel vouchers for controllable delays.
- Save receipts for anything you pay yourself.
- Send a clear, dated letter to the airline.
Related guides: Flight cancelled, Missed connection, How to request a refund in writing, All US airport guides. Not sure where to start? Check your flight.
FAQ
Do I go to Dulles or Reagan National for my flight? Check your booking. Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA) are different airports about 25 miles apart. See our Reagan National guide.
Where can I complain if the airline doesn't respond? You can file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation. A clear written request with your records makes the next step easier.
Can I request a refund if my IAD flight was cancelled for weather? Yes. The DOT refund rule covers cancellations for any reason, as long as you decline the rebooking and any voucher or credit.
Create your letter
Delay Draft writes a clear, professional letter you send to your airline yourself. Delay Draft is not a law firm and does not file claims.