Small Claims · Airline Disputes

Hold an airline accountable.

A canceled flight with no refund, baggage lost or destroyed, a bump from an overbooked flight, or fees you never agreed to — airlines count on you giving up. You don't have to. For most money disputes under your state's limit, small claims is a fast, lawyer-free option. Just tell Eleanor what happened, and Squabble turns it into the right next step.

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An airline dispute is a small-claims case over money — a refund you're owed, lost or damaged baggage, denied boarding, or fees an airline won't make right. Squabble turns that into court-ready action — a custom demand letter, the file-ready document set, optional service of process, and support — without hiring a lawyer. Note: some rights come from federal DOT rules or, for international trips, the Montreal Convention; a serious in-flight injury is a personal-injury matter that usually exceeds small-claims limits and needs an attorney.

What we help with

You're not alone.

Most airline disputes follow a familiar shape. Find yours below — then tell Eleanor what happened, in plain English.

Refund you never got

A canceled or changed flight where the airline owes a refund and keeps stalling.

Lost, late, or damaged bags

Baggage that never arrived, showed up destroyed, or was delayed for days.

Bumped from an overbooked flight

Denied boarding against your will — with compensation you're owed under U.S. rules.

Fees you never agreed to

Surprise charges, double charges, or fees that don't match what you booked.

Stranded by a cancellation

Out-of-pocket costs — hotels, meals, a replacement flight — from a cancellation they mishandled.

A voucher instead of a refund

Pushed to take a credit when you were entitled to your money back.

Every kind of airline problem

Whatever the airline did, the playbook is the same.

A $200 baggage claim or a ruined trip — if an airline owes you money and won't pay, the path to recovery looks the same.

Canceled FlightDamaged BagsDenied BoardingRefund OwedHidden FeesDowngradeStranded CostsPet / Special ItemMontreal ConventionCanceled FlightDamaged BagsDenied BoardingRefund OwedHidden FeesDowngradeStranded CostsPet / Special ItemMontreal Convention
Lost BaggageDelayed BagsOverbookingVoucher DisputeMissed ConnectionSchedule ChangeSeat Not ProvidedDOT ComplaintTicket ErrorLost BaggageDelayed BagsOverbookingVoucher DisputeMissed ConnectionSchedule ChangeSeat Not ProvidedDOT ComplaintTicket Error

Don't see your issue? You're still covered — tell Eleanor what happened and we'll take it from there.

When the airline runs out the clock

They stalled.
You don't have to.

Hold music, denied claims, vouchers you never wanted — airlines bank on you giving up. A small-claims filing changes the conversation. It's your money, and you're not powerless. Squabble turns it into a court-ready demand, backed by the filing set, without hiring a lawyer.

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How it works

From dispute to done — in three steps.

No forms to decipher, no lawyer to retain. Tell Eleanor what happened and Squabble takes it from there.

1

Tell Eleanor what happened

Answer a few plain-English questions about your flight — what it cost you, and what the airline did.

2

We prepare your documents

Squabble generates a custom demand letter and, if you choose, the court-ready paperwork built for your jurisdiction.

3

Send, file, or settle

Put the airline on notice, file with the court, or move toward settlement — with support at every step.

Recommended for airline disputes

Know your case before you spend a dollar in court.

Airline cases turn on the details — your itinerary and receipts, the baggage claim file, the cancellation notice, and the rule that applies (DOT or the Montreal Convention). The Case Brief (Custom) is a case-education and organization product that helps you understand your dispute and prepare your materials, drawn from your complete intake.

  • Attorney/Professor drafted*
  • Know your case before you settle or appear
  • Generated from your complete intake

* Ordering a Case Brief does not form an attorney-client relationship. It does NOT provide: (i) legal advice and (ii) any opinion on the merits of a case.

Case Brief

$98

Available on its own or with any path.

Pairs with your free demand letter.
Your free first step

Every airline dispute starts with a free demand letter.

Tell Eleanor what happened and get a custom demand letter generated from your intake — no account, no payment. If you want to go further, you choose your path after you see your case: court-ready pressure, full filing, or dedicated support.

Start with Eleanor

Paid paths: Credible Threat $128 · File Now $238 · Dedicated Case Agent $398. Compare paths →

Free to start · ~6 minutes · Attorney-founded · No legal jargon

Build a strong case

What backs up an airline claim.

The more you document, the clearer your case. Gather these while it's fresh — and tell Eleanor what happened.

Itinerary & booking confirmation
Flight numbers, dates, fare paid, and your confirmation code
Receipts & proof of payment
The ticket, fees, and any charges in dispute
Baggage claim file
Your property irregularity report (PIR), bag tags, and receipts for what was inside
The cancellation or denial notice
The airline's notice of the cancellation, delay, or denied boarding
Emails & messages
Your claim, their responses, and any vouchers or denials
Out-of-pocket costs
Hotel, meals, transport, or a replacement flight you had to pay for
DOT complaint
A copy of any complaint you filed with the Department of Transportation
Dates & a timeline
When you flew, when it went wrong, and every step since
Resources

Know your rights against an airline.

Plain-English guidance for a dispute with an airline — what to do, what to gather, and where to turn.

How small claims works

What small claims court is, how a dispute flows from filing to hearing, and what to expect.

Read the guide

Find your court & limits

Small-claims dollar limits and the right court vary by state. Squabble identifies your jurisdiction and venue automatically.

Check your state

DOT passenger rights

File a U.S. Department of Transportation complaint and learn what the airline's contract of carriage owes you.

Know your rights

Montreal Convention

For international trips, this treaty governs baggage and delay claims — with a two-year deadline to sue.

Know the rules

Deadlines & statute of limitations

How long you have to file varies by state and by route (Montreal Convention claims: two years). Don't wait.

Understand deadlines

Document your dispute

A simple checklist of the records that make an airline claim strong — and when to gather them.

Get the checklist

Squabble is attorney-founded and attorney-supervised. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation; using Squabble does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, filing deadlines, and small-claims limits vary by state — verify the rules for your jurisdiction. This page is general information only.

Questions & answers

Airline dispute FAQ.

Can I sue an airline in small claims court?
Yes, for most money disputes under your state's limit — an unpaid refund, lost or damaged baggage, denied boarding, or out-of-pocket costs from a mishandled cancellation. You don't need a lawyer. A serious in-flight injury is a personal-injury matter that usually exceeds small-claims limits and needs an attorney. Squabble prepares the court-ready documents and identifies the right court for you.
How much can I sue an airline for?
Each state sets its own small claims limit — commonly between $2,500 and $25,000. For lost or damaged baggage on an international trip, the Montreal Convention caps liability at roughly $1,800; domestic baggage limits come from the airline's contract of carriage and DOT rules. Squabble identifies the limit for your jurisdiction during intake.
Do airlines have to compensate me for a delay or cancellation?
In the U.S., airlines generally must refund you for a canceled flight you don't take, and must compensate you when you're involuntarily bumped from an overbooked flight — but they are not federally required to pay for most delays. (For flights from or within the EU, Regulation EC 261 may entitle you to more.) Squabble helps you pursue what you're actually owed.
My baggage was lost or destroyed. What can I recover?
You can pursue the value of the bag and its contents, subject to the applicable limit — about $1,800 on international trips under the Montreal Convention, or the airline's contract-of-carriage limit domestically. File a property irregularity report (PIR) right away and keep receipts for what was inside.
Should I file a DOT complaint or send a demand letter first?
Both help. A DOT complaint pressures the airline to respond; a demand letter creates a written record and often prompts payment before court. Neither is always required, but they support your case. Squabble generates a custom demand letter free from your intake.
What evidence do I need to sue an airline?
The strongest cases include your itinerary and confirmation, receipts, the baggage claim file, the cancellation or denial notice, every message with the airline, and your out-of-pocket costs. Document everything while it's fresh.
How long do I have to sue an airline?
It varies. For international baggage, delay, and injury claims under the Montreal Convention, you generally have two years. For domestic claims, your state's statute of limitations applies. Because deadlines run quickly, confirm yours and don't wait.
Do I need a lawyer to take an airline to small claims?
No. Small claims court is built for self-representation, and some states don't allow attorneys at the hearing at all. Squabble prepares your court-ready documents and identifies the right court — no lawyer required to start.
We're the ones they hoped you wouldn't find.

Just tell Eleanor what happened.

A few plain-English questions. Get your free custom demand letter and see the right next step for your airline dispute.

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