When an airline cancels your flight, you may decide you no longer want to travel or that the replacement flight on offer no longer fits your travel plans.
In these circumstances, you may have the right to ask for your money back. We explain when you can get a refund for a cancelled flight, what you may be entitled to, and how to request it.
When Can I Get A Refund For A Cancelled Flight?
You are entitled to a refund if your flight is cancelled, and you decide not to accept a replacement flight.
Under EU261 and UK261, you can choose between a refund and being rerouted to your final destination. Your right to a refund applies regardless of the reason for the cancellation, including when circumstances are beyond the airline’s control.
You can also ask for a refund if your flight is delayed by at least 5 hours and you decide you no longer want to travel.
If you still want to travel after a cancellation, you can choose to be rerouted instead. The airline is required to arrange a replacement flight to your final destination at the earliest opportunity, even if it is on a different airline.
It is important to remember that a refund and flight cancellation compensation are two separate rights. However, in some circumstances, you may be entitled to receive a refund for your cancelled flight and also claim compensation if your replacement flight is delayed by more than 3 hours.
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Over £86m Claimed
We've claimed more compensation from the airlines than any other UK firm.
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Industry leading success rates and described by Martin Lewis as “pioneers” in our field.
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When Can I Claim A Refund For A Cancelled Flight Under EU261?
Your right to request a refund from the airline depends on whether your cancelled flight is covered by EU261.
Flights covered by EU261 or UK261, its UK counterpart, include:
If your flight is covered, you can choose a refund if the airline cancels your flight and you decide not to accept a replacement. You can also request a refund if your flight is delayed by at least 5 hours and you decide not to travel.
Your right to a refund under EU261 or UK261 applies to all flights cancelled by the airline. This means you are still entitled to request a refund if the cancellation was caused by an extraordinary circumstance that was outside the airline’s control.
How Long Do Airlines Have To Refund After A Flight Cancellation?
Under EU261 and UK261, the airline is legally required to process your refund within 7 days. The refund should be paid by electronic bank transfer or cheque.
Airlines have sometimes offered vouchers instead of refunds. You are under no legal obligation to accept these. We recommend that you do not accept vouchers, as they can be limited in how and when they can be used and may expire after a certain period of time.
Do I Have To Accept A Replacement Flight Instead Of A Refund?
No, you do not have to accept a replacement flight if your original flight has been cancelled. Under EU261 and UK261, you have the right to choose a refund instead.
If you still want to travel, the airline must provide a replacement flight to your final destination at the earliest opportunity. However, if the replacement flight offered by the airline is not suitable and you decide you no longer want to travel, you can ask for a refund instead.
Once you choose a refund, the airline is no longer responsible for arranging a replacement flight to your destination or providing care and assistance while you wait.
How Much Of My Cancelled Flight Will Be Refunded?
If you choose a refund after your flight has been cancelled, the airline should refund the full cost of the unused flight ticket.
Your refund should include the price you paid for the flight, including the taxes and charges that formed part of your ticket. If you paid the airline for additional services for the cancelled flight, such as a seat reservation or checked baggage, these should also be refunded where you can no longer use them.
If your booking includes more than one flight, the amount you are refunded will depend on which parts of your journey you have already used and whether you still intend to travel.
Can I Get A Refund For My Return Flight If My Outbound Flight Is Cancelled?
If your outbound flight is cancelled, whether you can also receive a refund for your return flight will depend on how the two flights were booked.
If your outbound and return flights are part of the same booking and you decide not to travel, you can request a refund for the unused parts of your booking, including your return flight.
However, if you booked the outbound and return flights separately, the cancellation of your outbound flight does not automatically give you the right to a refund for your return flight. You will need to check the terms of the separate booking to see whether you can cancel it and receive a refund.
If you accept a replacement outbound flight and continue with your trip, your return flight should remain unaffected.
Recent Successful Flight Compensation Claims
Bott and Co help couple receive £350 each in compensation after arriving on holiday to Corfu late.
We secured compensation for family of 3 who missed a day of their holiday due to flight cancellation.
Family receive £350 compensation each after Jet2 flight to Manchester from Antalya was delayed for 22.5 hours.
Family instruct Bott and Co after missing connecting flight to London due to BA departure delay at JFK Airport.
We helped family of 4 flying from Lithuania to London receive £350 each for flight cancellation.
Family of 4 returning from their holiday in Turkey arrive home 2 days late following flight cancellation.
Passengers receive £350 each after their flight to Tunisia was cancelled and rescheduled for 24 hours later.
Family going to Miami with American Airlines were rerouted to New York AND Dallas before arriving in California.
Family of 4's delay at Birmingham Airport led to missed connection in Dubai and new flight given 3 days later.
Can I Claim A Refund If I Miss A Connecting Flight Due To A Cancellation?
If your connecting flights are part of the same booking and a cancellation means you will miss your connecting flight, the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination.
For example, if your first flight is cancelled and you can no longer make your connecting flight, the airline should rearrange your journey and get you to your final destination at the earliest opportunity.
However, if you decide not to continue with your journey, you may instead be able to request a refund for the unused parts of your booking. If you have already travelled part of the journey and continuing no longer serves its original purpose, you may also have the right to a return flight to your original departure airport.
If your connecting flight was booked separately, the airline that cancelled your first flight would not usually be responsible for refunding the separate onward booking. You would need to check the terms of that ticket or speak to the airline operating the connecting flight.
Can I Get A Refund If My Flight Is Cancelled After I’ve Started My Journey?
Yes, in some circumstances you may still be entitled to receive a refund even if you have already completed part of your journey.
If your flight is cancelled part way through your journey, you can choose a refund for the parts of your ticket you have not used instead of continuing to your final destination.
If the cancellation also means that your journey no longer serves its original purpose, you may be entitled to a refund for the parts of the journey you have already completed, as well as a return flight to your original departure airport at the earliest opportunity.
For example, if you were travelling to attend an event but a cancellation part way through the journey meant you could no longer arrive in time, continuing to your destination may no longer serve the purpose for which you originally booked the trip.
Claim By Airline
Can I Get A Refund For A Non-Refundable Ticket If The Airline Cancels My Flight?
Yes. A non-refundable ticket can still be refunded when the airline cancels your flight.
The term ‘non-refundable’ generally applies when you choose to cancel your booking yourself. It does not prevent you from requesting your money back if the airline is responsible for cancelling the flight.
This applies regardless of whether you booked a cheaper non-refundable fare, travelled with a low-cost airline or purchased a more expensive ticket. If the airline cancels a flight covered by EU261 or UK261, you can choose a refund rather than accepting a replacement flight.
Can I Get A Refund If My Flight Was Cancelled And It Was Part Of A Package Holiday?
Yes. If your flight is cancelled and is part of a package holiday and your tour operator cannot provide a suitable replacement flight or alternative holiday, you may be entitled to cancel the holiday and receive a full refund. In this case, the tour operator is responsible for refunding the package, rather than the airline.
Your package holiday provider is responsible for making sure the holiday you booked can still be provided. If the cancelled flight significantly affects your holiday, they should provide suitable alternative arrangements.
If this is not possible, or the changes significantly alter the holiday you originally booked, you may have the right to cancel and receive your money back.
These package holiday rights are separate from your rights under EU261 or UK261.
Can I Get A Refund If I Missed My Flight?
If you miss your flight because of something within your control, you would not normally be entitled to a refund from the airline. This could include arriving at the airport too late, missing check-in or not reaching the boarding gate in time.
Whether you can get any of your money back will depend on the type of ticket you booked and the airline’s terms and conditions. Some flexible or refundable fares may allow you to change your flight or request a refund, although you may have to pay a fee.
Even if your ticket is non-refundable, you may be able to request a refund of certain unused taxes and charges included in the price of your ticket.
Can I Get A Refund If I Cancel My Flight Myself?
If you cancel your flight yourself, you will not normally have the same refund rights as if the airline cancelled the flight.
Whether you can get your money back will depend on the type of ticket you bought and the airline’s cancellation terms. Flexible or refundable tickets may allow you to cancel and receive some or all of the ticket price back, although the airline may charge a cancellation fee.
If you bought a non-refundable ticket, you would not usually be entitled to a refund of the fare. However, you may still be able to request a refund of certain unused taxes and charges.
Your rights under EU261 and UK261 generally do not provide a refund simply because you decide you no longer want to travel or are unable to travel.