Flight Refund: Get your money back for cancelled or delayed flights

Flight Refund Rules Explained

If your flight was cancelled or significantly delayed, you may be entitled to a full ticket refund in addition to compensation.

Airlines often try to offer vouchers, but under EU Regulation 261/2004, you have the right to a cash refund.

When are you entitled to a flight refund?

Ticket Refund

You are entitled to a full refund if:

• Your flight was cancelled and you chose not to take the alternative flight.
• Your flight was delayed by more than 5 hours and you chose not to travel.
• You were denied boarding and chose not to take the re-routing.

The refund must be paid in cash or bank transfer within 7 days.

Vouchers can only be used if you explicitly agree to them.

Flight Compensation

In addition to a refund, you might get up to €600 compensation if:

• The flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
• The delay at arrival was more than 3 hours.
• It was an overbooking situation.
• It was not a 'extraordinary circumstance' (e.g. bad weather).
• The flight departed from an EU airport.
• Or arrived at an EU airport with an EU airline.
• You checked in on time.

Flight Cancellation Refund

Can I get a refund for a cancelled flight?

Yes. If your flight is cancelled, you always have the choice between:

• A full refund of your ticket.
• A re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity.
• A re-routing at a later date of your convenience.

If you choose the refund, you do not take the alternative flight.

You are eligible regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Additionally, you may get compensation if notified late:

• Less than 14 days notice.
• It wasn't extraordinary circumstances.
• The alternative flight arrives much later.

Additional Expenses

If you are stuck at the airport waiting for a rerouting, the airline must provide care (food, drink, hotel).

If you had to pay for these yourself, keep receipts for reimbursement.

How much compensation for cancellation?

Compensation amounts based on distance:

When are you NOT entitled to compensation?

Not all flights qualify for compensation. If you were informed about the cancellation or delay at least 14 days or more before your departure, your flight does not qualify for compensation.

According to EC 261, if the disruption is caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’, the airlines are not obligated to pay. Extraordinary circumstances are events that are beyond the airline’s control. This includes:

• ❌ Bad weather conditions
• ❌ Air traffic control strikes
• ❌ Political instability
• ❌ Security risks

However, you still get the refund of the ticket price even in these cases if you don't fly.

Flight Delay Refund

Can I get a refund for a delayed flight?

Yes, but only for long delays.

If your flight has a delay of 5 hours or more at departure, you can abandon your journey and get a full refund.

If you are delayed less than 5 hours, you cannot get a refund if you simply decide not to go, unless your ticket type allows it.

However, for delays > 3 hours at arrival, you get compensation.

Care and Assistance

For delays > 2 hours, you get food and drink.

Overnight delay = Hotel.

Compensation for delay (>3h)

Amounts based on arrival delay:

Exceptions

No compensation for extraordinary circumstances.

• ❌ Bad weather conditions
• ❌ Air traffic control strikes
• ❌ Political instability
• ❌ Security risks

But care (food/hotel) is always due.

Schedule Changes

If the airline changes your flight time significantly, it may be considered a cancellation.

Free Cancellation?

If the new time doesn't suit you (e.g. > 1h difference), you can often request a refund.

Check the airline's specific policy, but EU rules favor the passenger for significant changes.

Flexible Tickets

If you bought a flexible ticket, you can refund for any reason.

Non-refundable tickets only get refunded if the airline is at fault.

Common Questions

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