How to Get a Refund for a Cancelled Flight (2026)
Quick answer
If the airline cancels your flight, you have the right to choose between a full refund of the unused ticket or a rerouting to your destination. The choice is yours, not the airline's, and under EU and UK rules a cash refund should normally arrive within seven days. A refund is separate from any compensation you may also be owed. Keep every document, claim in writing, and don't accept a voucher unless you actually want one.
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Refund or rerouting: your choice
When an airline cancels, passenger-protection rules in the EU and UK give you two core options, and you decide which you want:
- A full refund of the parts of the ticket you didn't use — and, if a connection becomes pointless, the flights you already took too.
- Rerouting to your final destination, either at the earliest opportunity or on a later date that suits you, at no extra cost.
An airline shouldn't push you into a voucher. You can accept one if it's a good deal, but you're entitled to your money back if you'd rather have it.
Refund vs compensation — they're different
People often blur these together, but they're separate entitlements and you can be owed both.
| Refund | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Return of the ticket price you didn't fly | A fixed payment for the disruption |
| When it applies | Whenever a flight is cancelled and you don't fly | Only when the cancellation is within the airline's control and notice was short |
| Affected by "extraordinary circumstances"? | No — you still get your refund | Yes — bad weather or strikes outside the airline can remove it |
For a fuller explanation of compensation itself, see our guide on flight delay and cancellation compensation.
Step by step: how to claim your refund
1. Confirm the cancellation in writing
Screenshot the airline's email, app notification or the departure board. You want a dated record that the flight was cancelled and, ideally, how much notice you were given.
2. Decide refund or rerouting before you reply
If you still need to travel, check live availability first so you know what a reroute realistically looks like. If your plans have collapsed, a refund is usually cleaner.
3. Use the airline's official refund form
Submit through the carrier's own cancellation or refund page, not a phone queue, so there's a paper trail. Include your booking reference, the flight number and the date.
4. Keep receipts for extra costs
If the cancellation forced unavoidable spending — meals during a long wait, a night's hotel, transport — keep the receipts. Care and assistance obligations are separate from the ticket refund.
5. Follow up if it's late
If the refund misses the seven-day guideline, chase in writing and reference the rule. Persistent, polite, documented follow-up is what gets stalled refunds moving.
Special cases to watch
- Booked through an agent: the refund normally routes back through whoever took your payment, so contact them, not just the airline.
- Separate tickets: if you built a trip from two independent bookings, each airline only owes you for its own cancelled leg — a real risk with self-transfers.
- Non-refundable fares: "non-refundable" refers to voluntary cancellation by you. If the airline cancels, your refund rights still apply regardless of fare type.
- Paid by card: if an airline fails to refund, your card provider's chargeback or protection scheme may be a backstop worth exploring.
Frequently asked questions
Am I entitled to a refund if my flight is cancelled?
Generally yes. You can choose a full refund or a reroute, and the choice is yours. A refund should be money rather than only a voucher unless you agree to one.
How long does a refund take?
Under EU/UK rules, normally within seven days, though disruption can slow airlines down. Keep records and chase in writing if it's late.
Is a refund the same as compensation?
No. A refund returns your ticket price; compensation is a separate fixed payment that may apply on top in some cancellations. You can be due both.
What if I booked through a travel agent?
The refund usually has to be processed through whoever took your payment. Contact them with your booking reference and follow up in writing.
The bottom line
A cancelled flight doesn't mean lost money. Decide whether you want a refund or a reroute, claim through official channels in writing, keep every document, and remember that a refund and compensation are separate things you may both be owed. If you need a new flight fast, search live fares on ScanFlyGo, compare alternative routes, and track your replacement flight on the day.
Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This article is general information, not legal advice; entitlements depend on your route and the current regulations.