Cancelled flight:refund or rerouting
After a cancellation, the airline must offer a choice between reimbursement of the relevant ticket and rerouting to the final destination. This transport remedy is separate from any fixed compensation.
This guide provides general information. Eligibility always depends on the specific facts of the case.
Choose between getting the ticket price back and continuing the journey
A refund suits passengers who abandon the trip. It covers unused parts and, in certain cases, parts already travelled that no longer serve the original travel plan.
Rerouting lets you reach the final destination at the earliest opportunity or on a later date convenient to you, subject to seat availability. Compensation may be added where its conditions are met.
Compensation of up to €600
Where the conditions of European passenger-rights rules are met, the amount mainly depends on the flight distance.
These amounts are not automatic. Notice, rerouting, the cause and the facts of the case must be checked.
What must the airline offer?
Your choice should be clear, free and suited to your travel plan.
Refund within seven days
The relevant ticket cost should be reimbursed under the applicable rules if you abandon the journey.
Rerouting at the earliest opportunity
You may request comparable transport to your final destination.
Travel on a later date
A later date at your convenience may be selected, subject to seat availability.
Separate compensation
Choosing a refund does not automatically remove compensation of €250, €400 or €600 where due.
Do not confuse refund, rerouting and care
Each right answers a different need after cancellation.
Recover the ticket cost
Choose reimbursement if the trip no longer serves its purpose.
Continue the journey
Request rerouting as soon as possible or on a later date.
Receive care
Meals, hotel and transfers may be due while waiting for the replacement.
Claim compensation
Fixed compensation is assessed separately using notice, cause and itinerary.
Refund or rerouting, then check compensation
You normally cannot combine a refund of an unused journey with rerouting for that same journey. Fixed compensation can, however, be added to the chosen remedy where its conditions are satisfied.
Three facts that change the assessment
The transport choice alone does not decide compensation.
Cancellation notice
Notice affects compensation but not the basic choice of a transport remedy.
Replacement timings
Rerouting close to the original schedule can exclude compensation in specified cases.
Extraordinary circumstances
They may remove fixed compensation but generally not the choice of refund, rerouting and care.
Documents to keep
Boarding pass
Keep the pass and booking confirmation.
Notification
Keep the email or text with its date and time.
Original itinerary
Save the scheduled times and final destination.
Proposed solution
Keep proof of the refund or rerouting offered.
Reason given
Save messages and photographs of airport screens.
Expenses
Keep reasonable receipts if care was not provided.
Your request in four steps
Enter the flight
Add the number, date and full itinerary.
Describe the disruption
State the notice, timings and reason communicated.
Attach evidence
Provide messages, booking and relevant receipts.
Check your rights
The case is assessed before any action is taken.
Related pages to read
FAQ about refund or rerouting
Can I demand both a refund and rerouting?
Not for the same unused journey: normally you choose one remedy. Separate compensation may still be payable.
How quickly should the ticket be refunded?
European rules provide for reimbursement within seven days where that option applies and is chosen.
Can I travel on a later date?
Yes, subject to seat availability and the conditions governing rerouting.
Can the airline impose a voucher?
A voucher instead of the prescribed reimbursement generally requires your agreement; keep the offer in writing.
Is a hotel still due with a new flight?
If rerouting requires an overnight wait, accommodation and transfers may be due.
Does a refund cancel compensation?
Not automatically. Fixed compensation must be checked separately against notice, itinerary and cause.
Could your flight qualify for compensation?
Enter your journey for an initial assessment, with no upfront fees.