Flight cancelled on departure day:compensation and immediate options
Was your flight removed only hours before take-off or after you reached the airport? You should be offered reimbursement or rerouting, receive care while waiting and, depending on the cause and replacement flight, may claim up to €600.
This guide provides general information. Eligibility always depends on the exact facts of the case.
A same-day cancellation can trigger several separate rights
The airline must offer a choice between ticket reimbursement and rerouting to the final destination. If you wait for another flight, meals, communication, hotel and transfers may be due according to the length of the wait.
Because notice is given less than seven days before departure, compensation may be due if the alternative flight falls outside the relevant time limits and the carrier cannot prove unavoidable extraordinary circumstances.
Compensation may reach €600
Where European passenger-rights conditions are met, the amount mainly depends on flight distance.
These amounts are not automatic. Notice, final-arrival delay, rerouting and the cause must be checked.
When is a same-day cancellation compensable?
Four checks determine whether fixed compensation may be payable.
A covered flight
The route falls within European passenger-rights scope based on departure, arrival and operating carrier.
Same-day notice
You were informed only hours before the flight or at the airport.
Insufficient alternative
The replacement leaves too early or reaches the final destination at least two hours late.
No proven extraordinary cause
The airline cannot show an external event that remained unavoidable despite reasonable measures.
What should you request immediately?
These rights are separate, so compensation may be additional to your transport choice.
Ticket reimbursement
If you abandon the journey, request repayment of unused parts and, where relevant, a return to the point of departure.
Rerouting at the earliest opportunity
Request comparable transport to the final destination, including another suitable service where necessary.
Meals and communication
Reasonable care should be provided while you wait for the new departure.
Hotel and transfers
If rerouting leaves the next day, accommodation and transport between airport and hotel may be due.
Refund or replacement flight: choose for your actual travel plans
Once you choose reimbursement, you normally cannot demand rerouting as well. Before accepting a voucher, check its validity, restrictions and whether it replaces a cash refund.
The cause affects compensation, but not necessarily every right
Even where fixed compensation is excluded, transport options and care may remain mandatory.
Airline-internal cause
Crew organisation or routine technical faults are not automatically extraordinary.
External event
Dangerous weather, airspace closure or security risks may exclude compensation when proven.
Reasonable measures
The airline must also show it could not prevent the cancellation or reduce its effects with suitable measures.
Documents and evidence to keep
Booking confirmation
Flight number, date, schedule and original itinerary.
Cancellation message
Email or text showing the exact time of notice.
Rerouting offer
Times, carrier and destination of the alternative journey.
Boarding passes
Documents for the cancelled and replacement flights.
Expense receipts
Reasonable meals, hotel and transport not provided.
Reason stated
Screenshot or written reply explaining the cancellation.
Four steps to prepare your request
Enter the flight
Add the flight number, date and full itinerary.
Describe the disruption
State the actual times and the reason given.
Upload evidence
Provide messages, boarding passes and receipts.
Check eligibility
The facts are assessed before any action is taken.
More pages to understand your rights
Same-day flight cancellation FAQ
Can I receive €600 for a same-day cancellation?
Compensation may be €250, €400 or €600 depending on distance, but the cause and replacement-flight times must be checked.
Can the airline only offer a voucher?
You should not be forced to accept a voucher instead of the applicable cash reimbursement when you give up the journey.
Can I buy my own replacement ticket?
Ask the airline for rerouting first and keep its replies. A reasonable purchase may be considered if no suitable solution is offered.
What if weather caused the cancellation?
Weather may exclude compensation if its effect is proven, but reimbursement, rerouting and care may remain due.
Does the airline have to provide a hotel?
If the replacement departure requires an overnight wait, accommodation and transfers may be due.
Can I claim after accepting another flight?
Yes. Rerouting does not automatically remove compensation; the replacement arrival time remains important.
Could your flight qualify for compensation?
Enter your journey for an initial assessment with no upfront fees.