Airline Cancelled Flight Refund Rights

Complete guide to your right to full refund within 7 days or re-routing, plus compensation up to £520 under UK261/2004 Article 5.

Quick Answer

If an airline cancels your flight, you have two rights: (1) Full refund of ticket price within 7 days, or (2) Re-routing to your destination on the next available flight at no extra cost. If you accept re-routing and arrive more than 3 hours late, you also get compensation: £220-£520 depending on flight distance. If cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, you're entitled to compensation. If more than 14 days, no compensation but still full refund or re-routing. Airlines cannot refuse refunds by offering vouchers - you have the legal right to cash refund.

How to Claim Refund or Compensation

1

Request Refund or Re-routing

Immediately contact the airline and request either: (a) full refund of ticket price to your original payment method, or (b) alternative flight to your destination at no extra cost. Document the cancellation: confirm email, booking reference. Refund must be processed within 7 days. If airline offers voucher instead, demand cash refund - vouchers are not compliant with regulation.

2

Calculate Compensation Eligibility

Check: (1) Notice period (14 days before scheduled departure triggers no compensation; less than 14 days triggers compensation), (2) Reason for cancellation (no compensation for extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or ATC strike - airline must provide specific evidence). If cancelled less than 14 days before flight due to airline fault, you're owed compensation.

3

Claim Compensation If Applicable

If eligible, demand compensation (£220-£520) from airline in writing. If airline refuses without legitimate extraordinary circumstances evidence, escalate to CAA ADR (free) or county court. Include: booking confirmation, cancellation notice, original scheduled arrival, re-routing flight arrival time (if applicable), and calculation of 3+ hour delay if re-routed late.

What the Law Says

UK261/2004 Article 5: Right to Refund or Re-routing
When airline cancels flight, passenger has right to either: (1) Reimbursement of full ticket price within 7 days, or (2) Re-routing to destination on earliest available flight at no extra cost. Airlines cannot force passengers to accept vouchers, compensation vouchers, or store credit - cash refund is mandatory if requested. Refund must be to original payment method or, if agreed, alternative method.
UK261/2004 Article 7: Compensation for Cancellations
Passengers also entitled to compensation (£220-£520 based on distance) if: (1) Cancelled less than 14 days before scheduled departure, AND (2) Airline cannot prove extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, ATC action, security threat). If cancelled 14+ days before, no compensation but full refund/re-routing applies. Compensation is separate from and in addition to refund/re-routing.
UK261/2004 Article 9: Care Obligations During Cancellation
Airline must provide meals, refreshments, accommodation (if necessary), phone calls, emails, and transport to accommodation - all at no cost. These are mandatory separate from refund/compensation. If airline fails to provide care, you can claim costs back from airline (receipts required). Care obligations apply regardless of reason for cancellation.

Common Cancellation Scenarios

Cancellation Due to Mechanical Issue

Airline cancels 5 days before flight due to aircraft mechanical fault. Mechanical issues are NOT extraordinary circumstances. You're entitled to: full refund, compensation (£220-£520), care (meals, accommodation, transport). Demand all three. Airline must comply - maintenance is their responsibility.

Cancellation Due to Severe Weather

Flight cancelled due to storm at origin. Airline claims extraordinary circumstances. If airline provides meteorological evidence (official weather report proving dangerous conditions), they may succeed. However, minor weather does not excuse cancellation. Request evidence from airline; if weak, pursue claim anyway via ADR or court.

Cancellation 20 Days Before Flight

Airline cancels 20 days before scheduled departure (well in advance). No compensation applies (14+ days exemption). But full refund or re-routing still applies. Get refund if you no longer want to travel, or accept alternative flight. No £220-£520 compensation owed.

Airline Offers Voucher Instead of Refund

Airline insists you accept voucher/store credit instead of cash refund. This is unlawful under UK261/2004. Demand cash refund to original payment method. If airline refuses, file CAA ADR complaint or court claim for refund plus interest. Vouchers are not compliant with regulation.

Re-routed Flight Arrives 5 Hours Late

Flight cancelled, airline re-routes you on alternative flight. You arrive 5 hours late. You're entitled to: (1) refund difference if alternative is cheaper, (2) compensation £220-£520 for the 5+ hour delay on re-routing flight. Combine claims: refund + compensation for delay.

Airline Refuses Care Costs

Flight cancelled. You pay for meals, hotel, transport out of pocket (airline didn't offer). Keep all receipts. Claim reimbursement from airline. Under Article 9, airline must reimburse reasonable care costs. No cap on reimbursement if airline failed to provide care. Include claim with refund/compensation demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can airline force me to accept a voucher instead of refund? +
No. You have the statutory right to cash refund within 7 days. Vouchers, credit notes, and store credit do not comply with UK261/2004. If airline insists on voucher, demand cash refund in writing, citing Article 5. If they still refuse, escalate to CAA ADR or court claim for refund plus interest.
Do I lose compensation if I accept re-routing? +
No. You can accept re-routing AND claim compensation if: (1) cancellation was less than 14 days before original flight, (2) re-routed flight arrives 3+ hours late at final destination, and (3) no extraordinary circumstances excuse the original cancellation. Compensation applies to the delay caused by cancellation and re-routing combined.
What is the 14-day rule for compensation? +
If airline cancels 14 or more days before your scheduled departure, no compensation is owed (even if no alternative offered). Example: flight on 1 June, cancelled on 15 May (17 days notice) = no compensation. If cancelled on 18 May (14 days notice) = compensation applies. Refund or re-routing still applies regardless of notice period.
How do I prove airline didn't provide care? +
Keep receipts for all costs: meals, hotel, transport, communication. Take photos of receipts and dates. If airline offered care but you preferred to pay yourself, keep documentation of the offer (email) plus your own receipts. Airline must reimburse reasonable costs. If no offer was made, your receipts are evidence of breach of Article 9.
How long does airline have to process my refund? +
7 days from the cancellation or refund request date. If not received within 7 days, you can claim interest and pursue CAA ADR / court claim for the refund plus interest. Some airlines delay; follow up in writing after 7 days if refund not received.
Do I need solicitor to claim cancellation compensation? +
No. Use CAA ADR first (free, informal). If ADR fails or airline refuses, county court small claims (up to £10,000) does not require solicitor. Claims are straightforward if you have booking confirmation and cancellation notice. Solicitor (£100-£200/hour) is optional but can help if airline disputes heavily.

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