Canceled flight? In the moment, a last-minute disruption to your travel plans might be difficult to navigate. But it doesn’t have to derail your trip when you know what to do. From rebooking and refunds to finding the right airline contact details, these are your next steps.
1. Ask if your airline can rebook you for another flight
If you wish to continue your trip despite the cancellation of a flight, your airline might be able to offer you an alternative. If there are still seats available on your carrier’s next scheduled flight to your destination, they should be able to rebook you at no extra cost. If you need to fly out as soon as possible, feel free to look for seats on another carrier’s flights and ask yours if they can cover the cost. Just remember that federal law doesn’t compel your airline to do so. In some cases, you might also be able to book onto alternative transport, such as a train. You’ll need to discuss this directly with your airline.
2. Apply for a refund for your canceled flight
If your flight is canceled, your airline might be obligated to offer you a refund. Ticket agents and online travel agencies are also required to make “proper” refunds when service cannot be performed as contracted on a flight to, within, or from the U.S. If you believe you’re entitled to a refund from your airline or ticket agent, you should proactively request one in writing. Your carrier or travel agency should issue either a refund or a voucher for future travel. You may also be entitled to a refund for extra purchases, such as baggage fees and seat assignments. If refused, you can file a complaint with the U.S Department of Transportation.
3. Find out if you’re eligible for compensation
U.S. law doesn’t require airlines to compensate passengers for canceled flights. The only exception is when a passenger has been involuntarily denied boarding or “bumped” on an overbooked flight, and even then, there are loopholes for airlines. However, if your canceled flight was scheduled to fly within the EU and the carrier operating this leg is an EU airline, you might be eligible for compensation. Under EU law, if the airline gives less than two weeks’ notice, you might be able to claim compensation as well. This only applies if the cancellation is within the airline’s control – not if it was caused by an extraordinary circumstance such as bad weather or political instability. The amount you can claim will vary by individual circumstances.
4. Contact your airline
While your rights are protected under U.S. law, every airline has its own approach. Visit the airline’s official website and read through the cancellation policy – it’s usually either on the ‘Contact’ or ‘FAQ’ page. Most airlines will include information about rebooking and refunds when they email to tell you about the cancellation, so check your inbox too. You can also find our partners’ contact details via Skyscanner.
