What to Do if Your Flight is Canceled

In fact, this happens quite often. Usually due to bad weather or technical issues. However, they can be canceled several weeks or even months before departure. Let's look at each specific example.

Flight Canceled Before Departure

If you find yourself in such a situation, go to the check-in desk or ticket office and speak to an airline employee. They usually provide scenarios for further action. If you are not offered an alternative flight, feel free to get a refund for your airline ticket through the ticket aggregator or the airline's website where you purchased it.

Flight Cancellation Several Days, Weeks, etc. Before Departure

In such a situation, you need to immediately contact the company from which you purchased the airline ticket. This could be either the airline or an agent. Most airlines do not process refunds through their websites — you will have to contact an agent.

We immediately draw your attention to an important aspect: the refund process can be lengthy. Airlines take a very long time to confirm involuntary refunds. As a rule, money is refunded within three months. Sometimes the period extends up to six months.

What to Expect When a Flight is Canceled Due to Airline Fault

According to the rules, the airline offers two options to choose from.

Alternative Flight

The airline provides other carrier routes. For example, a flight with a layover, a different time, or day of departure. The airline relies on the number of available seats on the plane. 

Important: you cannot change the destination. If the flight Moscow — Istanbul is canceled, it cannot be changed to a Moscow — Antalya flight. 

If the alternative flight departs several hours after the original, the time difference is considered a delay. You are entitled to the same conditions as passengers who experienced a delay. 

Usually, an alternative flight is offered immediately. We advise you to think quickly — a similar route will be offered to other passengers, and you might not get a seat. 

Full Refund of Air Ticket Cost or Involuntary Refund

There are important nuances here. Suppose you are flying with a layover, for example, Moscow  — Yerevan  — Tbilisi,  — in this case, you will receive a refund for the entire route. Unfortunately, this will not apply if you missed a connecting flight. When you purchase separate tickets Moscow — Yerevan and Yerevan — Tbilisi, expect that you will only get a refund for the canceled flight. The second ticket will need to be returned according to the fare rules. 

The same rules apply to round trip tickets. A refund will be issued for both flights. If you bought two separate tickets, the ticket for the valid flight will also need to be returned according to the fare rules. 

If the flight is canceled halfway, you can claim a refund for the part of the route you have already flown. For example, you are flying the route Moscow — Yerevan — Tbilisi, and upon arrival in Yerevan, the flight to Tbilisi is canceled. If no alternative is provided (this happens very rarely), the carrier is obliged to provide you with a ticket to Moscow and compensation for the Yerevan — Tbilisi ticket. In addition, you will need to provide proof that due to the cancellation, the trip is no longer relevant. 

Within what period will the airline refund the money 

Refund periods vary among airlines, but typically refunds are processed within 30 days. Unfortunately, it is not possible to influence the refund period.

Is Compensation Provided to Passengers Due to Flight Cancellation

Yes, in some cases. 

EU airlines have established the following compensation rules: 

– 250–600 euros if the flight is canceled and you agree to an alternative route, but arrive at your destination three or more hours late;

– 125–600 euros if the flight is canceled and replaced by another less than 14 days before departure;

– 250–600 euros for denied boarding due to overbooking. 

Russian airlines have set the following quota: 25 rubles for each hour of delay. The total amount should not exceed half the ticket price. You can also fly on another route offered by the airline without additional costs, or cancel the flight and get a refund for the unused part of the ticket. For cancellation and overbooking — only five hours after the flight delay. When transferring to a connecting flight, if your journey has lost its purpose, you have the right to receive money for all parts of the ticket and return to the original point of departure. 

These rules apply to all flight cancellation incidents in the Russian Federation and on international flights of Russian airlines. 

In the USA, compensation is due for cancellation if you are not provided with an alternative route. Its amount usually varies depending on the type of flights — domestic or international. For example, for a delay of two to four hours on a domestic flight, you are entitled to 400% of the one-way ticket price, but not more than $1,350, and on an international flight — 200% of the one-way ticket price, but not more than $675.

What to Do if a Charter Flight is Canceled

For a charter flight the tour operator is responsible, not the airline. Therefore, all cancellation conditions and possible compensations must be reflected in the contract between you and the travel agency. We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of charter flights here.