What the airline owes you depends on who cancelled and what the ticket terms say

Whether you get money back for a flight depends on three things: who cancelled the flight, what type of ticket you bought, and what country's rules apply. If the airline cancelled, you have a legal right to a refund in most places. If you cancelled, the airline keeps the money unless your ticket explicitly allows changes or refunds. If the flight was delayed rather than cancelled, refund rules are much stricter and vary by location.

The airline's own cancellation policy is printed on your receipt and confirmation email. Read it before you book, because once you buy, that policy is the contract. Some airlines refund cancellations; others offer only a credit toward a future flight. Some let you change your flight free; others charge a fee. The default rule — if the policy says nothing — is that the airline keeps your money if you don't show up.

Key Takeaways

  • If the airline cancelled your flight, you can demand a refund to your original payment method in most countries, though the airline may offer a rebooking first.
  • If you cancelled, the airline keeps your money unless your ticket terms specifically allow refunds or free changes.
  • Delays do not automatically trigger refunds; you must check your ticket terms and local law to know whether you have a claim.
  • The airline's cancellation and refund policy is part of your ticket contract and is binding once you purchase.
  • Refund timelines vary widely — some airlines process in days, others take weeks or months, and some require you to request the refund rather than issuing it automatically.

When the airline cancelled and you have a right to a refund

If the airline cancelled the flight, you can refuse the rebooking offer and demand a refund. In the United States, the Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund the full ticket price to your original payment method within seven business days if you ask. In Europe, the EU261 regulation requires a refund within 14 days. In Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency requires a refund within 30 days. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has similar rules.

The airline will usually offer to rebook you on another flight first, often the next available one. You can accept the rebooking, or you can refuse it and ask for the refund instead. If you accept the rebooking and then change your mind, you can still request a refund, but the airline may argue you accepted their offer. Refuse clearly in writing — email or the airline's website — so there is a record.

If the airline does not refund within the required timeframe, you can file a complaint with the transportation authority in your country. In the US, that is the Department of Transportation; in Europe, your national aviation authority; in Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency. These agencies can fine the airline and order a refund, though the process takes months.

When you cancelled and what you lose

If you cancelled the booking, the airline keeps the money by default. The only exception is if your ticket terms say otherwise. Some airlines sell refundable tickets that let you cancel anytime and get your money back. Some sell changeable tickets that let you move to a different flight free but not get a refund. Most sell non-refundable tickets where cancellation means you lose the fare.

Non-refundable does not mean you lose everything. You usually get a credit — a voucher or account balance — that you can use to book another flight with that airline. The credit often has an expiration date, usually one to three years. If you do not use it by then, the airline keeps the money. Some airlines let you transfer the credit to someone else; most do not.

If you bought a non-refundable ticket and want to cancel, check your airline's website for the refund or credit policy. Some airlines waived the non-refundable rule during the pandemic and have kept it for certain routes or booking types. If the policy is unclear, call the airline's customer service line — the number is on your confirmation email — and ask what you get if you cancel.

Delays, weather, and other reasons the airline might refuse a refund

If your flight was delayed but not cancelled, refund rules are much narrower. In the US, the Department of Transportation does not require a refund for delays, only for cancellations. In Europe, EU261 requires compensation (money, not a refund) for delays of three hours or more, but only if the delay was the airline's fault — not weather, air traffic control, or other circumstances outside the airline's control. Canada and Australia have similar rules: compensation for long delays caused by the airline, but not for weather or other extraordinary events.

If your flight was cancelled because of weather, a mechanical issue that was not the airline's fault, or air traffic control, the airline does not have to refund you in most places. They must rebook you on another flight or offer a credit. You can refuse and demand a refund, but the airline will likely refuse and you will have to pursue it through a complaint process or small claims court.

If the airline caused the delay — overbooking, crew scheduling, maintenance that should have been caught earlier — you may have a claim for compensation or a refund depending on your location. Document the reason for the delay by taking a photo of the gate display, asking a gate agent to write it down, or saving the airline's email explanation. This proof matters if you file a complaint later.

How to request a refund from the airline

Most airlines do not issue refunds automatically, even when they are required to. You have to ask. Log into your account on the airline's website and look for a "Refund" or "Manage Booking" section. Some airlines have a form you fill out; others have a chat or phone option. If the website does not have a refund option, call the customer service number on your confirmation email or the airline's website.

When you request the refund, have your confirmation number and ticket number ready. Explain why you are requesting it — the airline cancelled, you cancelled and your ticket allows refunds, or you are claiming compensation for a delay. If the airline cancelled, state that you are refusing the rebooking and requesting a refund to your original payment method. Be specific about the date and flight number.

Keep a copy of your request — screenshot the form submission, save the email, or note the date and time of the phone call and the agent's name. If the airline does not refund within the required timeframe, you will need this proof to file a complaint with the transportation authority.

Refund timelines and what to do if the airline is slow

Refund timelines vary by airline and by country. In the US, the Department of Transportation requires seven business days. In Europe, it is 14 days. In Canada, it is 30 days. In Australia, it is 10 business days. These are the legal maximums; many airlines refund faster, and some take the full time allowed.

If the airline has not refunded by the deadline, send a follow-up email to customer service with your original request and the date you made it. Reference the legal requirement — "Department of Transportation requires a refund within seven business days" — and ask for a specific date when the refund will be processed. Keep this email as proof of your follow-up.

If the airline still does not refund after the deadline, file a complaint with the transportation authority in your country. In the US, file with the Department of Transportation at dot.gov. In Europe, contact your national aviation authority. In Canada, file with the Canadian Transportation Agency at otc-cta.gc.ca. In Australia, file with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority at casa.gov.au. These agencies investigate and can order the airline to refund plus pay a fine.

Credit cards and payment disputes as a backup

If the airline refuses to refund and the transportation authority is slow, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. Call the number on the back of your card and explain that you requested a refund from the airline and they refused or did not process it. The credit card company will contact the airline and ask for proof that you authorized the charge as a non-refundable purchase.

Credit card disputes take 30 to 60 days. The airline will likely respond with your ticket terms showing the charge was non-refundable. If your ticket was actually refundable or the airline cancelled, tell the credit card company that and provide your proof — the airline's cancellation notice, your refund request email, or the transportation authority's rule. The credit card company will decide whether to refund you based on the evidence.

This route works best when the airline cancelled or your ticket was refundable. It is harder to win if you cancelled a non-refundable ticket, because the ticket terms support the airline's position. But if the airline is ignoring the law — for example, refusing to refund a cancelled flight — the credit card company may side with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to accept the airline's rebooking offer if they cancelled my flight?

No. You can refuse the rebooking and demand a refund instead. Tell the airline in writing — email or their website — that you are refusing the rebooking and requesting a refund to your original payment method. The airline must process it within the legal timeframe for your country.

What if I bought a non-refundable ticket and now I cannot travel?

You lose the fare unless your ticket terms say otherwise. You will usually get a credit toward a future flight instead. Check your ticket confirmation for the refund policy, or call the airline's customer service line to ask what you get if you cancel. Some airlines allow you to transfer the credit to someone else; most do not.

Can I get a refund if my flight was delayed but not cancelled?

Probably not a refund, but you may have a claim for compensation if the delay was the airline's fault and long enough. In Europe, delays of three hours or more may have access to. In the US, Canada, and Australia, compensation rules are narrower. Check your ticket terms and your country's transportation authority website for the specific rules.

How long does it take to get a refund after I request one?

The legal requirement is seven business days in the US, 14 days in Europe, 30 days in Canada, and 10 business days in Australia. Many airlines refund faster, but some take the full time allowed. If the airline has not refunded by the deadline, follow up in writing and file a complaint with your country's transportation authority if they still refuse.

What should I do if the airline refuses to refund a cancelled flight?

File a complaint with your country's transportation authority — the Department of Transportation in the US, your national aviation authority in Europe, the Canadian Transportation Agency in Canada, or the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Australia. You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company. Keep all proof: the cancellation notice, your refund request, and the airline's response.