What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your flight is cancelled? What happens if your flight is cancelled?

Flight disruptions are a common occurrence, with delays and cancellations happening for various reasons such as aircraft technical issues, severe weather conditions, and employee strikes. Unfortunately, may encounter them at some point, even if you don’t travel frequently. So, what can you do if your flight gets cancelled? Is there any possibility of receiving compensation?

Let’s explore these questions further.

1. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled More Than 2 Weeks Before the Departure Date?

What to do if your flight is cancelled? The laws can be confusing.

First things first – how many days before departure was your flight cancelled?

If your flight is canceled more than 2 weeks before your trip, you’ll have two choices: you can request a new flight to your destination at no additional cost, or you can opt for a full refund, which will be transferred to your bank account. You can get refunded regardless of the reasons why your flight was cancelled – be it bad weather or something due to the airline’s fault.

Unfortunately, you won’t be eligible for flight cancellation compensation if an airline cancels your flight well in advance (2 weeks or more).

Step 1: Look for an E-mail From the Airline (Notifying About Flight Cancellation)

In the event of a flight cancellation, you will receive an email notification from the airline.

This email will provide you with detailed information regarding the available options. If you cannot locate the email in your Inbox, please check your Spam folder. It is crucial to carefully read the email to understand what to do if your flight is cancelled.

Step 2: Choose a New Flight or Ask For Refund

If the airline cancels your flight two or more weeks before the departure date, there are 2 options available to you.

You can chose one of the following options:

• A new flight OR
• A full refund.

You can’t get both.

You must reply ASAP, so the airline can act accordingly.

You have received an e-mail informing you about the cancellation. The e-mail contains details about alternative flight options. Select the option that best suits your needs and inform the airline either by email or by calling the provided number.

If you no longer wish to travel, you can opt for a refund. The refund will be processed within 7 days and transferred to your bank account. You are under no obligation to accept any flight vouchers if you do not wish to. According to the UK law, you are entitled to receive a full refund to your bank account.

Read more:

• How to Get a Refund From British Airways?
• How to Get a Refund From easyJet?
• How To Get a Refund From Wizz Air UK?
• How to Get a Refund From Jet2?
• How to Get a Refund From Loganair?
• How to Get a Refund From BA EuroFlyer?
• How to Get a Refund From Eastern Airways?

Step 3: Review Your Itinerary. Do You Have a Connecting Flight?

What if you have a connecting flight?

If you have an airline-protected connecting flight (all flight legs are under one booking reference number), rest assured that you’re protected. In the event you miss your connection, the airline will arrange another flight for you at no additional cost. If your flight is cancelled more than two weeks before departure date, you can choose a new flight + a new connecting flight free of charge.

However, if you have a self-transfer flight that you booked separately, and you miss your next flight due to the cancellation of the first flight, unfortunately, you will need to handle the situation on your own. This is typically the case for most connecting flights with low-cost airlines and self-transfer flights. It’s important to note that in such situations, you won’t be provided with a new flight free of charge.

Step 4: Keep In Mind That You Can’t Get Compensation

Are you entitled to flight cancellation compensation?

Unfortunately, no, you aren’t. If you were notified of the cancellation more than 14 days in advance, you won’t get flight cancellation compensation from the airline.

Read more:

• You Are Flying With a UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
• You Are Flying With a EU Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
• You Are Flying With a Non-EU, Non-UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You?

2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Less Than 2 Weeks Before the Departure Date?

What to do when your flight is cancelled 2 weeks or less than 2 weeks before the departure date? Do you have the same options as in the previous scenario? Can you get compensation?

Step 1: You’ve Discovered That Your Flight Has Been Canceled

You have discovered that your flight has been canceled.

What to do if your flight is cancelled last-minute?

First things first – what is your current location?

If you are at the airport, await further announcements. If possible, connect to the internet and check your email for any communication from the airline, although immediate notification is unlikely. If no email is received, wait for updates from the airline. They will provide a free alternative flight to your destination, which may be with their own or another airline, or offer a full refund.

If you are still at home when you have learned that your flight is cancelled, contact the airline. Especially if your flight is within 24 hours, and you have not yet received any communication from the airline, but have a tight schedule. Otherwise, be patient and await further explanations from the airline.

What happens if your flight gets canceled due to weather conditions? What if it’s a situation beyond your airline’s control? In such cases, it’s important to remember two things. Firstly, even in these circumstances, you have the right to receive proper assistance – a new flight for free or a full refund. In addition to that, you have a right to care from the airline.

Remember that flight refunds take 7 days, and should be transferred to your bank account.

Step 2: Review Your Itinerary Once More

Will you miss any other travel arrangements due to this cancellation?

This could include flights, trains, buses, or ferries.

If not, proceed to Step 3.

Do you have a connecting flight?

If you have an airline-protected connecting flight (i.e., multiple flight legs booked under one booking reference number), there’s no need to worry. The airline will arrange an alternative flight for you, at no additional cost. If the new flight departs on the next day, you will get a free hotel stay, too.

However, if it’s a self transfer (i.e., separately booked flights), it’s a different situation. In such cases, your rights are limited. You can’t get a new flight if you miss your connection. You will have to book a new flight yourself. Your travel insurance may cover the costs.

This applies even if your next flight is with the same airline. As long as it’s a self transfer, your rights are limited.

The same principle applies to trains, buses, ferries, or any other mode of transportation.

Step 3: Make a Decision

What to do if your flight is cancelled last-minute?

Take a moment to review the options provided by your airline and come to a decision.

Typically, this will involve choosing between accepting a new flight at no additional cost or opting for a full refund. If you decide on a refund and intend to book an alternative flight independently, it’s advisable to do so promptly. Begin by searching for available flights and proceed with booking as soon as possible.

Also, bear in mind that other airlines might be offering better prices than your first airline. So research the market thoroughly and find the best deal for you.

Step 4: If You Find Yourself Waiting for More Than 3 Hours

Regardless of the situation, you often have a right to care.

If you are at the airport and you have to wait more than 3 hours before your next flight (assuming you have chosen an alternative flight offered), the airline is obligated to provide you with a complimentary meal and beverage, as well as two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.

In the event of an overnight wait, the airline must also offer free hotel accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.

How can you ensure you receive these entitlements?

Wait for the announcement from the airline.

Alternatively, if no announcement is made, take the initiative to contact the airline directly.

Step 5: Claim Compensation for a Cancelled Flight

Don’t overlook the possibility of receiving flight cancellation compensation.

Many people are unaware of the appropriate course of action when faced with a flight cancellation, and often settle for whatever is offered. However, it’s important to know that if a flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to receive flight cancellation compensation of up to GBP 520 per passenger.

In addition, the airline is still responsible for ensuring that you reach your destination or providing a full refund. These regulations specifically apply to flights to or from Europe.

If you are flying with a non-EU airline, these rules only apply to flights departing from Europe.

Furthermore, it is not necessary to be a citizen of the EU/UK to qualify.

Let’s delve a little deeper into the specifics.

If you are notified of the cancellation between 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, departing not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your final destination not more than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, departing not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination not more than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Flight cancellations are only eligible for compensation if the reason lies within the airline’s control, meaning it was caused by the airline’s fault.

Thanks to Regulations EC 261 and UK 261 which were created to safeguard the rights of air passengers, you can now easily submit your claim for compensation in case of flight cancellation.

Read more: Your UK Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?

By Europe and EU here on this page we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Featured photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels