Ticket refund: How to claim your flight refund

You can withdraw from a flight if it's delayed by more than five hours, is cancelled, or you're denied boarding – provided you decline a replacement flight in these cases.

Passengers’ rights are set out in the EU Passenger Rights Regulation. The regulation applies to flights departing from an airport in the EU and to flights landing at an EU airport if the operating airline is based in the EU.

When flights are cancelled, passengers can request replacement transportation or a rebooking; otherwise, the airline must reimburse the ticket costs of the cancelled flights. In principle, airlines have 7 days to refund the ticket price, which can be made in cash, by bank transfer, cheque or in the form of a voucher.

Yes. While you might not get the base fare back on non-refundable tickets, you're entitled to reclaim taxes, fees, Air Passenger Duty, and surcharges—often 30-70% of your ticket price. If the airline can resell your seat, you may receive up to 95% back.

If you miss your flight, you can still claim:

– Air Passenger Duty refund

– Airport taxes and fees

– Fuel surcharges

Warning about return flights: If you miss your outbound flight and don't notify the airline, they may automatically cancel your return flight. Always contact the airline if you'll miss a flight to protect your return journey.

Yes. Additional services like seat selection, checked baggage, and onboard meals are part of your ticket price. If your flight is cancelled or you don't use these services, the airline must refund these costs.

In most EU countries you have up to three years to claim a ticket refund. Airlines must refund the ticket price within seven days following flight cancellation or removal. In cases of dispute or delay, Flightright supports you in enforcing your claims promptly and securely documenting all proceedings.

An entitlement is void when extraordinary circumstances have led to the delay or cancellation. A classic example is delayed flight passengers. Since the airline isn't responsible for passengers' lateness, you cannot impose a refund on them for this.

Yes, in the event of cancellation by the airline, you're entitled to a complete refund of the ticket price. This repayment must be made within 7 days so that you receive your money back quickly and without hassle.

If your flight has been cancelled or you've cancelled your flight yourself, you can have your claims checked free of charge by Flightright. The experts will be pleased to support you in successfully enforcing your refund.

In the event of flight cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or strikes, you'll receive the ticket price back, but no additional compensation. The refund obligation remains in place.

No. According to Article 8 of EU Regulation 261/2004, you have the legal right to choose cash. Airlines often push vouchers, but you should insist on a monetary refund—vouchers tie you to the airline and become worthless if they face financial difficulties.

Contact the travel agent or online travel agency that processed your booking—not the airline directly. Be aware that third parties often charge higher administration fees (€50-75) which may reduce your refund significantly.

Legally: 7 days for airline cancellations
Typically: 7-10 business days for card refunds, up to 20 days for cash/cheque
Reality: Many airlines take 4-12 weeks, sometimes longer
With Flightright, we pursue airlines persistently and escalate cases that face unreasonable delays.