FlightCancellations.com / Flight delay compensation / Flight cancellation refund
Checked 15 November 2026Ground stop 13 Nov 2026, 4 h 21 min
Make a claim · Methodology and sources · Passenger rules by country
A cancelled flight you didn't take is refunded in full, whatever caused it
Jeremy CabralGrowth advisor Checked
If the airline cancels your flight and you don't take the replacement, it owes you a full cash refund to the card or account you paid with1. The cause makes no difference. Card refunds are due within 7 business days and other payments within 20 days. A domestic delay of 3 hours or more, or 6 international, counts the same.
Key facts, with sources and dates
- Under 14 CFR 260.6 a cancelled flight is refundable whatever the cause, weather and air traffic control included (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- Under 14 CFR 260.2 an airline has 7 business days to refund a card purchase and 20 calendar days for any other payment (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- A voucher offered explicitly in place of a required refund must stay valid for at least 5 years under 14 CFR 260.6(c)(2) (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- The DOT refunds page, last updated on 7 November 2025, says non-refundable tickets are covered when the airline cancels (US DOT, checked 15 November 2026)4.
- Airlines cancelled 9,159 flights by the end of 13 November 2026 after the FAA ground stop (FlightAware via Upgraded Points, checked 15 November 2026)2.
- An airline must acknowledge a written complaint within 30 days and answer it within 60 days under 14 CFR 259.7 (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)5.
If my flight is cancelled, do I get a refund?
Answer five questions. The result uses the US rule; flights outside the US are in the table further down.
Refund request you can copy
Nothing you choose leaves this page.
Cancelled means the flight number you bought never flew
The rule defines a cancelled flight as a flight number, between a city pair, that was in the airline's system when you bought the ticket and did not operate1. A significant change counts the same way.
| Change | Domestic trip | International trip |
|---|---|---|
| Departs earlier | 3 hours or more | 6 hours or more |
| Arrives later | 3 hours or more | 6 hours or more |
| Different departure or arrival airport | Any | Any |
| More connections than you booked | Any | Any |
| Downgrade to a lower class | Any | Any |
| Accessibility features you need missing, or a changed connection airport, for a passenger with a disability | Any | Any |
14 CFR 260.2, read on the eCFR as at 12 November 2026.
Do I have to accept a voucher or travel credit?
No. Taking a voucher or credit ends the cash refund right, and it counts as accepted only if you agree to it1. If the airline offers a voucher in place of a refund, it must be valid for at least 5 years from the date it is issued1.
The refund also becomes due without you asking: when the airline offers nothing, when you turn down what it offers, or when you don't answer and the new flight leaves without you6.
On 13 November Delta's alert offered an eCredit to customers who cancelled7. The refund right sat alongside it for anyone whose flight was cancelled.
Fares, taxes and paid extras all come back
The refund is the full fare and taxes. Unused prepaid extras, such as seats, bag fees and wifi, are refundable under 14 CFR 260.41. The airline cannot keep a processing fee, and the money goes back to your original form of payment unless you agree to something else.
A bag that arrives 12 hours or more late on a domestic trip also earns back its bag fee. The delayed baggage page has the rule.
How long does an airline refund take?
Airlines have 7 business days on a card and 20 days for anything else. The clock starts on the day the refund became due1. Business days are Monday to Friday, leaving out US federal holidays. The checker above works out the date.
- On the day after the deadline, write to the airline with your booking reference, ticket number and the date the refund was due. Keep a copy.
- The airline must acknowledge a written complaint within 30 days and answer it in substance within 60 days (14 CFR 259.7)5.
- File a complaint with the US Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection8.
Booked through a travel agent? The seller that took your money refunds you
The airline owes the refund when it is the merchant of record, the name on your card statement. When a travel agent or booking site took the payment, the agent owes it under 14 CFR 399.80(l), and the airline must confirm you are eligible without delay9.
Points bookings were outside the data we hold. Ask the airline for the points and the taxes back on the same request.
A flight that only changed its number is not being enforced until 7 July 2027
DOT said it will not enforce the refund rule where a flight is renumbered, you are moved to the new number, and it runs with no significant delay or change10. The pause was first published in December 2025 and extended in July 2026. A rule on the definition of a cancelled flight is pending.
If the renumbered flight is delayed by 3 hours or more domestic, or 6 international, the normal refund right applies.
The refund covers the ticket and nothing you spent because of the cancellation
A hotel you paid for, a walk-up fare on another airline, or a missed tour are outside the refund rule. Hotels and meals depend on whether the airline caused the cancellation (does the airline pay for a hotel). Your travel insurance or card may pay after a waiting period (trip delay insurance).
For trips abroad, the Montreal Convention can cover proven losses from delay up to 6,303 SDR11. The compensation page explains when.
Outside the US, the refund rule depends on where you flew from
For any flight touching the United States, the US rule applies on top of these, whichever airline flies it1.
| Country | Rule | When a refund is owed | Paid within | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | US refund rule (49 U.S.C. 42305 and 14 CFR Part 260)12 | Cancelled, or 3 hours domestic and 6 international, if you do not travel. Any cause. | 7 business days by card, 20 calendar days otherwise | Checked at source |
| European Union (also applied by Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, which was not re-checked today) | EU Regulation (EC) No 261/200413 | Cancelled, or a delay of 5 hours or more. Any cause. | 7 days | Checked at source |
| United Kingdom | UK261 (assimilated Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as amended)14 | Cancelled, or a delay of 5 hours or more. Any cause. | 7 days | Checked at source |
| Canada | Air Passenger Protection Regulations (SOR/2019-150)15 | If the airline cannot rebook you within 48 hours of the original time, or the trip no longer serves a purpose. | 30 days | Checked at source |
| Brazil | ANAC Resolution 400 of 13 December 2016, as amended16 | Delay of more than 4 hours, cancellation or interruption. | 7 days from your request | Checked at source |
| Türkiye | SHY-YOLCU (Regulation on the Rights of Passengers Travelling by Air)17 | Cancelled, or a delay of 5 hours or more. | 7 days | Checked at source |
| Israel | Aviation Services Law (Compensation and Assistance for Flight Cancellation or Change of Conditions), 5772-201218 | Cancelled, or a delay of 5 hours or more. | Not recorded | Reported elsewhere |
| India | DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part IV19 | Cancelled: alternate flight or refund, your choice. | Set by a separate requirement that was not read | Checked at source |
| Mexico | Ley de Aviación Civil, article 47 Bis20 | Only when the airline is responsible. | Not found | Checked at source |
| Australia | Australian Consumer Law consumer guarantees; proposed Aviation Consumer Protection Framework21 | Consumer guarantees, which a third-party cause can remove. Otherwise the booking terms. | Not set | Checked at source |
| South Korea | Consumer Dispute Resolution Standards, air transport (international passengers)22 | Unflown sector if no substitute flight is given. | Not stated | Checked at source |
| China (mainland) | Flight Regularity Management Provisions (Ministry of Transport Order No. 56 of 2016)23 | Set by each airline's conditions. | Not set | Checked at source |
| Japan | Japan (no statutory passenger compensation scheme found)24 | Set by each airline's conditions. | Not set | Reported elsewhere |
| Singapore | Singapore (no flight delay compensation scheme)25 | Set by each airline's conditions. | Not set | Checked at source |
| Hong Kong SAR | Hong Kong (no flight delay compensation scheme found)26 | Set by each airline's conditions. | Not set | Reported elsewhere |
| New Zealand | Civil Aviation Act 2023, Part 9 delay provisions (sections 270 to 283)27 | Set by the ticket terms. | Not set | Checked at source |
Each rule read on the law or the regulator's page on 15 November 2026. Saudi Arabia is left out because its rules could not be read.
On 13 November 2026, five US airlines named a refund option in their alerts
American, United, Southwest, JetBlue and Frontier mentioned refunds in their travel alerts. Delta's offered an eCredit. The legal refund right covered every cancelled flight whatever the alert said. Across all airlines tracked, 15 of 62 posted a waiver28.
| Airline | Waiver posted | Refund named | What the alert said |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | Yes | Yes | Waived change fees at 21 airports for travel 13 to 15 November, with a refund option. Rebooked travel ran to 18 November.28 |
| Delta | Yes | Not stated | Systemwide waiver with the fare difference waived in the same cabin. Cancelling gives an eCredit. Urged flexible customers to fly Monday or later.7 |
| United | Yes | Yes | Waived change fees and fare differences for the same cities and offered a full refund to customers who chose to stay home.29 |
| Alaska | Yes | Not stated | Joint policy with Hawaiian. Nearly 600 flights cancelled and more than 52,000 guests affected by Saturday morning.30 |
| Hawaiian | Yes | Not stated | Covered by Alaska's joint policy. Flights between the Hawaiian islands kept running.30 |
| Southwest | Yes | Yes | Free rebooking or standby between the same cities within five days, with refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights.31 |
| JetBlue | Yes | Yes | Cancelled the rest of Friday except flights to Europe, then waived fees and fare differences. Worst hit by share of schedule.32 |
| Frontier | Yes | Yes | Waived change and cancel fees at all airports. Customers still pay any fare difference.33 |
| Avelo | No | Not stated | Posted an advisory that the stop had lifted and delays might continue. No waiver terms.34 |
| Allegiant | No | Not stated | No waiver posted on Friday night. Posted on X that the stop had lifted and pointed customers to flight status.35 |
| Sun Country | None found | Not stated | Reported to have warned customers of possible delays and cancellations. No waiver terms found.36 |
| Breeze | None found | Not stated | No waiver terms found.35 |
| Spirit | None found | Not stated | Ceased operations on 2 May 2026, so it had no flights to disrupt.37 |
| Air Canada | Yes | Not stated | Cancelled all US flights on Friday night, about 250 in total, then allowed free changes where space permitted.38 |
| WestJet | Yes | Not stated | Activated its flexible rescheduling policy with free changes. No dates published.39 |
| Porter | Yes | Yes | Offered free flight changes and refunds for customers who could not take the rescheduled flight.39 |
| Flair | None found | Not stated | No statement found. An early report said no rebooking policy was posted.40 |
Airline alerts and newsroom statements, 13 to 15 November 2026. Full list of 62 airlines on the main page.
Where each airline takes refund requests
Links go to each airline's own page. "Reported elsewhere" rows were read through a search extract because the airline's site refused the request.
| Airline | Country | How to ask | Time limit to ask | Link | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | United States | Online refund request form on aa.com, one request per ticket number (seats and bags carry their own ticket numbers). The newsroom statement says the outage travel alert lets customers change or receive a refund; nothing read says the refund is automatic. | Refund requests must be lodged while the ticket is valid, 1 year from the ticket issue date (search extract of aa.com; not read directly). | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Delta Air Lines | United States | Cancel the trip in My Trips or the app, then submit Delta's online refund request form (delta.com/refund-form, linked from this page). The refund is automatic only when Delta cannot rebook the customer and the customer takes no action within 24 hours. | Refund requests must reach Delta within one year of the ticket's original issue date (Rule 22(C)). No deadline is stated for expense reimbursement requests. Written complaints are acknowledged within 30 days and answered within 60 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Southwest Airlines | United States | Cancel the reservation on Southwest.com or in the app at least 10 minutes before the original departure and choose the refund option; if that was missed, use the online refund request form. Nothing read says the refund is automatic. | Where a refund must be requested, the request must be made no later than one year from the date the ticket was issued (Contract of Carriage section 4.c.(3)). Reimbursement and LUV Voucher requests: no later than one year after the flight. Written complaints are acknowledged within 30 days and answered within 60 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| JetBlue | United States | Online through Manage Trips (https://www.jetblue.com/manage-trips): select the trip and cancel it, which starts the refund. For a flight JetBlue cancelled, the Customer Service Plan says a refund for the whole itinerary is issued automatically if the customer takes no action within 7 days of the cancelled flight. | Refund or rebooking choice: act before the scheduled departure; if nothing is done within 7 days of a cancelled flight the refund is automatic. Hotel or ground transport reimbursement: detailed receipts within 10 days of the expense. Any other claim: written notice with details within 21 days of the event (domestic), and JetBlue asks for 28 days to respond before a third party claims on a passenger's behalf. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Alaska Airlines | United States | Online: open the booking under Trips (https://www.alaskaair.com/trips) and cancel for a refund to the original form of payment, available when the flight was cancelled or its time changed by more than 2 hours and the guest is still booked on the affected flight. The general feedback form (https://www.alaskaair.com/feedback/general-comments) also has Refund as a reason. No statement that refunds are automatic was found. | Refund requests: within 1 year of the ticket's issue date (Rule 17.G; Rule 17.B.a.iv says 12 months). Under the ground stop policy, tickets must be changed or cancelled before the original flight departs. Domestic claims notice in Rule 15.R.b (the baggage rule): written notice and proof of loss within 45 days of the event, legal action within 2 years. No separate deadline for hotel or meal reimbursement requests was found. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Hawaiian Airlines | United States | Same shared process as Alaska: open the booking under Trips on hawaiianairlines.com (https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/trips) and cancel for a refund to the original form of payment when the flight was cancelled or changed by more than 2 hours. The general feedback form (https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/feedback/general-comments) also takes refund requests. No statement that refunds are automatic was found. | Refund requests: within 1 year of the ticket's issue date (Rule 17.G; Rule 17.B.a.iv says 12 months). Under the ground stop policy, tickets must be changed or cancelled before the original flight departs. Domestic claims notice in Rule 15.R.b (the baggage rule): written notice and proof of loss within 45 days of the event, legal action within 2 years. No separate deadline for hotel or meal reimbursement requests was found. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Frontier Airlines | United States | Online self-service through Rebooking/Refund Options (https://travel.flyfrontier.com/login) for a flight cancelled or delayed more than 3 hours (domestic) or 6 hours (international); if that fails, the Apply for a Refund form linked from the refund options page. Frontier says refunds go to the original form of payment on request or automatically after the scheduled departure date, provided the customer did not travel, rebook or take a credit. | No deadline for a cancelled-flight refund request is stated; refunds apply only if the customer did not travel, rebook or accept a credit. Frontier acknowledges written complaints within 30 days and gives a substantive response within 60 days. The contract bars legal action started more than 6 months after the incident (Section 21.J). | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Allegiant Air | United States | No dedicated refund form was found. The Customer Service Plan points refund requests and complaints to the online feedback form, the 24 hour phone line or post. The contract says the refund is automatic when a flight is cancelled and no alternative or voucher is offered, or the passenger rejects or ignores the alternative. | No general deadline for refund requests is stated in the contract. Legal action must start within 1 year of Allegiant's written denial of a claim (Article 80.3). The plan gives no fixed complaint response time. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Avelo Airlines | United States | Avelo says the fastest way to request a refund is to call its Customer Solutions Center on (346) 616-9500; it also takes requests at support@aveloair.com. For a cancellation or a change of more than 3 hours the customer can choose a refund to the original payment, Avelo Cash, or a move within 7 days either side. Nothing on the pages says the refund is automatic. | No deadline for refund requests is stated. Written complaints are acknowledged within 30 days and answered within 60 days. The contract says no legal action may be brought unless started within 6 months of the incident. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Air Canada | Canada | Request through Air Canada's refund services page for tickets bought direct; tickets bought through an agency or another airline are refunded by that seller. Nothing read says the refund is automatic. | Compensation claims must be filed within 1 year of the delay or cancellation (Air Canada notice, search extract). Air Canada responds to each compensation claim within 30 days and to complaints within 45 days (Customer Service Plan). | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| WestJet | Canada | For itineraries with a US flight, WestJet's US plan says guests are entitled to a refund on request when a flight is cancelled or significantly changed, whatever the reason, if they do not accept the alternative. Refunds are requested through Manage Trips or by contacting WestJet; agency bookings go back to the agency. | Claims can be submitted from 72 hours after arrival at the final destination. A search extract of WestJet's Canadian page gives a limit of 1 year from the delay and a response within 30 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Porter Airlines | Canada | From a search extract of Porter's page: direct bookings use Porter's online Refund Request Form and agency bookings go back to the agency. The same extract says a disruption beyond Porter's control earns a full credit valid for one year, while one within its control or required for safety earns a full refund to the original payment. That credit-only line may not match the US refund rule for flights to or from the US; see notes. | From a search extract of Porter's tariff: compensation requests must be filed within 1 year of the delay or cancellation and Porter must answer within 30 days. | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Aeromexico | Mexico | Aeromexico's online refund page takes a ticket number but only accepts unused refundable tickets paid by card in Mexican pesos within 12 months of sale; cash tickets go back to the Aeromexico travel shop where they were bought. No official page was found for other tickets (for example US-dollar purchases), so the letter should go to Aeromexico customer service or the travel agent who issued the ticket. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Volaris | Mexico | The US Customer Service Plan says Volaris makes automatic refunds of the unused fare when it cancels or significantly changes a flight to or from the US, as DOT rules require. For any refund problem it points customers to the airport, the call center or a folio (case) in the Volaris Help Center 'Tu Experiencia'. Bookings made through a travel agency or other third party must be refunded by that company. | No time limit to request a refund or file a complaint was found. Volaris acknowledges written complaints within 30 days and replies within 60 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| LATAM Airlines | Chile | According to search-index extracts of LATAM's US help centre, a passenger on a cancelled or significantly changed flight to or from the US can rebook at no cost, keep an open ticket for up to 12 months, or take a refund of the unused flights with taxes, seats and baggage; if no option is chosen before the rescheduled departure, LATAM refunds automatically, citing the DOT rule. Refunds are requested in My Trips under Ticket refund; travel agency tickets go through the agency, and after the flight date refunds are handled by phone through the Contact Center. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Copa Airlines | Panama | Copa's help centre says tickets on itineraries affected by cancellations or delays of more than 4 hours are refundable, through the online Refund Request form or a Copa sales office; travel agency tickets go back to the agency. The refund goes to the original form of payment and to the person who paid, on proof of purchase. | Refunds can be refused once the ticket's validity has expired; a ticket is valid for one year from the original purchase date. | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Avianca | Colombia | Request through Avianca's online Refunds form (or My Booking, Changes and Refunds); flight cancellation, itinerary changes and missed connections caused by Avianca are listed as airline-related refund reasons. Travel agency tickets must be refunded by the agency, and LifeMiles award tickets through the LifeMiles form, the Contact Center or a sales office. Status can be checked on the Refund Inquiry Form (refunds.avianca.com/en/consult-refund/). | No general refund or compensation deadline found. Delayed baggage: 21 days from the end of the flight. | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| British Airways | United Kingdom | Search-index extracts of BA's 'Delays, cancellations and refunds' page describe refund and rebooking options for disrupted flights through Manage My Booking; bookings made through a travel agent are handled by the agent. The page itself could not be opened. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Virgin Atlantic | United Kingdom | Virgin Atlantic's policies page links 'Claim a refund for flight disruption' to its online refund form. Article 21.3 lets a passenger whose Virgin-operated flight is cancelled or delayed by at least 5 hours choose a refund of the unused portion, and Article 10.2(c) refunds even non-refundable tickets where 14 CFR Part 260 applies. Tickets bought through a travel agent are refunded through the agent. | Refunds may be refused after the ticket's validity period ends (Article 10.3(a)). A disruption claim cannot be brought more than 6 years after the scheduled arrival date (21.3(e)); legal action for delay damages within 2 years (23.7). Complaints are answered within 28 days and at the latest 60 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Aer Lingus | Ireland | Aer Lingus's Requests and Enquiries page sends a disrupted flight the passenger did not travel on to its cash refund form (or the voucher refund form). Submitting the form cancels the booking, and it only works for tickets bought directly from Aer Lingus; travel agent, tour operator or other website bookings go back to that seller. Extras (bags, seats) have a separate form. | No time limit for disruption refunds or expense claims found. EU261 court actions follow the limitation period of the court's country (Article 17.1.7); other damages actions within 2 years (Article 16.2). | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Lufthansa | Germany | Search-index extract of Lufthansa's US refunds page: the passenger is entitled to a refund when Lufthansa cancels or significantly changes the flight, and can request it under 'Flight details' in My bookings, through the Lufthansa Chat Assistant, or with a manual refund form (lufthansa.com/us/en/book-and-manage/cancellation-and-refund/refund/refund-form). The refund goes to the original payment method; travel agency bookings are best refunded through the agency (GCC 10.4). | No time limit for refund or EU261 claims found. Damages actions within 2 years of arrival (Article 14). | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Air France | France | Search-index extracts of Air France's 'Refunds, vouchers, and compensation' page describe a guided flow: pick the reason (including a cancelled flight) and request a refund, voucher or compensation. Travel agency tickets go to the agency first. For a cancelled flight the passenger can rebook at a comparable time or take a refund of unused segments. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| KLM | Netherlands | Search-index extracts of KLM's US pages: cash refunds for cancelled flights go through KLM's online refund system; travel agent bookings cannot use it and go to the agent. For flights to and from the US, KLM says it follows DOT refund rules for cancelled, significantly delayed and changed flights. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Iberia | Spain | Search-index extracts of Iberia's US 'Claims and receipts' page: if a cancelled flight was not replaced by an alternative the passenger accepted, request the refund under the 'Flight cancellations, delays and changes' claim type with the booking code and ticket number; a confirmation email gives a reference number. An FAQ extract says a flight cancelled or delayed more than 5 hours that the passenger does not take can be refunded as an instant voucher or as cash to the original payment method. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Qantas | Australia | Qantas refunds the fare when it cancels without a suitable alternative, delays the flight so the customer has to cancel, makes a significant change and cannot offer an acceptable alternative, or causes a missed Qantas connection. For this outage its travel update allows a full refund on cancellation: direct bookings use Manage booking or call 13 13 13 (Australia) or +61 2 8222 2439 (outside Australia); travel agent bookings go through the agent. Claims can also be lodged on the Qantas claim form. | No time limit for refund or expense claims found. Court action for damages within 2 years of arrival (clause 19.1.7). | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Air New Zealand | New Zealand | Before travel, contact the Air New Zealand Contact Centre; after travel has started, use the online refund request form. Travel agent and third-party bookings go to the agent. Air New Zealand's credit and refund page says US refund laws apply to flights to, from, within and via the US regardless of residence or where the ticket was bought; for other disruptions outside its control (it names air traffic control events) non-refundable fares get a credit. | No time limit found. Written complaints get an interim response within 30 days and a substantive response within 60 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Japan Airlines | Japan | Search-index extracts of JAL's international pages: when a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed the passenger can change to another flight or take a refund, requested through the JAL website, the travel agent that issued the ticket, or the JAL contact centre. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| ANA | Japan | ANA's US Customer Service Plan says refunds due under 14 CFR Part 260 are paid promptly in the original form of payment, and that refunds must be requested through the ANA Customer Service Center in the US (contact details on ANA's US help page). Tickets bought through a travel agent that is the merchant of record go to the agent. | Refunds are made no later than 30 days after the ticket's expiry date (Article 13(E)). Written complaints acknowledged within 30 days, substantive reply within 60 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore | Search-index extracts: Singapore Airlines' Help Centre has a 'Changes and refunds' request for cancellations and disruptions; customers who booked directly use it, while travel agent or partner airline bookings go through those parties. Its conditions of carriage say refunds for US-related passengers follow 14 CFR Part 260 and its Customer Service Plan. | Search extract: complaints acknowledged within 30 days and answered within 60 days. No refund deadline found. | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong | For tickets bought from Cathay Pacific (website, app or Customer Care), cancel and request the refund in Manage Booking, or use the online refund form (cx/en_US/contact-us/online-refund-form.html) or Customer Care; status shows in Manage Booking for 90 days. Cathay says it cannot process refunds for travel agent bookings, which go back to the agent. | Unused tickets are refundable within 2 years of the original issue date. | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Air India | India | Search-index extracts of Air India's pages: tickets bought on its website or app are refunded through the Manage Booking section to the original payment account; tickets from a travel agent or other portal go through that seller. If Air India cancels a flight the passenger may choose a full refund or free rebooking. US customers without an online purchase can call 1-888-634-1407 or use a city ticket office. | Not stated | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
| Emirates | United Arab Emirates | Emirates' Customer Service Plan says customers who bought directly from Emirates can use its online refund request form, and that for flights to or from the US it will tell customers of their right to reject an alternative and take a refund under 14 CFR 260. The US Conditions of Carriage (9.1.4 and 9.2.2(c)) promise an automatic refund for a cancelled or significantly delayed or changed US flight when Part 260 requires it. Third-party, agency, codeshare or interline purchases go to that seller. | No refund deadline found. Written complaints are acknowledged within 30 days and answered within 60 days. | Refund page | Checked at source |
| Qatar Airways | Qatar | Search-index extracts of Qatar Airways' US pages: refunds for cancellations or significant schedule changes on US flights follow DOT rules; direct bookings use Manage booking ('Cancel flight/Refund ticket'), where a voucher is also offered; travel agency bookings go to the agency. | Search extract: complaints acknowledged within 30 days and answered within 60 days. No refund deadline found. | Refund page | Reported elsewhere |
Airline pages read 15 November 2026. Not yet confirmed: United Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Breeze Airways, Viva, Korean Air.
Airline refund pages for American and United
The rules for each airline, with their forms and timing, are on separate pages: American Airlines refund and United refund. If you were offered a credit, the American, United and Southwest credit pages compare each kind with the cash refund. Bumped from an oversold flight? Bumped flight compensation pays cash on top of the refund rules.
Questions people ask
If my flight is cancelled do I get a refund?
Yes, for any flight to, from or within the US, if you did not travel and did not accept rebooking or a credit. The cause does not matter.
If my flight is canceled do I get a refund?
Yes. "Cancelled" and "canceled" are the same rule: a full refund if you did not travel and did not accept rebooking or a credit, on any flight to, from or within the US.
Do I have to accept a voucher?
No. A voucher or credit counts only if you agree to it. Say you want the refund to your original payment method.
How long does an airline refund take?
7 business days for a credit card purchase and 20 calendar days for any other payment, from the day the refund became due.
Is a weather cancellation refundable?
Yes. The US rule has no exception for weather, air traffic control or any other cause.
Can I get a refund on a non-refundable ticket?
Yes, if the airline cancelled it or changed it significantly and you did not fly. Fare rules only decide refunds when you cancel a flight that still runs.
What if I booked through Expedia or another agent?
The seller that took your payment refunds you. That is the agent when it is the merchant of record.
Do I get my bag fee back?
Yes, if the bag was never carried because the flight was cancelled, and also when a checked bag arrives 12 hours or more late on a domestic trip.
How late can a flight be before I can get a refund?
3 hours on a domestic trip and 6 hours on an international one, measured at departure or arrival.
Do I get a refund if I was bumped?
Yes, unused paid extras come back under 14 CFR 250.5(f), and the airline owes cash compensation on top if it bumped you involuntarily. See the bumped flight compensation page.
More on cancellations, delays and claims
Sources
40 sources
Every figure links to its source. "Checked at source" means the law, the regulator's page or the airline's own page was read on or before 15 November 2026. "Reported elsewhere" means it came through another outlet, a search extract of the official page, or a figure worked out from project data. Sources that also feed the main page link to the methodology page.
- eCFR, 14 CFR Part 260 (Refunds), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source
- FlightAware via Upgraded Points Checked at source · methodology ref 7
- FlightAware via CNBC Checked at source · methodology ref 12
- US DOT, Refunds (last updated 7 November 2025) Checked at source
- eCFR, 14 CFR 259.7(c), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source
- Airline refund rule summary, 14 CFR 260.6(a)(2) Checked at source
- Delta advisory Checked at source · methodology ref 52
- US DOT, aviation consumer complaint form (linked from the DOT dashboard) Reported elsewhere
- US refund rule (49 U.S.C. 42305 and 14 CFR Part 260) (United States) Checked at source
- DOT notification of enforcement discretion, Airline Refunds and Other Consumer Protections, 91 FR (7 July 2026), FR Doc 2026-13675 Checked at source
- ICAO Checked at source · methodology ref 406
- US refund rule (49 U.S.C. 42305 and 14 CFR Part 260) (United States) Checked at source · methodology ref 89
- EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (European Union (also applied by Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, which was not re-checked today)) Checked at source · methodology ref 90
- UK261 (assimilated Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as amended) (United Kingdom) Checked at source · methodology ref 91
- Air Passenger Protection Regulations (SOR/2019-150) (Canada) Checked at source · methodology ref 92
- ANAC Resolution 400 of 13 December 2016, as amended (Brazil) Checked at source · methodology ref 95
- SHY-YOLCU (Regulation on the Rights of Passengers Travelling by Air) (Türkiye) Checked at source · methodology ref 104
- Aviation Services Law (Compensation and Assistance for Flight Cancellation or Change of Conditions), 5772-2012 (Israel) Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 105
- DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part IV (India) Checked at source · methodology ref 98
- Ley de Aviación Civil, article 47 Bis (Mexico) Checked at source · methodology ref 94
- Australian Consumer Law consumer guarantees; proposed Aviation Consumer Protection Framework (Australia) Checked at source · methodology ref 96
- Consumer Dispute Resolution Standards, air transport (international passengers) (South Korea) Checked at source · methodology ref 100
- Flight Regularity Management Provisions (Ministry of Transport Order No. 56 of 2016) (China (mainland)) Checked at source · methodology ref 101
- Japan (no statutory passenger compensation scheme found) (Japan) Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 99
- Singapore (no flight delay compensation scheme) (Singapore) Checked at source · methodology ref 102
- Hong Kong (no flight delay compensation scheme found) (Hong Kong SAR) Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 103
- Civil Aviation Act 2023, Part 9 delay provisions (sections 270 to 283) (New Zealand) Checked at source · methodology ref 97
- American Airlines travel alert Checked at source · methodology ref 51
- United newsroom, FOX 9 and Newsweek Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 53
- Alaska Airlines newsroom and Passrider Checked at source · methodology ref 54
- Southwest travel advisory Checked at source · methodology ref 55
- JetBlue travel alerts Checked at source · methodology ref 44
- Frontier alerts Checked at source · methodology ref 56
- Avelo travel advisory Checked at source · methodology ref 57
- Passrider Checked at source · methodology ref 58
- TradersUnion Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 59
- WBTV Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 60
- Air Canada, Canadian Press and Castanet Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 62
- Canadian Press via CP24 Checked at source · methodology ref 63
- Castanet Reported elsewhere · methodology ref 64