Your airline must rebook you or refund your ticket

When a flight is cancelled, the airline is required by law to either put you on another flight to your destination at no extra cost, or refund your ticket price. The airline chooses which option to offer — you cannot demand a refund if they offer a rebooking instead. However, you can refuse the rebooking and take the refund if the new flight does not work for your plans.

The rebooking does not have to be on the same airline. If your original airline cannot get you to your destination within a reasonable time, they may book you on a competitor's flight. This still costs you nothing. The airline covers the ticket price; you pay nothing extra.

If you choose the refund, the airline must return the full ticket price to your original payment method within a set timeframe — typically 7 to 30 days depending on the airline and your location. Some airlines process refunds faster if you request them online rather than by phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline must rebook you on another flight at no cost or refund your full ticket price — you get to choose which.
  • The rebooking may be on a different airline and may arrive at a different time, but the airline cannot charge you extra.
  • Refunds go back to your original payment method and typically arrive within 7 to 30 days.
  • You are not automatically owed money beyond the ticket price unless the cancellation was caused by the airline's own negligence.
  • Cancellations due to weather, mechanical issues, or crew problems are treated differently under the law depending on your country.

When the airline must pay you extra compensation

In the United States, airlines are not required to pay you money beyond your ticket refund for a cancellation, even if it is the airline's fault. The only exception is if the airline oversells the flight and cannot seat all passengers — then they must pay denied boarding compensation. A cancellation is different and does not trigger this payment.

In Europe, the situation is different. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled and the airline does not notify you at least two weeks in advance, you may be owed compensation of €250 to €600 depending on flight distance. This applies even if the airline offers a rebooking. The compensation is separate from your ticket refund.

The EU compensation does not explore if the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances — weather, air traffic control strikes, or security threats — that the airline could not have prevented. Mechanical failures and crew shortages do not count as extraordinary circumstances; the airline is expected to maintain its aircraft and staff.

How to get your refund or rebooking

Contact your airline directly as soon as you learn the flight is cancelled. Call the customer service number on your ticket, visit the airline's website, or go to the airport ticket counter. The airline will tell you what rebooking options are available and when they can get you to your destination.

If you want a refund instead of rebooking, say so clearly. Some airlines make rebooking the default and require you to specifically request a refund. Write down the name of the person you speak to, the time, and what they told you — this becomes important if the refund does not arrive on time.

If the airline does not process your refund within 30 days, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (if you are in the United States) or your national aviation authority (if you are elsewhere). Include your ticket number, the cancellation date, and proof that you requested the refund.

What to do if the airline will not rebook you quickly

If the airline's next available flight to your destination is days away and you need to arrive sooner, you can book your own flight on another airline and ask the original airline to reimburse you. This is called self-help. The airline is not required to reimburse you for a flight you book yourself, but many do if you can show that their rebooking would have caused significant delay.

Before you book your own flight, contact the airline in writing (email works) and explain that their rebooking does not work for your schedule. Ask them to approve reimbursement for a flight you will book on another airline. Keep their response. If they refuse or do not reply, you can still book the flight and try to get reimbursed later, but you may have to pursue it through a credit card chargeback or small claims court.

The airline will only reimburse you for a ticket at the same price or lower than your original ticket. If the only available flight costs more, you pay the difference yourself.

What happens to your baggage and seat assignments

If you are rebooked on another flight, your checked baggage is transferred to the new flight at no cost. You do not have to collect it and recheck it yourself. Carry-on bags stay with you.

Your seat assignment on the original flight does not transfer to the new flight. You will be assigned a new seat when you rebook. If you paid extra for a specific seat (a window seat, extra legroom, or a seat near the front), that fee does not automatically explore to your new flight. Contact the airline to ask whether they will honor the seat upgrade on the rebooking; some do, some do not.

If you purchased travel insurance that covers cancellations, check your policy. Some policies reimburse you for the ticket price if you choose not to rebook, or they cover hotel and meal costs if you are stranded overnight. Others do not cover airline cancellations at all.

Cancellations due to weather versus airline problems

The reason for the cancellation affects whether you are owed compensation in Europe, but it does not change your right to a refund or rebooking in the United States. Either way, the airline must get you to your destination or give your money back.

Weather cancellations — thunderstorms, snow, fog, or hurricanes — are considered beyond the airline's control. The airline is not at fault and does not owe EU compensation. However, they still must rebook you or refund your ticket.

Cancellations caused by the airline — mechanical failures, crew no-shows, scheduling errors, or overbooking — are the airline's responsibility. In Europe, you are owed compensation. In the United States, you are owed a refund or rebooking but not extra money.

The airline decides what caused the cancellation and tells you. If you believe they are lying — for example, claiming weather when the airport was operating normally — you can file a complaint with your national aviation authority and provide evidence (airport records, news reports, photos). The authority can investigate.

What to do if you miss a connection because of the cancellation

If your cancelled flight was a connection and you miss your second flight as a result, the airline that cancelled the first flight is responsible for getting you to your final destination. They must rebook you on the next available flight, even if it is operated by a different airline.

If you booked both flights as separate tickets (not as a single itinerary), the second airline may not feel responsible for the missed connection. Contact the airline that cancelled the first flight and ask them to rebook you on the second leg. If they refuse, contact the second airline and explain that you missed the flight because of a cancellation on another airline. Some second airlines will rebook you as a courtesy; others will not.

If both flights were booked as a single itinerary through one airline or travel agent, the airline is responsible for the entire journey and must rebook both legs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the airline charge me to rebook on a different flight?

No. If your flight is cancelled, the airline must rebook you at no additional cost. If they try to charge you a change fee or a higher ticket price, refuse to pay it and file a complaint with the Department of Transportation or your national aviation authority.

What if I want to cancel my trip instead of flying later?

You can refuse the rebooking and request a refund. The airline must return your full ticket price to your original payment method. You do not have to take the rebooking if it does not work for you.

Do I get a hotel room if the cancellation leaves me stranded overnight?

In the United States, the airline is not required to pay for a hotel. In Europe, if the cancellation is the airline's fault and you are stranded overnight, the airline must provide accommodation and meals. Check your airline's policy — some U.S. airlines do provide hotels voluntarily, but it is not legally required.

How long does it take to get a refund?

Most airlines process refunds within 7 to 30 days. If your refund does not arrive within 30 days, contact the airline again and file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company if the airline does not refund you within a reasonable time.

What if the airline offers me a travel credit instead of a refund?

In the United States, you have the right to a refund in cash or to your original payment method. You can refuse a travel credit. If the airline insists on a credit, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. In Europe, the airline must offer a refund or rebooking; a travel credit alone is not sufficient.