Your refund and replacement-flight choices
For a covered cancellation, the airline must offer a refund for unused travel or rerouting under comparable conditions. You can choose the earliest opportunity or a later convenient date, subject to seats being available. If a partly completed journey no longer serves its purpose, check whether reimbursement and a return to the original departure point apply. The CAA cancellation guidance explains the options.
A refund is due within seven days when that is the applicable choice. A voucher requires your agreement. If you still need to reach the destination, understand what accepting a refund means before buying a new ticket yourself.
Ask about meals, communication and necessary overnight accommodation while waiting for the earliest replacement. Keep itemised receipts if reasonable care is not supplied. Choosing a refund or a later convenient travel date can end further care obligations. Read the care and expenses guide.
When cancelled-flight compensation is available
Notice alone does not establish entitlement. For a UK261-covered flight cancelled with less than 14 days of notice, check the offered replacement departure and arrival times against your original itinerary. The relevant exceptions differ for 7 to under 14 days and under 7 days. See the cancellation notice table for the exact limits.
Outside a notice-and-replacement exception, the cause still matters. The airline may have a defence if it proves extraordinary circumstances and that it took reasonable measures. A qualifying replacement can also reduce fixed compensation by 50%. Use the flight cancellation compensation calculator to assess these facts together; do not assume every cancellation pays the full distance band.
The earliest message telling you the flight was cancelled is important evidence. Save it with the replacement offer, even if you declined that offer or chose a refund. A late reply to an airline message does not establish when the cancellation was first notified.
Cancellations announced at least 14 days ahead
At least 14 days of notice normally removes fixed cancellation compensation. Refund and rerouting rights remain separate on a covered flight. A schedule change can raise different questions: retain both itineraries and check whether the original service was actually cancelled.
Severe weather or another extraordinary event may prevent a fixed cash award, but it does not automatically remove refund, rerouting and care rights. Ask for the specific cause and supporting evidence if the explanation is unclear. Read what counts as extraordinary circumstances.
Package holidays, separate tickets and airline failure
A package booking can give you rights against the organiser as well as a separate UK261 claim against the operating airline. Keep both complaint references and explain which remedy you are asking for. Check your package and ATOL documents before assuming insolvency protection applies.
A cancelled outbound flight does not automatically refund a return bought on a separate booking. Show the booking confirmations when asking the airline or organiser what is covered; a shared brand or payment date does not make separate tickets one protected itinerary.
If the airline or organiser fails financially, check the applicable protection certificate and ask your card provider about any qualifying Section 75 or chargeback route. Payment method, purchase value and contractual arrangements can affect these remedies.
Prepare a direct airline cancellation claim
Start with the free calculator, then prepare an editable claim letter. Record the original flight, notification date, replacement offered, cause given and any care expenses. State which facts are missing instead of inventing an amount.
Use the airline claim guides to find the appropriate channel. Keep a dated copy of your submission. If the complaint is rejected or unresolved, follow the appeal guide and check the current ADR membership and fee terms.