Can I get both a refund and compensation?

Yes. If your flight is cancelled at short notice (less than 14 days before departure) and you choose to have your ticket refunded rather than being rebooked, you are often entitled to both a refund of the ticket price and financial compensation.

How long does the airline have to pay the refund?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, adopted by the UK after Brexit, the airline is obliged to pay the refund within 7 days. This applies even if you bought your ticket through a travel agency.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip myself?

Generally speaking, no. EU rules only apply when the airline is responsible for the cancellation or delay. If you cancel yourself, your right to a refund depends entirely on the type of ticket you have purchased (e.g. whether it is a flexible ticket).

Frederik Hedegaard

Chief Marketing Officer

Table of contents

What does this mean for your flight?
What is the difference between compensation and a refund?
Deadline for payment
Has your flight been delayed or cancelled?
Frequently asked questions about refunds

Claim refund or compensation

Cancelled flight Delayed flight Other

Refund

A refund means the full purchase price of your flight ticket is paid back to you. Under European and UK air passenger rights, you are entitled to a refund if your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than five hours and, as a result, you choose to cancel your journey.

Meaning: Refund of the ticket price
Relevant for: Cancellations, delays (+5 hours), overbooking
Regulation: EU Regulation 261/2004

What does this mean for your flight?

If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you the choice between rebooking or a refund. If you choose a refund, you will get your money back for the ticket, but the airline will at the same time disclaim any responsibility for your onward journey. You will therefore have to arrange and pay for alternative transport yourself.

Please note that by choosing a refund, you also lose your right to meals and hotel accommodation (duty of care) from the airline.

What is the difference between compensation and a refund?

A refund means getting your own money back for a service (the flight) that you have not received.
Compensation is a statutory financial payment (up to £520) for the time and inconvenience caused by the disruption.

In many cases of cancellations, you are entitled to both a refund of your ticket and compensation.

Deadline for payment

Under EU rules, the airline is obliged to pay the refund for your flight ticket within 7 days. This applies regardless of whether you bought the ticket directly from the airline or through a travel website.

Has your flight been delayed or cancelled?

Claim compensation here and see if you’re entitled to a refund also.

Claim compensation