A cancelled flight isn't a dead end — it's a fork in the road. By law the airline must either get you on your way again or refund you in full, and look after you while you wait. Here's what you're entitled to and the order to act in.
When a flight is cancelled you get a choice: rebooking or a full refund (even on a non-refundable fare). Plus care: meals and, if needed, a hotel. If the carrier caused the cancellation, cash compensation may also apply. Keep the cancellation confirmation and check your booking in your account.
01 / RightsWhat you're entitled to
A cancellation isn't a delay: the flight wasn't just pushed back, it was pulled. In that case the airline must let you choose between two core options and, as a rule, provide passenger care regardless of the reason. We cover delays in a separate guide — "Your flight is delayed".
- Rebooking — the carrier offers the nearest reasonable alternative to the same destination at no extra cost.
- Full refund — the full ticket price is returned, including non-refundable fares, if you decide not to travel.
- Passenger care — meals and refreshments while you wait, plus a hotel and transfer if an overnight stay is needed.
02 / StepsWhat to do right now
Capture the cancellation
Save the SMS, e-mail or app screenshot that confirms the cancellation and its time. This is your key document for a refund and compensation.
Choose your option
Decide what matters more — the nearest replacement flight or a full refund. Your next steps depend on this.
Get in touch
Open your booking in your account or message @sales_travel_bot — we'll arrange the rebooking or refund and advise you on care.
Keep your care receipts
If the cancellation made you pay for meals or a hotel yourself, keep the receipts — you can claim these costs back.
03 / CompareRebooking or refund: which to pick
04 / CompensationWhen cash compensation applies
On top of a refund and care, separate cash compensation is sometimes due. It depends on the route and the cause: flights departing from or arriving in the EU may fall under regulation EC 261, while domestic and Russia-departing flights follow Russian law. The key condition is that the carrier caused the cancellation, rather than extraordinary circumstances (weather, third-party strikes, official orders). Rules and amounts vary by country, so it's best to assess each case individually.
05 / SupportHow we help with a cancellation
06 / FAQFrequently asked
Will I get my money back on a non-refundable ticket if the flight is cancelled?
Yes. When the airline is the one cancelling, you can reclaim the full price even on a non-refundable fare — this is an involuntary refund, and the fare's restrictions don't apply to it.
Does the airline have to feed and accommodate me while I wait?
As a rule, yes. This is passenger care: meals while you wait, and a hotel plus transfer for a forced overnight stay. If you paid yourself, keep the receipts so you can claim them back.
How is a cancellation different from a delay?
With a cancellation the flight is pulled, and you choose between rebooking and a full refund. With a delay the flight still operates but runs later — the rights and thresholds there are different. See "Your flight is delayed" for the details.
Which document should I keep?
The cancellation confirmation — an SMS, e-mail or app screenshot showing the flight and the time. It's the basis for your refund, your expense reimbursement and, where grounds exist, compensation.