FlightCompensations
Flight refund rights

Owed a refund? Know exactly what you can claim back.

Under EU261 and UK261, a cancellation or denied boarding gives you the right to a full refund of your unused ticket — in cash, within 7 days. A refund is separate from any compensation. Check your flight and we'll assess both.

Checked by the FlightCompensations editorial team

Last updated 1 July 2026 · Editorial & corrections policy

Direct answer

If your flight was cancelled, you were denied boarding, or you were significantly delayed and chose not to travel, EU261 and UK261 give you the right to a full refund of the parts of the ticket you did not use, paid within 7 days in the original form of payment. You cannot be forced to take a voucher instead of cash. A refund returns your ticket cost; it is separate from compensation, which is an additional fixed payment for the disruption. Whether both are due depends on the reason for the disruption.

Check your flight

Enter your flight number and date. We'll check your eligibility for compensation.

Instant eligibility check. Get a quick answer in seconds using real flight data.
Secure & privateYour data is encrypted and safe.
EU 261/2004We help you claim your legal right.

Don't know the flight number? Enter your route instead

Key takeaways

  • A refund returns the cost of your unused ticket — it is not the same as compensation.
  • For cancellation or denied boarding, the refund covers all unused parts of the ticket, plus used parts that no longer serve a purpose.
  • Refunds are due within 7 days, in the original form of payment.
  • You can accept a voucher if you want to, but you cannot be forced to take one instead of cash.
  • A refund should include taxes, fees and surcharges on the unused flights.
  • If the disruption was within the airline's control, you may keep a compensation claim on top of the refund.

What qualifies — and what usually doesn't

May qualify for compensation

  • Your flight departed the EU/EEA or UK, or arrived there on an EU/EEA or UK airline.
  • The flight was cancelled, you were denied boarding, or a delay of 5+ hours led you to choose not to travel.
  • You had a confirmed booking on the affected flight.
  • You did not use the affected flight (or the remaining journey no longer serves a purpose).

Usually excluded

  • You chose to travel on the flight or an offered replacement rather than claim a refund.
  • The fare was a genuinely non-refundable purchase and no qualifying disruption occurred (a normal 'no-show', not a cancellation).
  • The disruption falls outside EU261/UK261 because there is no qualifying EU/EEA/UK connection.
  • You are seeking a refund of an ancillary that was actually delivered (for example a seat or bag you used).

Rights by jurisdiction

Not sure which rules apply to your flight? We work it out for you.Check my flight

EU Regulation 261/2004 covers flights departing any EU/EEA airport (any airline) and flights arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier.

Article 8 gives a right to reimbursement of the full ticket cost for the unused parts (and used parts that became pointless), paid within 7 days, or a return flight to your first departure point where relevant. A voucher is only valid with your agreement — the default is cash.

Reimbursement is separate from Article 7 compensation. Compensation may also be due where the airline was at fault, but not where it proves extraordinary circumstances; the refund right itself does not depend on the reason.

What to do

  1. 1Confirm the reason: cancellation, denied boarding, or a long delay you chose not to fly.
  2. 2Tell the airline, in writing, that you want a cash refund rather than a voucher or rebooking.
  3. 3Ask that the refund include taxes, fees and surcharges on the unused flights.
  4. 4Keep your booking confirmation, the disruption notice, and any voucher or refund offer.
  5. 5Note the date of your request — the 7-day clock runs from it — then check your eligibility.

Documents to keep

Booking confirmation / e-ticket showing the fare, taxes and fees
The cancellation, denied-boarding or delay notice from the airline
Your written refund request and any airline reply
Any voucher or partial refund you were offered or given
It helps to keep four things apart. A refund (reimbursement) returns the cost of the ticket you did not use, and is due within 7 days in your original payment method. Rerouting is the alternative to a refund — a replacement flight to your destination instead of your money back; you choose one or the other. Compensation is a separate fixed payment (€250–€600) for the disruption itself, payable on top of a refund or rerouting when the airline was at fault. A voucher is not a substitute for any of these unless you agree to it. Choosing a refund does not automatically forfeit a compensation claim, and a voucher accepted under pressure does not extinguish your cash rights.

How to claim

  1. 1Enter your flight number and date to get a preliminary assessment.
  2. 2Tell us the disruption, whether you were offered a refund, voucher or rebooking, and add your documents.
  3. 3We prepare and submit the refund and any compensation claim to the airline and follow up.
  4. 4If money is recovered, you receive the airline's payment and pay our fixed €39 fee on any compensation.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a refund and compensation?

A refund returns the cost of your unused ticket. Compensation is a separate fixed payment (€250–€600) for the disruption. After a cancellation you can be entitled to both — the refund regardless of the reason, and compensation only where the airline was at fault.

The airline only offered a voucher — can I insist on cash?

Yes. Under EU261 and UK261 the refund default is cash in your original payment method. A voucher is only valid if you choose to accept it; you cannot be required to take one.

How long should a refund take?

The regulations set 7 days from your request. In practice airlines often take longer, so keep a record of when you asked and be ready to chase.

Do I get taxes and fees back too?

A refund of unused flights should include the taxes, fees and surcharges attached to them, since those charges relate to travel that did not happen.

I already accepted a voucher — is my claim gone?

Not necessarily. If you were pressured into a voucher or not told about your cash rights, you may still be able to pursue a proper refund, and a compensation claim can be separate. It depends on the circumstances.

Check if your flight qualifies

Free in about 15 seconds. You receive the airline's compensation and pay only our fixed €39 fee after success.

Check my flight

Related

CancellationFlight delayDenied boardingEU261UK261