Your flight is delayed or canceled

Passenger rights vary by country, region and airline, and by the cause of the problem. This is general guidance; your airline and the official rules for your route have the final word.

A delay or cancellation is stressful, but acting calmly and quickly helps. Because your booking is with the airline or travel site, they are the ones who can rebook, refund or help you. Here is a practical plan.

At the airport

1. Check official information. Look at airport screens, the airline’s app and any messages or emails from the airline.
2. Ask about options. Go to the airline’s desk or use its app to ask about the next available flight. Apps are often faster than queues.
3. Ask about care. Depending on the length of the delay and the rules that apply, airlines may provide meals, refreshments or a hotel.
4. Keep records. Keep boarding passes, receipts and screenshots of messages. Note times.

Before you leave for the airport

• Check the flight status on the airline’s website or app.
• Make sure your contact details on the booking are up to date, so you get messages about changes.

Who to contact

• Airline: for rebooking and help at the airport. It operates the flight.
• Travel site: if you booked through one, for refunds and changes to the booking itself.

Cheaplyfly doesn’t hold bookings and can’t rebook or refund flights.

Your rights

In some regions, the law gives passengers rights to care, rebooking, refunds or compensation when flights are delayed or canceled. The rules depend on where you fly from, the airline, the cause and the length of the delay. Some situations, such as extreme weather, may not qualify for compensation.

Our guide to your rights when a flight is delayed or canceled explains the main rules by region.

Missed connections

On a single booking, the airline is usually responsible for getting you to your final destination if a delay makes you miss a connection. On separate tickets, it may not be. Read what to do after a missed connection.

Refunds

If you decide not to travel after a cancellation, you may be able to ask for a refund instead of a new flight. See flight refunds and the 24-hour rule.

If this, then that

• If you are offered a voucher, check whether you are entitled to a cash refund instead before accepting.
• If the airline and the travel site each send you to the other, ask in writing who holds your ticket, and keep the replies.
• If your bags were checked, ask what happens to them if you are rebooked.
• If you have travel insurance, tell your insurer and keep all receipts.

Still stuck? For questions about your booking, contact the airline or travel site you booked with. For questions about Cheaplyfly, contact us.