What is the policy if an airline cancels your flight?

Most air carriers try their best to stick to the travel schedule and limit themselves to delaying and canceling reservations. However, there are some circumstances where, despite trying their best, they have to cancel bookings. That is the worst scenario for travelers, and they struggle to deal with the situation. They must not worry as most airlines either inform about the cancelations a few days before departure or provide seats on alternate flights. If that does not go well with the traveler's plan, they can cancel the entire booking and instead claim a refund.

What happens if a booked flight Cancelled?

Whenever flights are canceled within 24 hours of departure, travelers have the right to claim compensation from their respective airlines. They shall fill out the online compensation request form to specify their reasons for making a claim. They can make use of the given steps to claim compensation:

• Customers must first load the official website of the airline from which they have booked tickets.
• Now, they must navigate to the "Manage booking " section.
• To find their bookings, they must insert the traveler's name and booking number.
• As they retrieve the booking, press "claim compensation."
• It is important that they carefully fill out the compensation form.
• A brief description of the claim must be typed in a message box.

Reasons due to which flights can be canceled:

There are several reasons why flights can be canceled by airlines. Some popular concerns that lead to abrupt flight cancellations are as follows:

• Flights are usually canceled due to bad weather. Flight cancellations are common in extreme climatic conditions such as fog and rain.
• There can be chances of aircrew or staff strike that might change travel schedules or flight cancellations.
• Unforeseen conditions such as terrorist attacks, cyclones, and hurricanes also lead to flight cancellations.

What are the rights of passengers when a flight is Cancelled?

Whenever flights are canceled from the airline's end due to any reason under their control, ticket holders have the right to claim compensation for the inconvenience caused. Apart from this, different situations determine traveler's rights. Refer to the following:

• Whenever airlines cancel bookings and inform travelers about the same at least 14 days or 24 hours prior to departure, they make arrangements for travelers on alternate flights. If that is not acceptable by travelers they can request a refund from the airlines.
• Whenever flights are canceled due to reasons that are not under the direct control of the airline, such as climate conditions and natural or manmade calamities at the origin or destination cities, no alternate flights are provided by the airline. Instead, travelers can make a claim.
• If flights are canceled due to which you missed a connecting flight, then you will get compensation along with food/accommodation facilities.

Do airlines pay compensation for canceled flights?

Yes, in most cases, compensation is provided by airlines on flight cancellations. Travelers are not just liable for obtaining an amount for flight fares, but they will also get compensation for baggage fees if paid. Travelers who have reserved non-refundable tickets are also liable to request compensation from the airline. It must be noted carefully that if you accept alternate flights offered by the airline to your destination, then no money will be refunded.

How much time does it take to receive compensation from airlines due to flight cancellation?

The time taken by airlines to compensate for flight cancellations can be different for different air carriers. Also, your mode of payment plays an important role in deciding the approximate time. For instance, you must wait at least 7-10 business days to receive compensation if you paid online. On the other hand, for all other mediums, the time might be 17-30 days.