Flight cancellation refund or rerouting
A cancelled flight can leave you choosing between a refund and another route. Keep the options separate from any compensation question.
If EU air passenger-rights rules cover the flight, a cancellation normally requires the airline to offer a choice between reimbursement and rerouting. That choice is separate from compensation. Start by deciding whether you still need to make the trip.
Choose the outcome you need
| Your priority | Ask the airline about |
|---|---|
| The trip no longer has a purpose | Reimbursement and, where relevant, a return to the first departure point |
| You still need to arrive soon | Rerouting at the earliest opportunity under comparable conditions |
| You can travel later | Rerouting on a later date, subject to available seats |
The official guidance says the choice is made once. Do not accept a refund automatically if you still need rerouting, and do not buy an expensive replacement before giving the airline a reasonable chance to offer the required option.
Record the full replacement cost
If you compare the airline's reroute with a journey you arrange yourself, use Trip Cost Check. Include the replacement ticket, airport transfer, baggage, food and hotel impact. Keep the original booking, cancellation notice, chat transcripts and receipts.
Assistance and compensation depend on facts that a price comparison cannot settle. The timing of the notice, route, operating carrier, arrival delay and disruption reason can all matter. Extraordinary circumstances may affect compensation without removing every refund, rerouting or care obligation.
Who this applies to
EU air rules cover many flights departing from the EU and some flights arriving in the EU on an EU carrier. The linked official page explains the exact scope and exceptions. A package holiday, travel insurance policy or card benefit may provide another route, but those contracts should not be confused with the airline's duties.
Use the Passenger Rights Checker for a cautious first check. It provides information and evidence steps, not a legal eligibility decision.
Official sources
- Air passenger rights, Your Europe, European Union. EU flight-cancellation scope, refund, rerouting and assistance choices. Verified on 28 Aug 2026. Next review 28 Nov 2026.
Rules and prices can change. Report a correction if a linked source no longer supports the page.