What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?
How to act when your trip is disrupted
Airlines, tour operators and governments are responding in different ways as the conflict and airspace closures force cancellations. Rights and remedies vary by where the flight was booked and the carrier’s policies, but there are consistent steps passengers can take to protect themselves and seek reimbursement or rebooking.
Key actions to take immediately
- Contact the carrier to learn your options for an immediate reroute, refund, or voucher.
- If booked as a package, contact the tour operator; many companies are cancelling affected departures and offering refunds or alternatives.
- Save all documentation and receipts for extra expenses such as hotels, meals, or transport—these may be needed for airline claims or insurance.
What to check about cover and compensation
- Your ticket’s contract and the airline’s customer service announcements—airlines will often post special rules for mass disruptions.
- Travel insurance and credit‑card protections for trip cancellation, interruption and emergency evacuation coverage.
- Government or embassy support channels; some countries are arranging repatriation flights or consolidation points for stranded citizens.
Final note
There’s no single global rule that covers every situation; consumer protections depend on jurisdiction and the nature of the disruption. Start with the airline and your insurer, keep thorough records, and be persistent but patient—large‑scale repatriation and refund operations can take time to process.