Last-Minute Flight Cancellation: Your Rights

Was your Air France flight cancelled last minute?

Flight cancellations and other flight disruptions can be incredibly frustrating, leaving passengers stranded and their carefully-planned itineraries in disarray. However, you should know that you are protected by laws that regulate such cancellations in Europe. Air France must ensure they follow these laws and take care of those affected when they cancel a flight.

These regulations have been in place for over a decade.

1. Air France Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation

If Air France cancels your flight, they are responsible for taking care of you.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Long wait at the airport: If you experience a lengthy wait at the airport due to the cancellation, Air France is obligated to provide care, which may include a voucher for a free meal, free hotel accommodation, and transportation.
2. Refund or new flight: If you decide not to take the alternative flight offered by Air France, you have the right to a full refund. This can be processed as a direct bank transfer or a refundable Air France voucher.
3. Flight cancellation compensation: If Air France cancels your flight due to their fault up to two weeks before the original departure date, you can claim flight cancellation compensation from Air France.

Missed connecting flight due to cancellation?

Here’s what you’re entitled to:

• Right to care: Since you’re stranded at the airport, you have the right to receive care.
• Booking on another connecting flight: Air France is required to book you on another connecting flight at no additional cost.
• Potential compensation: Depending on the delay in your arrival time compared to the original schedule, you may be eligible for compensation. Refer to our guide on Air France missed connection compensation for more details.

These regulations apply to all Air France flights to and from Europe.

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?

If your flight is cancelled at the last minute, the actions you should take will depend on your current location. Are you already en route to the airport or are you still at home?

2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel

It is advisable to remain in your current location for the time being.

Contact Air France customer service to obtain information on the necessary steps to take. As mentioned earlier, Air France will provide assistance.

You will be rebooked on a new flight, and the representatives will inform you about the available options. However, it is possible that your new flight will be scheduled for the following day.

If the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances, you have the right to choose between a free alternative flight to your destination or a refund, depending on your preference. If the cancellation was due to the airline’s fault, in addition to these options, you may also be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.

2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport

If you are already at the airport and your flight has been cancelled, it is essential not to proceed through airport security. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Seek information from Air France representatives regarding the available alternative flight options. They will issue you a new boarding pass and provide instructions on the next steps. It is important to note that you are entitled to receive care during the waiting period for your new flight.
2. If your replacement flight is scheduled for the following day, Air France must arrange a complimentary hotel stay and provide free meals for you.
3. You will need to complete the check-in process again. If you have checked luggage, you will need to recheck it, and you may also need to go through passport control.

If you have already passed through security, try to return to the public access area of the airport (landside area).

Remember to contact Air France representatives as soon as possible to receive the necessary assistance.

3. Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation

If your flight with Air France is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the departure date, it is considered a last-minute cancellation according to UK/EU regulations. You may be eligible for compensation in such cases.

Here are the rules.

Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Air France, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Air France, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

To be eligible for flight cancellation compensation, the following conditions must be met:

• Flight must be cancelled due to the airline’s fault;
• Flight must be departing from, arriving at, or within Europe
• Cancellation must have occurred no more than two weeks before the scheduled departure date (last-minute cancellation).

Read more: Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation

4. Air France Flight Cancellation Refund

In the unfortunate scenario of an Air France flight cancellation, passengers have the right to choose between a rebooking on the next available flight to the intended destination or a full refund. The method of refund can be either a direct credit to your bank account, or in the form of an Air France voucher, depending on your preference. Your decision may be affected by your individual circumstances and your travel plans.

Air France ensures that your refund will be processed within 7 days.

Well, they have to assure that. That’s the law in Europe.

It’s vital to differentiate between the right to a refund and the right to compensation under UK/EU flight compensation regulations. Therefore, even if you opt for a refund, you may still be entitled to compensation as well, depending on the specifics of the flight cancellation.

Read more: Your Air France Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?

4.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?

The rules differ if you, as the passenger, decide to cancel your flight. Generally speaking, Air France’s refund policy depends on the type of ticket you have purchased.

Fully-flexible tickets are typically refundable, whereas low-cost, non-flexible tickets may not be. It’s always a wise move to study the specific terms related to your ticket or consult Air France’s customer service for more details. If your travel insurance policy includes cancellations, you might be able to request a refund via your insurance provider.

5. How to Claim Air France Flight Compensation / Refund?

To get a refund go to My Bookings section of Air France’s site or mobile app.

Or you can request your refund here.

For more information, visit the website of Air France.

What about compensation? If your Air France flight has been cancelled, you may have the right to receive compensation which ranges from 250 to 600 euros and is determined by the rules outlined in EC Regulation 261. To make a claim, visit the airline’s website and contact their customer service. You are entitled to receive compensation via a direct bank payment instead of travel vouchers.

To make things easier, consider working with a flight compensation company. They will handle the entire process on your behalf, from making the claim to completing all the necessary steps.

Our partners offer such services. Learn more below.

Read more:

• Your Air France Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?
• Your Air France Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?

Have you ever missed a connection? Was it a connecting flight with Air France? Share your experience. Do you have any questions about Air France missed connection compensation policies? Ask in the comments.