Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation

Air France flight cancellation refund.

Air France flight cancellation compensation. What is the difference between compensation and refund? When can you receive both refund and compensation? How much money can you get? These are the main questions we are going to talk about. The reasons behind cancellations are different. All you need to know is, if a flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both – a full refund from Air France and cancellation compensation up to €600.

In case of Air France, it applies to most of its flights to and from the EU, and the UK.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Air France flight is cancelled?

Will you be provided with a new ticket free of charge? Can you get a full refund instead? In which situations are you entitled to flight cancellation compensation?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, 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.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, 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.

Could you be entitled to Air France flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if the following conditions are met:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of Air France;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (up to 14 days before departure);
• Flight must be to/from EU/EEA/UK.

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.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, civil unrest, national strike, terrorism threat or security issues at the airport, you aren’t entitled to receive flight cancellation compensation. These situations are outside of the airline’s control, and the airline is not obliged to pay compensation in this case. This applies to Air France as well. Air France is not responsible for flights that were cancelled or delayed due to extraordinary circumstances. 

At the same time, if it’s a strike of Air France staff – you can get compensation. So, yes, make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling you the truth. 

The airlines often avoid paying compensation even if it’s due. Airlines often give false reasons for delays and cancellations, and wrongly refuse compensation claims. Just to avoid financial losses. When you are claiming compensation on your own, be prepared for this. Ask for proof and be persistent. If this sounds like too much hassle, hand over your case to a flight compensation company. Our partners offer such services. 

Just fill in our claim form, and experts will check it on your behalf.

1.2 Right to Care

Your Air France flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

In this case you have a right to receive care from the airline.

Thanks to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, all passengers in the EU have a right to care. If you have a last-minute cancellation, and you have to wait at the airport for your replacement flight, you have a right to receive care from the airline. As long as the waiting time is at least 3 hours.

Air France must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 Air France Flight Cancellation Refund, Air France Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

If your Air France flight is cancelled, you must be offered a choice between a new flight and a full cancellation refund. If you don’t wish to travel anymore, you can choose the refund. These are the laws in the EU. These laws are not affected by Air France internal policies (Air France refund policy). It applies to most Air France flight cancellations. 

The refund must be paid within 7 days.

You don’t have to agree to an Air France voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you cancel your Air France flight.

2. How to Claim Air France Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Air France flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact Air France directly. Use the website of Air France to contact them. Find the contact form and compose a message requesting flight cancellation compensation. Refer to the EU Regulations. You can also contact Air France via their social media channels. If you are claiming compensation yourself, be prepared that it may take months, and several reminder emails, until you receive your money.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

Submit your claim with the help of a flight compensation company. It’s very easy. You will need to fill in and sign one form. The rest will be done on your behalf. Our partners offer such services. Details below.

Read more: 

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

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

If everything goes well — 2 to 3 months.

2 to 3 months from the moment you file a compensation claim until your Air France flight cancellation compensation is transferred in your bank account. But it’s not always 2-3 months. It could take more time. Especially if the airline refuses to cooperate. 

If you do it yourself and for the first time, it takes longer than that.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your Air France compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Air France Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher by Air France?

Voucher instead of compensation? You can say no. You don’t have to accept it. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. It applies to both EU and UK flights.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Air France flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from Air France. 

Once you receive the email, you can see what are your options. Most probably you will be given a choice between a new flight and refund. If you are already at the airport, and it’s a very last-minute cancellation, follow your flight information and wait for the announcement from Air France. Stay at the landside area of the airport. You will have a new flight, and you will need to check in for that flight.

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. If you choose a refund, take into account that you will receive it only after a few days. Usually the refunds are made within 7 days.

Keep in mind that there are situations when Air France is also obliged to pay compensation. In case of flight cancellation, compensation has to be paid when the flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure date, and it is due to the airline’s fault.

Do you need to be on time for another flight? If it’s an Air France connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, Air France will book you on another flight free of charge.

Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Air France Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Air France flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Air France compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.