Flight cancellations can disrupt even the most well-planned travel itineraries.
Will Air France provide an alternative flight if they cancel your flight? They should offer you the next available flight option. However, it may take some time for them to present a solution, and you could find yourself waiting at the airport the entire day or possibly flying out several days later. In this article, we’ll discuss both aspects – how it ideally operates and what steps to take if your experience differs.
You Have a Right to Alternative Travel Options From Air France
Air France is a European airline.
If Air France cancels a flight, they are obligated to provide two choices for passengers to consider.
The first choice is to receive a complete refund of the ticket price, while the second option is to reschedule the flight date at no extra cost. If it’s a very last-minute flight cancellation, it’s entirely reasonable to want a flight departing as soon as possible (the next available flight).
This is also what the law stipulates that Air France must offer. It applies universally across all scenarios. You have the right to request a flight that departs as close to the original scheduled time as feasible.
This new flight must be provided at no additional charge.
These rules apply as long as the airline is based in Europe or the flight originates from a European country. For non-European airlines, these regulations only apply to flights departing 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.
Air France Partner Airlines
In some cases, Air France may rebook you on a partner airline if no suitable Air France flights are available. Or, it may also be just another airline.
This can be a convenient option, but it may not always be offered.
If you see that there are other, better flight options for you to get to your destination, it’s worth mentioning that in the talks with the Air France staff – when agreeing on what to do now when your Air France flight is cancelled. It’s especially worth a try when it’s a last-minute flight cancellation and you are already at the airport.
How should it work?
You should be on the next flight to your destination, whether that’s with Air France or another airline. It’s important to remain proactive and communicate your needs clearly to the airline staff to ensure you get the most suitable rebooking options available.
It’s Taking Longer Than Expected
Here are a few of the most likely scenarios:
- You can’t reach Air France.
- The new flight is many hours later.
- Air France is offering a new flight several days later, which is not suitable for you.
The first option is tricky. You could book a different flight and then submit a claim to Air France afterwards, but this might complicate issues since you have yet to consider what the airline is providing for all passengers impacted by the flight cancellation. Demonstrating that the airline was not reachable and that you made the right decision could be difficult.
In the second case, you have the right to request an alternate flight. Based on Regulation EC261, you are entitled to be transported to your destination “under comparable transport conditions at the earliest opportunity.” This may involve a different airline, and it could be a connecting flight instead of a non-stop flight if that presents a better option.
Be prepared that Air France may not grant this request and might attempt to have you take their flight.
In the third scenario, your rights are consistent with those in the second. You can request a more suitable flight that aligns better with your schedule. Additionally, if all else fails, you always have the option to purchase a new ticket yourself and subsequently file a claim with the airline.
Try to Negotiate With Air France
In many scenarios, it might seem easier to simply “purchase a new flight”.
However, securing any refund from Air France later could prove to be far more challenging than negotiating a suitable flight at the moment the issue arises.
Always attempt to negotiate with the airline when the issue arises. If your Air France flight is cancelled, reach out to Air France personnel at the airport or via phone, discuss options that work best for you, and discover the most appropriate alternative to your initial flight. Remember to maintain a respectful and constructive attitude.
Do You Have Travel Insurance?
If your flight is cancelled and the airline is suggesting only flights that do not suit your schedule, having travel insurance that covers flight cancellations can be incredibly useful.
This way, you can “just buy a new flight” and subsequently receive reimbursement from your travel insurance provider. Additionally, you may be eligible for a refund for flight cancellation from Air France, and possibly a flight cancellation compensation (if it’s due to the airline’s error and occurred less than 14 days before your departure).
Regardless of the cause of the flight cancellation, most Air France passengers are entitled to a choice between a new flight and a refund.
Read more: What to Do If Air France Does Not Provide Alternative Travel Options?
Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation
If your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the scheduled departure, and the cancellation is attributable to the airline, you are often entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
You also have the option to request both – a full refund and flight compensation.
- For European airlines, these rights apply to all their flights.
- For non-European airlines, these rights apply to flights departing from Europe.
Air France Flight Cancellation Refund
First and foremost, it’s important to differentiate between a refund and compensation.
A refund refers to the money reimbursed to you (the amount you paid for your flight ticket).
If, for instance, Air France cancels a flight, you generally have the right to choose between a complete refund and a rebooking on a new flight. You can opt for a full refund back to your bank account instead of accepting the alternative flight provided by Air France.
As mentioned previously, you may select a full refund if the alternate flight doesn’t suit your needs, and you plan to simply purchase a new ticket. Or you may have decided not to fly altogether.
You are not obliged to accept vouchers in this circumstance.
Do you have queries regarding your rights for a new flight in the event of a cancellation or compensation for an Air France flight cancellation? Don’t hesitate to ask in the comments.