First: choose refund or rerouting
When the airline cancels, it must offer a refund or comparable rerouting. This applies regardless of why the cancellation happened. If you wait for an alternative flight, care rights can also apply.
Then: test fixed compensation
Fixed compensation may be due when the airline gave less than 14 days' notice and extraordinary circumstances did not cause the cancellation.
| Notice | Replacement timing that can remove compensation |
|---|---|
| At least 7 full days, but less than 14 | Leaves no more than 2 hours early and arrives less than 4 hours late |
| Less than 7 full days | Leaves no more than 1 hour early and arrives less than 2 hours late |
If compensation remains due, rerouting that gets you to the destination within two, three or four hours — depending on distance — can reduce the amount by half.
Evidence to save
- The original booking and scheduled times.
- The cancellation email or message with its timestamp.
- Every replacement option the airline offered.
- The actual arrival time at the final destination.
- Itemised hotel, meal and transport receipts.
A ticket refund is not the same as fixed compensation. Accepting a refund does not automatically
answer whether compensation is due, but it can affect your rerouting choice.