British Airways Cancellation Policy

Flight cancellations can prove complex and expensive, particularly for those who are unfamiliar with the process. This page is designed to help you navigate this issue. If you’ve booked a flight with British Airways and need to cancel, you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find details on British Airways’ cancellation policy, including when and how you can cancel your flight for free, the applicable cancellation fees, and tips on how to avoid them.

British Airways Cancelled Flight Refunds

You qualify for a full fare refund if:

• You cancel your ticket within 24 hours of purchase, provided your travel date is at least 7 days away.
• British Airways cancels your flight.
• British Airways makes significant changes to your flight schedule that are inconvenient for you.
• British Airways delays your flight by 5 hours or more.
• British Airways reschedules your flight, and it no longer stops at your intended destination.
• British Airways made you miss a connecting flight you were booked on.
• British Airways denies you boarding involuntarily due to overbooking (you may also be entitled to compensation in this case).

Hot Tip: If your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, you have the option to decline the new flight offered. You can request alternative transportation, such as a train, or if you have already completed part of your journey, you can ask the airline to fly you back to your original departure point at no additional cost.

British Airways (BA) Refund Policy

Involuntary Refunds (if BA cancels your flight):

• Refund for unused portions of your ticket, including all fees and taxes.
• For partially used tickets, refund equals the fare difference minus the used portion.

Voluntary Refunds (if you cancel your flight):

• Refund of ticket fare and charges, minus cancellation and service fees.
• For partially used tickets, refund is the fare difference minus the used portion, plus applicable fees.

General Refund Conditions:

• Compensation may be claimed for delays of over 3 hours caused by British Airways (excluding extraordinary circumstances).
• Non-refundable tickets offer limited refunds, generally only refundable taxes or fees, unless you can prove exceptional circumstances, potentially earning a travel voucher.
• Refunds follow the fare rules and conditions stated in your booking.
• Refunds are made to the original payer, and proof of payment is required.
• Tickets and unused flight coupons must be returned for a refund.
• Non-flight bookings (e.g., hotels, car hire) must be canceled separately.
• The policy applies to all passengers, including unaccompanied minors.

24-Hour Cancellation Policy

British Airways’ 24-hour cancellation policy allows you to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund if:

• You booked directly with British Airways.
• Your travel date is at least 1 week away from the time of booking.

Note: This risk-free cancellation policy applies to all fare types, including non-refundable tickets.

Cancellation Policy for Death or Severe Illness

Under British Airways’ cancellation policy, if a passenger or an immediate family member falls seriously ill or if a close relative passes away:

• The passenger must provide documentary proof, such as a medical certificate or death certificate.
• The ticket’s validity will be extended in cases of illness.
• In the event of a death, the ticket’s validity will be extended by up to 45 days.

Cancellation Policy for Lost Tickets

British Airways’ cancellation policy for lost tickets states that if you lose a ticket, you must provide evidence of the loss and pay an administration fee. A refund will only be issued after the ticket expires, and you must agree to repay British Airways if any fraud is later detected.

If British Airways or its agents lose the ticket due to negligence, they will not hold you responsible.

Cancellation Fee

• Online Cancellation Fee: Free
• Phone Cancellation Fee: USD 25
• Airport Cancellation Fee: USD 35
• Non-Refundable Ticket Cancellation Fee: USD 10 online, USD 25 by phone, and USD 35 at the airport

Note: You can cancel a ticket with a travel date of September 30, 2023, and receive a travel voucher, provided you complete your new journey by September 30, 2024.

Compensation Policy for Delayed and Cancelled Flights

British Airways’ compensation policy applies to flights to or from airports in the European Union or the U.K., and in some cases, flights landing outside the EU.

If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours due to reasons within the airline’s control, or if you are notified of a cancellation less than 2 weeks before departure, you may be entitled to compensation:

• EUR 250 for flights 1500km or less
• EUR 400 for flights within the EU over 1500km
• EUR 400 for flights to other destinations between 1500-3500km
• EUR 600 for flights exceeding 3500km

Exceptions 

You are not eligible for compensation if British Airways offers an alternative flight with the following conditions:

• Cancellation 7–13 days before departure: The new flight departs up to 2 hours before the original departure and arrives no more than 4 hours after the original arrival.
• Cancellation less than 7 days before departure: The new flight departs up to 1 hour before the original departure and arrives no more than 2 hours after the original arrival.

Note: Compensation will reduce by 50% if the new flight arrives within:

• 2 hours for flights up to 1500km
• 3 hours for EU flights over 1500km
• 3 hours for other flights between 1500–3500km
• 4 hours for longer flights

Claiming Expenses and Compensation

If British Airways cancels or delays your flight and you incur extra expenses, BA will reimburse you for:

• Hotel accommodation (if applicable)
• Airport-to-hotel transportation (if applicable)
• Meals and refreshments
• 2 phone calls or internet charges

Remember, you will not be entitled to any compensation if: 

You are not eligible for reimbursement if:

• You (or your travel agent) were notified of the cancellation at least 14 days before your travel date.
• Your flight will be under a 3-hour delay.
• You are claiming expenses for car rentals, parking, or other costs due to changing your departure point or destination.

Extraordinary circumstances beyond BA’s control, such as, impacted your flight.

• Adverse weather
• Political instability
• Employee strikes
• Airport closures
• Air traffic control decisions
• Bird strikes

British Airways Cancellation Process

You can cancel your British Airways flight by phone, online, or through the travel agent where you bought your ticket. Online cancellations are only possible for customers who have purchased tickets directly from British Airways (via their website, ticket counter, or call center).

To cancel online:

1. Go to BritishAirways.com.
2. Click on “Manage My Booking” (below the booking box).
3. Enter your booking reference and last name.
4. Click “Find Booking.”
5. Select your flight and follow the prompts to cancel.

Note: A service fee may apply for cancellations.

Alternatively, you can opt for a travel voucher to use for a future booking:

• We will send you the voucher within 7 days of receiving your application.
• You can use it to make a partial or full payment for a future booking.
• Make sure to use the new ticket before the voucher expires.

British Airways Refund Time

If you purchase tickets directly from British Airways in the United States using a credit card, British Airways will process your cancellation request within 7 days. However, it may take up to 2 billing cycles for the refund to appear on your statement. We refund tickets purchased with checks within 20 days of receiving your application.

Am I Eligible for a Refund on British Airways?

You are eligible for a full refund on your British Airways booking if:

• You must book at least 1 week in advance and cancel within 24 hours.
• You cancel a fully flexible, refundable ticket.

Note: You can also request a refund by contacting British Airways by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions