British Airways Cancellation Policy

It can be expensive and difficult to cancel a flight, especially if it is not clear how they work. This page will address your concern. You're here because you booked a British Airways flight and want to cancel it. Learn how British Airways cancels your flights. What cancellation fees you will be charged and when to cancel.

British Airways Cancelled Flight Returns

British Airways cancel policy provides that you will be entitled to a full reimbursement of your fare if you:

  • A ticket can be cancelled within 24 hours of purchase as long as the travel date is less than 7 days.
  • British Airways cancels the flight
  • British Airways can make significant changes to your flight schedule, and they won't be able to accommodate you.
  • British Airways delays flights by up to five hours.
  • British Airways does not stop at your destination.
  • British Airways can cause you to miss a connection flight you had booked.
  • British Airways will refuse to fly you because of your fault.

Hot Tip Hot Tip. You can ask for a train or alternative transport, or if you've already flown a portion of your trip, request that the airline fly you back to your origin point free of cost.

Flight cancellation rules

  • Involuntary reimbursements (If BA cancels a flight).
  • will be refunded on any portion of your ticket that is not used. British Airways will reimburse you for any fees, surcharges, taxes or other charges that you have charged.
    • If you have only partially used your ticket, your refund amount will be the difference of the total fare paid and the portion you used during your travel.
    • Voluntary reimbursements (if you cancel your flight).
  • If you cancel your flight ticket due to reasons other than the ones mentioned above, you'll receive a refund on your ticket price and any other charges, surcharges fees, etc. with a small cancellation fee and/or service charge (if applicable).
  • If you and your companions have used your ticket, your refund amount will be equal to the difference between your total fare and the amount you consumed during your travel. This includes any cancellation fee or service charges.
    • General Refund Terms
    • Cancellation of non-refundable tickets is not possible. The refundable taxes or fees will not be refunded on non-refundable tickets. You may be granted a travel voucher if you can demonstrate that your ticket was cancelled due to circumstances beyond your control.
  • All refunds will be subjected to the fare rules, conditions and terms that apply to your booking (and are listed in it).
    • If you have not specified otherwise, refunds will be made to the person paying for the ticket.
    • You must be capable of proving that you have paid for the ticket.
    • If you want to request a refund, you will need to hand the ticket in addition any flight coupons that have expired.
    • You can cancel non-flight reservations, such as hotel accommodation, car rental, etc. separately.

British Airways Cancellation Policy for Certain Travel Dates

You can cancel these tickets by and claim a travel voucher until April 30, 2023.

  • Bookings made before March 3, 2020 are valid for travel until February 28, 2021.
  • Tickets for travel up to April 30, 2022 will be available starting March 3, 2020

For cancellations of tickets purchased through a travel agent contact them directly.

Things to Remember

  • To purchase your new ticket, you can use your travel vouchers.
  • Your trip (i.e. return and departure) must be submitted by April 30, 2023.
  • Within 7 days after submitting your application, you will receive vouchers by email.
  • Cancel your trip online using Manage My Booking. Or call British Airways and ask for cancellation. You must contact British Airways to cancel or amend your booking if you want to change your travel dates as well as your destination.
  • If you booked through a travel agency, you will need to contact them directly.
  • You can submit an online application for a travel coupon by filling this form .

British Airways 24-Hour Cancellation Policy

British Airways' 24-hour cancellation policy lets you cancel your flight within 24 hours. You will receive a full refund for travel dates less than 1 week after purchase. This policy is available for all fares, even those that are non-refundable.

British Airways Cancellation Policies Due to Death or Severe Infirmity

British Airways cancels tickets due to serious illness, death or close family members of a passenger.

  • Passenger must show documentary evidence of illness (medical certificates) or death (death certificates).
  • If you are ill, your ticket's validity will be extended.
  • If a relative dies, the ticket's validity will be extended no more than 45-days.

British Airways Cancellation Policies for Lost Tickets

British Airways cancellation policy regarding lost tickets states that you must present satisfactory proof of the loss and pay any applicable administration fees. If your request for a refund is approved, your ticket will be returned to you after it expires. British Airways will also reimburse you if fraud is discovered later.

British Airways and its agents may be negligent in causing your ticket to be lost. However, we will not be responsible.

British Airways charges the following cancellation fees:

  • Online cancellation fee--free
  • Cancellation fee per phone--USD 25,
  • Cancellation fee: USD 35
  • The cancellation fee for non-refundable tickets costs USD 10 online, USD 25 by telephone and USD 35 at airport.

Note. Notification.

British Airways Cancellation Contact Number

Can't cancel your ticket online because of technical difficulties? To cancel your flight online, call the British Airways cancellation line +866-399-0587 and save time.

British Airways Compensation policy for delayed and cancelled flights

How much compensation do I have for a British Airways flight delay?

EUR250

EUR400

EUR600

Fewer than 1500km

1500 - 3500km

More than 3500km

British Airways compensation policy covers BA flights to/from European Union airports, and sometimes flights to/from outside the European Union.

If your flight was delayed more than three hours and the airline prevented it, or if you were informed less than two weeks before your flight cancellation, you are entitled to compensation.

  • EUR250 If your flight is less than 1500km
  • EUR400 for flights greater than 1500km within the EU
  • EUR400 If your flight to any destination is between 1500-3500km
  • EUR 600 on flights beyond 3500km 

Exceptions  

If an alternative flight is offered with the following departure/arrival times, you will not receive compensation

  • BA will notify you about cancellation at least 7 to 13 days in advance. If your new flight departs less than 2 hours prior to the original departure time, and arrives at your destination within 4 hours of the original arrival time
  • BA must inform you at least 7 days in advance of departure about cancellio n. The new flight will depart up to an hour prior to the original departure time and land at your final destination within 2 hours.

Note. BA will reduce your compensation by 50%. The new flight's arrival at the destination airport is not longer than the original flight's arrival by:

  • 1 hour for flights within 1500km
  • Flights exceeding 1500 km within the EU take 3 hours
  • For flights between 1500 and 3500 km, it takes approximately 3 hours
  • For flights not included above, allow 4 hours

Claiming Expenses & Compensation

British Airways will pay you the following expenses if your flight was delayed or cancelled by British Airways.

  • Accommodation in a hotel (if applicable).
  • Transport costs from the airport to the hotel (if applicable).
  • Meals and refreshments
  • 2 phone calls/internet charges.

How do I submit a claim

If you submit a claim, please provide the following:

  • The names of all passengers who claim reimbursement.
  • The flight details of cancelled and delayed flights.
  • You will need receipts (scanned, original or duplicate) and details of expenses to support your claim.
    Scanned receipts may be submitted online or hard copies can sent by post.
  • The bank details required to process the payment

Keep in mind that you won't be entitled to any compensation for:

  • You, or your travel agent, were informed at least 14 calendar days in advance of your travel date.
  • Your flight is delayed less than three hours.
  • If you choose to travel to a different destination or depart from a different point, you will need to claim any expenses such as parking and hiring a vehicle.
  • BA cannot control extraordinary circumstances that caused the flight to be cancelled, such as:
  • Negative weather
  • Political instability
  • Strikes among employees
    • Airport closure
    • Air traffic control decisions
    • Birds strike

British Airways Cancellation Return Policy--Points To Remember

British Airways must refund your ticket price if it cancels your flight. It can also re-route your flight on the next available flight. You can choose to get a refund if you don't like the new flight. Online cancellations are possible if your flight was booked through British Airways. You can request a refund online through the customer service portal , or by calling British Airways. The service fee you already paid will not be refunded.

You have the option to get a refund regardless of the reason your flight was cancelled. You can still claim a refund even if your flight was cancelled for reasons beyond the airline’s control (weather conditions, employee strikes, airport closures or airspace restrictions). If your flight was cancelled for reasons beyond the airline's control (weather, strikes, airport closure, restrictions, etc.), you can still get a refund.

Additional assistance may be available at the airport such as refreshments and hotel accommodation (for overnight stays), as well transportation from the airport to your hotel.

British Airways cancel policy allows you to refuse a refund for the following reasons:

  • Your ticket cannot be refunded.
  • After the ticket has expired, you may request a full refund.
  • You have presented your ticket to BA, or to a government official, to prove that you will be leaving the country. If you are unable to do so, BA will ask you to either prove that you were granted permission to remain in the nation, or that you will travel with a different airline.

How to Cancel Your British Airways Fly

You can cancel your British Airways flight either online or over the phone at +1-866-399-5087. Online cancellations cannot be made for tickets purchased from British Airways (website ticket counter or call center).

Cancel your British Airways flight online

A screenshot from the ManageMyBookoption on British Airways website

  1. Go to BritishAirways.com
  2. Click on Manage My Booking, which appears below the booking window.
  3. Enter your booking reference, last name and email address
  4. Click on the Book Now button
  5. Follow these prompts to select your flight and cancel it

You may be charged a cancellation fee.

Instead of cancelling your booking, you can redeem a travel coupon and fly later.

  • Within 7 days of your submission, you will receive the voucher.
  • You can use your travel voucher to pay for future bookings.
  • You must use the travel voucher to fully utilize your new ticket before it expires.

How do I claim a refund online

Follow the steps below to request a refund from British Airways.

  1. Go to British Airways' customer portal
  2. Log in to your account or log in as a guest
  3. Choose the box marked "Delays, cancellations or diversions".
  4. Follow the prompts and complete the form.

How much time will British Airways take for my refund

British Airways tickets in the United States purchased with credit cards are processed within 7 business days of receipt of your application. However, it may take up 2 billing cycles for credit card statements to reflect. Tickets purchased using checks are processed within 20 days after receiving the application.

Am i eligible for a refund on British Airways?

Under the following conditions, you can get a full refund for your British Airways flight booking

  • Book at least a week before your departure date and cancel within 24hrs.
  • A fully flexible ticket can be cancelled (which is completely refundable).

British Airways also offers a way to request a full refund.

You can cancel flights with Avios points online by logging into your Executive Club account.

  • Contact the travel agent if you need a refund.