Cancelled Flight – A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.

Yes, if an airline cancels your flight, you are legally entitled to a full cash refund, regardless of the reason for the cancellation or the type of ticket you purchased. Under the latest 2026 regulations from major aviation authorities like the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the European Union (EC 261/2004), airlines are prohibited from forcing you to accept travel vouchers or "credit shells" as the only option. If the airline cancels the flight or makes a "significant change" to the schedule (typically more than 3 hours for domestic or 6 hours for international), they must offer a refund to the original form of payment. For credit card purchases, this refund must usually be processed within seven business days; for cash or check, within 20 days. Many airlines will first try to offer vouchers because it keeps the revenue in their system, so you must explicitly state that you want a refund to your card. Always check the specific "passenger bill of rights" for the country you are flying in to ensure you are getting the full amount including taxes and fees.