Cancelling flights can incur a fee. A cancellation fee charged is sometimes charged by the airline, depending on the terms and conditions of your ticket. If you purchase a fully-refundable flight ticket, this fee may not apply. You might be wondering why you would pay money to cancel a flight that you're not flying on.

When you cancel a flight in 2026, the outcome depends on the "fare class" you purchased and how far in advance you act. Under the 24-hour rule (standard in the US and many other regions), if you booked at least 7 days before departure, you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to your original payment method. After that window, if you have a "Non-Refundable" or "Basic Economy" ticket, you will typically receive a Future Flight Credit minus a cancellation fee (though many major airlines have permanently waived these fees for standard Economy and above). If you have a "Refundable" ticket, the money goes back to your card, but these tickets often cost 2x-3x more. If the airline cancels the flight or makes a significant schedule change (usually 3+ hours), you are legally entitled to a full cash refund, regardless of your ticket type. Always cancel before the flight departs; if you simply don't show up ("No-Show"), you usually forfeit the entire value of the ticket with no credit given.