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.

In 2026, whether you receive a cash reimbursement for a cancelled flight depends primarily on the reason for the cancellation and the jurisdiction of the airline. Under EU 261 (and the mirrored UK rules), if your flight is cancelled by the airline for reasons within their control (like crew scheduling or technical faults), you are entitled to a full refund or a reroute, plus potential compensation up to €600 if notified less than 14 days before. In the United States, 2024-era DOT regulations now strictly mandate that airlines must provide an automatic cash refund if a flight is cancelled for any reason and the passenger chooses not to travel on the offered alternative. This includes cancellations due to "Acts of God" like weather. However, "compensation" (extra money for the inconvenience) is still not legally required in the U.S. for weather-related issues. Always check if the airline is offering a voucher or a refund; in 2026, you have the legal right to insist on the original payment method rather than store credit.