Confirm the cancellation
Check your airline's official app, website, or email. Keep your confirmation code and look for any automatically assigned replacement flight or deadline to accept it.
Canceled flight & next steps
Flight canceled? Here's what to do.
Still need to get there? Check your airline's rebooking offer first, understand your refund choices, and compare other flight options before you decide.
Discuss Flight Options ·Independent travel assistance, not an airline. A third-party provider may discuss separate booking options but cannot guarantee changes to your existing ticket. Fees may apply.
Your flight was canceled
Three things to do right away
Your best next step depends on whether you still need to travel and which options your airline has already offered.
Review the airline's options
See whether you can select another flight through the airline at no additional cost. Compare departure times, connections, arrival airports, and any ticket conditions before accepting.
Decide if you still need to travel
If the replacement won't get you there when needed, compare alternatives. If you choose not to travel, review your refund rights before accepting a credit or voucher.
Keep the original booking details handy. Before paying for a separate ticket, check whether the airline can offer a suitable alternative. Buying a new ticket does not automatically cancel or refund your old reservation.
Two different situations
Need another flight — or a refund?
Start with the outcome you actually need. Rebooking and refunds work differently.
I still need to reach my destination
Look for free rebooking options offered by your airline before buying a replacement ticket. The available flights and terms depend on its policies and your itinerary.
If the airline's alternatives do not fit your schedule, you can compare other flights. An independent travel assistance agent may be able to discuss a separate booking, subject to availability, pricing, and provider terms.
Before buying a separate ticket, review our new flight booking checklist to compare dates, airports, and total costs.
I no longer want to take the trip
If your airline cancels a flight to, from, or within the U.S., you're generally entitled to a refund if you do not accept an alternative flight, travel credit, or other compensation — even if your ticket was nonrefundable.
Check who sold the ticket and who is responsible for the refund. See the U.S. Department of Transportation's refund guidance before deciding.
Important: Accepting and taking an alternative flight can affect your right to a refund for the canceled journey. Check the offer carefully. If the airline gave you a response deadline and you want the replacement flight, respond before it expires.
Rebooking and extra costs
What about meals, hotels, and other airlines?
Some airlines offer more than a replacement flight when a cancellation is within their control. These commitments vary by carrier and circumstance.
Ask about rebooking first
If your flight was canceled, ask what the airline can offer at no additional cost. Some carriers also rebook eligible passengers on partner airlines, but this is not universal.
Check assistance during a long wait
Meals, hotel stays, and transportation may be available for certain cancellations caused by the airline. Eligibility varies, and weather-related disruptions may be treated differently.
For U.S. carriers, consult the DOT airline cancellation dashboard for published commitments.
Common questions
Canceled flight questions, answered
Does the airline have to put me on another flight?
Airlines often offer rebooking, and some have commitments to rebook at no additional cost. Your options depend on the carrier and the cause of the cancellation. Check the airline's official app or contact the ticket seller for your specific booking.
Can I get money back for a nonrefundable ticket?
Generally, yes. If the airline cancels a covered flight and you do not accept an alternative, you may be entitled to a refund even if your original ticket was nonrefundable. Check the U.S. Department of Transportation's guidance for details.
Should I accept a travel voucher?
Before accepting a travel voucher or credit, check whether you're entitled to a refund to your original form of payment. Accepting an alternative can affect your refund options.
Can I book another airline if I need to leave today?
You can look for a separate new flight, but a new ticket may have a different price and conditions. Before paying, check whether the original airline can rebook you first and understand what will happen to your old booking.
Who should I contact if I booked through a travel website?
Check your confirmation and payment record. The airline or ticket seller responsible for your purchase may be the right contact for rebooking or a refund. The U.S. DOT explains how the merchant of record affects refunds.
Still need to fly?
Need to discuss alternative flight options?
If the airline's replacement flight doesn't work for your schedule, you can call an independent travel assistance agent to discuss whether a separate booking might be available. This is not the airline's official rebooking department; ticket availability, price, and provider fees can vary.
For changes to an existing ticket, first check with the airline or original seller. AirTripAssist is independent and cannot promise free rebooking or a refund.
Need to change a flight that has not been canceled? See our flight change guide.