When does a flight count as "cancelled" by the airline? (partial cancellation)

When does a flight count as "cancelled" by the airline? (partial cancellation) - White and Red Air Plane in Mid Air

We had booked a Boston<->Mumbai itinerary with Expedia on Air France. Original flights were operated by Air France, KLM, Vistara & Delta. Obviously we can't go since the countries are in lock down and our Visas have been suspended.

Most legs have already been cancelled but Expedia still shows the full itinerary. Air France shows only bits and pieces: the whole itinerary it now consists of a one flight from Paris to Amsterdam and another one from Paris to New York. Neither flight touches our original departure or destination airport. However Air France still shows it as active. We have active cancellation notifications from KLM and Vistara for two of the legs. Air France and Delta have cancelled or re-booked silently.

Trying to call OTA or Air France at the moment is impossible.

Question: How can one determine when an itinerary/ticket has actually been cancelled. What evidence would be needed to initiate a charge back.



Best Answer

If you bought all the flights as a unit, then the cancellation of any part should count as cancellation of the whole.

You entered into a contract with Air France to get you from one place to another at a particular time. If they can't do this then the contract is cancelled and you get your refund. In normal times they might have been able to give you a viable alternative (replacing one leg with a similar one), but that's not going to happen. In these times you are subject to all the usual delays and caveats that seem to apply to getting refunds, but the principle you should get one.

If you had booked the flights separately then each flight would be subject to separate refund circumstances.




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Are airlines reimbursing for Cancelled flights?

The airline is required to compensate you for a canceled flight if you were notified less than 14 days before your original scheduled departure date. However, compensation is not required if the airline proves that extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather) caused the cancellation.

What is partial cancellation of flight ticket?

In case of partial cancellation (cancelation of only some flights booked in an itinerary), waiver will not be given & normal cancelation penalties will be charged. ZERO Cancellation service is valid only on complete cancellation of itinerary and not on date change of itinerary.

Can you get a partial refund on a plane ticket?

Generally, you can get a partial refund for the unused portion of your ticket. However, there are cases where you've already departed, but due to a flight cancellation, the alternative flight offered to you no longer serves your original travel plan.

What happens if part of your flight is Cancelled?

What should I do if my flight is canceled? If your flight is canceled by the airline, you will either be accommodated on a later flight or, if you decide not to travel, you are entitled to a full refund under federal law. If the flight had multiple stops, you would be refunded for the unused portion of the flight.



COVID-19 FAQs: Flight changes, cancellations and refunds




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