$8,500 reflects the Montreal Convention delay limit for international flights. Actual amounts depend on your flight and documented expenses.
Cancelled, delayed, or stuck overnight? Under 2024 DOT refund rules, your airline must refund your fare and cover hotels, meals, and transport. Our airline reimbursement team handles the claim. You just submit your details.
- 1Enter your flight & expense details
- 2We verify your eligibility instantly
- 3Our legal team claims it back
Air France Refund Policy: How To Get Your Money Back
The Air France refund policy details which travelers are eligible for a refund, under what circumstances they qualify, and whether it qualifies for a full or partial refund.
US travelers flying on Air France may need to request a refund if Air France interrupts the flight or you change your own plans. We’ll break down the nuances of the refund policy for both scenarios to help you find out if you’re eligible for a refund.
Key Takeaways
- US travelers are entitled to a full refund if Air France cancels your flight or delays it more than 5 hours.
- Flights to/from/within the US qualify for an automatic cash refund to your original payment method under the US DOT rules.
- Travelers can cancel any flight ticket within 24 hours of purchasing it for a full refund.
- Voluntary refund requests due to inability to travel are only applicable to the right fare class type.
When Air France owes you a refund
Air France may owe you a refund if you experience a flight delay or cancellation caused by the airline. Air France is regulated under EU law EU-261, allowing passengers to claim a full refund for unused parts of your ticket if the flight is cancelled or delayed by 5+ hours.
US travelers are also protected by the DOT 2024 automatic refund rule, stating that for any Air France flight arriving in or departing the US experiencing a significant schedule change modified by Air France, passengers can refuse the re-routing and claim an automatic cash refund.
If Air France cancelled your flight, or changed it significantly on a US route, you're owed your cash back to the card you paid with - a voucher is something you can accept, not something you have to. And remember a refund and EU-261 compensation are two separate pots: taking your money back for the flight doesn't cancel your right to compensation on top.
- Anton Radchenko, Aviation Attorney and CEO of AirAdvisor.
The 24-hour rule: cancel a new booking for free
Made a mistake during booking? If you booked a flight at least 7 days from the departure date, you can cancel the trip for free and get a full refund under the 24-hour cancellation rule. This is available only to US travelers for plane tickets purchased on US marketplaces or traveling to/from the US. Even non-refundable tickets qualify.
Refund vs. compensation - don’t confuse the two
Get clear on what type of claim you’re requesting from Air France. Passengers requesting a refund returns the money paid for airfare and any extra services for an unused ticket. Submitting a compensation claim, as with the EU-261 compensation for flight delays and cancellations, means the passenger is seeking additional payment for a disruption in their travel plans.
Under certain circumstances, travelers may be eligible to receive both.
Getting a refund when your own plans change (voluntary refunds)
It’s not uncommon for travelers to have unexpected events happen when they can’t travel on their selected date. If it’s past the 24-hour window for free cancellation, the refund amount and eligibility vary based on Air France fare family.
See the table below to see which ticket classes qualify as refundable vs non-refundable tickets:
Cabin / fare family | Refundable if you cancel voluntarily? | What typically comes back |
Economy Light | Usually NO [CONFIRM current conditions] | Generally only certain unused taxes and fees |
Economy Standard | Often only with a fee, or as a voucher [CONFIRM] | Fare minus any change/refund charge, per fare rule |
Economy Flex | Usually YES [CONFIRM] | Full or near-full fare refund |
Premium Economy / Business | Often more flexible [CONFIRM by fare] | Full or near-full fare on flexible fares |
Note that Air France may offer a complimentary compassion refund for well-documented death and illnesses.
How to request an Air France refund
Here’s how travelers can get a refund on Air France flights:
- Find the booking reference code and the email/account used to book the ticket
- Travelers who booked directly with Air France can fill out the official “refund” request form available under ‘Manage My Booking’ on the Air France website. Travelers who booked with a third party must request their refund through the same platform.
- In your claim, mention if the flight was cancelled or modified by Air France, which qualifies for a refund. Alternatively, passengers may state a voluntary refund request, which may incur cancellation fees.
- Save all documentation, including confirmation, tickets, communication emails, receipts, etc.
- Delayed refund claims can be escalated under the EU-261 or US DOT refund rule.
How long an Air France refund takes
In general, passengers should expect their refund from Air France to arrive within 7 business days. It can take up to 20 calendar days when refunding to other payment methods, excluding credit/debit cards. This is applicable for Air France US-route refunds under DOT regulations. It’s also applicable under the EU-261 rule for all Air France flights.
Look for your refund in the original payment method used to book your ticket. To qualify for a refund, you must decline a travel voucher or rebooking offered by the airline.
If Air France refuses or delays your refund
Not all refund requests are approved. Passengers have rights if Air France declines or delays your refund payment. Here’s what to do to escalate the claim:
- Submit a complaint to Air France citing rule EU-261 for a cancellation or the US DOT refund rule for Air France US routes.
- If unresolved, submit a claim to the DGAC (Direction générale de l’aviation civile, France’s national enforcement body. Alternatively, submit a claim to the Mediator Tourisme et Voyage (MTV) for free out-of-court mediation. Travelers on US routes can also submit a complaint to the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
Travelers can submit refund claims for up to five years after the cancellation date.
Air Advisor helped receive Air France refund
Andrew was traveling on an Air France flight between Paris (CDG) and New York (JFK). The flight was cancelled the night before departure and offered Andrew alternative flights that didn’t work for his business schedule. Andrew opted to pay out-of-pocket for another airline flight and requested a refund with Air France for the cancelled ticket. Air France wrongfully demanded a change fee. Air Advisor was helpful in identifying the correct policy and helping Andrew get $1,600 in refund.
Every situation is different and we’ll work with you to reach the best outcome. Leave your refund request for free.
FAQ
Does Air France refund the checked baggage fee?
Yes, checked baggage fees, seat selection, Wi-Fi and other services will be refunded.
When can I get a refund on a non-refundable ticket?
Non-refundable tickets only get refunded within the 24-hour cancellation window or an airline-cased interruption.
Does Air France refund taxes and fees?
Yes, refunds include taxes and fees paid.
Get your Air France refund
Air France gives passengers refunds for flight disruptions or voluntary refunds. Delays and cancellations caused by Air France entitle the traveler to a refund. Travelers who voluntarily change their plans must have a flexible air fare class ticket to receive a full or partial refund. If your refund isn’t received within 7 business days, passengers have the right to escalate the claim. Check if you’re eligible for a refund from Air France with our free delay compensation checker.
Author:
Joanna TeljeurJob/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead
Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development with a focus on consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work centers on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.
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