Discover how the Air France cancellation policy enhances the flexibility of your flight reservations, offering surprisingly affordable cancellation options that may exceed your expectations.
Within this article, we will comprehensively explore the cancellation guidelines, rules, penalties, and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of cancellations, whether they are initiated by you or the airline itself.
What is the ticket cancellation policy of Air France?
Air France provides travelers with the convenience of flexible tickets, allowing changes and refunds, albeit with potential cancellation fees and additional charges.
The Air France cancellation policy extends its applicability to both refundable and non-refundable fares. Beyond this, there exist several other crucial guidelines that require your attention prior to executing a cancellation. These guidelines are distinctly outlined for both refundable and non-refundable fare categorie
For Non-Refundable Tickets
The Air France cancellation policy specifically applies to segments of your booking that have not been used or flown.
For fares that are categorized as restricted or non-refundable, passengers have the option to request a cancellation and, in return, receive a future credit voucher. In the case of non-refundable fares, the voucher amount corresponds to the total booking value minus the applicable cancellation fee.
This future credit voucher remains valid for a period of one year starting from the date of cancellation and can be utilized for the purchase of new flights. Should the new fare’s residual value exceed the value of the travel voucher, passengers are required to pay the fare difference. Conversely, if the fare difference is lower, there will be no refund provided for the remaining balance, in accordance with Air France’s cancellation policy.
In situations involving the unfortunate event of a passenger’s death, and in some instances, due to injury or illness affecting immediate family members, Air France may consider a ticket refund as an exception to their policy.
For Refundable Tickets
Refundable fares are renowned for their adaptable cancellation policy, granting passengers considerable flexibility.
For international flights, passengers are permitted to request a cancellation up to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time. Meanwhile, for domestic flights within France, cancellations can be made up to 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure.
In scenarios where passengers are unable to make their scheduled flight, they still retain the option to cancel their ticket and seek a refund after the designated departure time. However, it’s essential to note that this cancellation comes with the imposition of a no-show fee, in addition to the regular airline cancellation fees.
It’s important to emphasize that, under no circumstances, does the cancellation policy provide a waiver for cancellation fees.
24-Hour Cancellation Policy of Air France
Passengers who opt to cancel their tickets within the initial 24 hours of making reservations with the airline can rejoice, as the Air France cancellation policy ensures they won’t incur any cancellation charges.
It’s worth noting that passengers attempting to cancel their bookings on the same day, even if it’s before midnight, will not see any charges deducted from their accounts.
Conversely, passengers who decide to cancel their reservations within 24 hours of purchase, even after midnight, will receive a refund without any deductions for cancellation fees.
Before proceeding with a 24-hour cancellation, passengers should take note of the following key points:
1. The departure date must be at least 7 days or more from the time of cancellation to qualify for a full refund.
2. The 24-hour cancellation privilege does not apply to Frequent Flyer members.
3. Passengers with group reservations for 10 or more individuals are eligible for 24-hour cancellation but are subject to a group contract.
4. Air France allows flight changes within 24 hours of booking without imposing any penalties.
5. Reservations made with travel credit vouchers are not eligible for 24-hour cancellation.
Under the 24-hour cancellation policy, passengers are spared from paying any Air France cancellation fees.
Air France Ticket Cancellation Process
When you’re in the process of booking your flight with the airline, it’s crucial to verify that your ticket bears a ticket number commencing with the digit 057. This ensures that you are eligible for the Air France flight cancellation service. Passengers are afforded the convenience of initiating flight cancellations through both online and telephone channels. To facilitate a seamless Air France flight cancellation request, we’ve outlined the precise steps and guidance below:
Cancel Air France Flight Ticket Online
To initiate the cancellation of your flight booking with Air France, you will need either a 13-digit ticket number or a 6-digit booking reference number. It’s important to note that an upfront Air France cancellation fee will be required when submitting your cancellation request.
Once your request is processed, you will receive a confirmation email containing the details of your refund or credit voucher. Follow these step-by-step instructions to successfully cancel your flight reservation:
1. Start by visiting the Air France Airlines homepage and log in to your account.
2. Look for and click on the tab labeled “Booking,” “My Bookings,” or “My Trip.”
3. Upon selecting the “My Trip” option, a list of your reservations will appear on the screen. Choose the specific trip you wish to cancel.
4. After selecting the trip for cancellation, a pop-up message will appear, asking you to confirm your decision to cancel the selected trip.
5. Confirm your cancellation by selecting the “Yes” option if you are sure about canceling the chosen trip.
6. Once you hit the confirmation button, the selected trip will be officially canceled.
7. The airline will send a confirmation message to your registered phone number regarding the initiated cancellation.
8. Fill out the refund claim form, and the refund will be credited back to the same account through which the reservation was initially made.
9. The refund will be processed within 10 business days, following the deduction of any applicable cancellation fees, if applicable.
For further details, please visit the official website of Air France Airlines.
Cancel Flight Ticket Via Phone Call
If you’re not comfortable with online processes or if your ticket type does not allow for online cancellations, don’t hesitate to contact the Air France cancellation phone number to speak with one of the airline’s representatives. Once your request is processed, you will receive an email confirmation containing the details of your refund or credit voucher.
How to Cancel Ticket At the Airport?
This option becomes especially handy if you find yourself needing to make a last-minute cancellation while you’re already at the departure airport. Airline policies permit cancellations at the airport, provided you do so up to 3 hours before the scheduled departure for international flights, or 2 hours before for domestic flights. You can easily approach the Air France check-in agent to request the cancellation.
Cancellation Fee Charged by Air France
Passengers should be aware that a non-refundable airline penalty will be enforced if they voluntarily request a refund for their booking. Nevertheless, no fees will be charged if the passenger requests cancellation within 24 hours of purchase. Furthermore, it’s essential to note that Air France ticket cancellation fees differ depending on whether the cancellation is done online, by phone, or at the airport.
The breakdown of the fee structure is outlined below in accordance with the Air France cancellation policy:
| Time Limit | Online Cancellation (in $US) | Phone Cancellation (in $US) | Airport Cancellation (in $US) |
| Outside 24 hours | 200 | 250 | 200 |
| Within 24 hours | Free | Free | Not Allowed |
Note – Please note that the previously mentioned Air France cancellation fee is subject to change and may not be entirely accurate. We recommend reaching out to the airline directly for the most current and precise information regarding cancellation fees.
Cancelled Flights Policy - Air France
In accordance with the Air France cancellation policy, passengers experiencing flight delays or cancellations are eligible to receive either a refund, compensation for canceled flights, or potentially both.
Let’s delve into the specifics of each flight scenario and explore the actions you can take in such situations:
Delayed Flights
If your flight is delayed by the airline, take the following steps by visiting the airline counter at the airport and inquiring about the cause of the delay:
1. Ensure you obtain written documentation from the airline detailing the specific reasons for the delay.
2. If the delay stretches to 3 hours or longer, you have the right to receive meals and refreshments, in addition to potential compensation for a canceled flight.
3. In the event of a delay exceeding 3 hours, you have the option to claim a refund for the unused portion of your ticket.
What if Passengers have been denied Boarding?
In certain instances, airlines may deny boarding to passengers because of overbooking, and in such situations, passengers have specific rights:
Passengers have the right to cancel their booking and request a full refund for their reservation.
Additionally, passengers are entitled to receive ‘right to care’ provisions if the alternative flight arrangement necessitates an overnight stay.
In cases involving connections, where passengers must catch another flight, they may be eligible for additional compensation to address the inconvenience caused.
Flight Cancellation Compensation Offered by Air France
In the event that the airline fails to provide passengers with proper notification of a cancellation and does not offer an alternative flight, passengers are entitled to both cancellation compensation and a refund.
The Air France flight cancellation compensation varies, falling within a range of $250 to $600 USD. The specific compensation amount is determined by several factors, including:
- The distance between the origin (point A) and the destination (point B) of the flight.
- The duration of the delay.
- Whether or not an alternative flight has been offered as an option.
Flight Delay Compensation Offered by Air France
Passengers’ entitlement to compensation for flight delays varies based on the distance of the flight:
For flights covering a distance less than 1500 km between point A and point B, the compensation amount is $250 USD.
If the flight distance falls between 1500 and 3500 km, the compensation amount is $400 USD.
When the flight distance exceeds 3500 km between point A and point B, passengers are eligible for a compensation amount of $600 USD.
There are specific scenarios that warrant special mention:
For flights covering a distance greater than 3500 km where the flight experiences a delay of 3 hours or more, passengers are entitled to the full compensation of $600 USD.
If the delay on a flight exceeding 3500 km is less than 3 hours, the cancellation flight compensation amount is reduced by 50%, resulting in a compensation of $300 USD.
Here’s a summary in tabular form for your reference:
| Delay Length | Flight Distance From Point A to Point B | Compensation Amount (in $US) |
| 3 hours or more | Less than 1500 km | 250 |
| 3 hours or more | Between 1500 and 3500 km | 400 |
| 3-4 hours | More than 3500 km | 300 |
| 4 hours or more | More than 3500 km | 600 |
Flight Cancellation Compensation Offered by Air France
In cases where a passenger holds a confirmed booking and the airline cancels it within 14 days of the scheduled departure, the compensation provided is as follows:
| Flight Length | Compensation Amount (in $US) |
| Less than 1500 km | 250 |
| Between 1500 and 3500 km | 400 |
| More than 3500 km | 300 |
Air France Refund Policy
Refunds for Air France flight cancellations are extended to the individual who made the ticket payment or the passenger named on the ticket, provided valid travel documents are submitted.
The actual refund amount depends on various factors. For instance, if you hold a partially used ticket, the refund will be calculated based on the unused flight segment, prorated according to the fare rules of the ticket, minus the applicable Air France cancellation fees.
Here are additional guidelines to keep in mind before pursuing a refund for your flight booking under the Air France cancellation policy:
1. Tickets purchased within 24 hours and completed one week or more before the scheduled departure may qualify for a full refund.
2. Air France’s Basic Economy tickets do not qualify for refunds under any circumstances, except for the 24-hour cancellation window.
3. To cancel and claim a refund for eligible flight bookings, visit the Manage Booking section.
4. Different refund policies may apply based on the country or region from which you purchased your flight.
5. If you’ve experienced a flight disruption or cancellation and were denied a refund, contact Air France customer service to request a refund using their provided form. The airline will assess your eligibility for a refund.
6. All types of trips and service classes, regardless of fare rules, are eligible for voluntary refunds.
7. Refunds can be issued as either cash or travel credit, depending on the type of fare you purchased.
8. Refunds are processed through the original payment method, with credit card refunds taking approximately 7-10 business days and other payment forms potentially requiring 15-20 business days.
Air France’s comprehensive cancellation policy ensures passengers have options and flexibility in case they need to make changes or cancel their flights, and understanding these guidelines can help travelers make informed decisions.