AirBaltic’s cancellation policy allows passengers to cancel flights under specific conditions, with refunds and fees varying by fare type, timing, and circumstances. Below is a concise overview based on available information:
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation: You can cancel any flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the flight departs at least 7 days later (168 hours). This applies to all fare types (Economy Basic, Economy Classic, Economy Flex, Business, Business Experience) and is supported by the AirBaltic Reporting Corporation (ARC) for U.S. bookings. No fees are charged, and refunds are credited to the original payment method within 7–20 business days.
Cancellations After 24 Hours:
- Economy Basic and Economy Classic: These fares are non-refundable, except for unused airport taxes and fees. A cancellation fee of USD 100–500 may apply, depending on the route and timing. If you purchased the Flight Cancellation Option (EUR 14.99–29.99 per passenger per direction), you can receive a full refund (flight + taxes + surcharges + extras, excluding service fees) as an AirBaltic gift card, valid for one year for redemption and travel. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before departure.
- Economy Flex: Cancellations before departure incur a EUR 25 fee per direction per passenger for a refund to the original payment method. No fee applies if you choose a gift card refund. No-show tickets are non-refundable.
- Business: Tickets are fully refundable with no fees if canceled within the ticket’s validity period (one year from purchase).
- Business Experience: Only taxes are refundable, with requests required within the ticket’s validity period.
- For round-trip tickets, if one leg is flown and the other canceled, the used portion is recalculated as a one-way fare, and the remaining difference (minus fees) is refunded, if applicable.
Flight Cancellation Option: For Economy Basic and Classic fares, you can purchase this option (EUR 14.99–29.99) at booking for a full refund as a gift card if canceled 24 hours before departure. This applies only to bookings made on airBaltic.com or via the call center and excludes partner services or additional fees (e.g., date change fees).
Airline-Initiated Cancellations: If AirBaltic cancels your flight (e.g., due to technical issues, weather, or engine maintenance, as with 4,670 flights canceled in summer 2025), you’re entitled to a full refund or rebooking on the next available flight at no cost. For flights departing from EU/UK airports, EU/UK Regulation EC 261/2004 may provide compensation up to €600 if notified less than 14 days before departure and the cancellation is within AirBaltic’s control (e.g., not due to extraordinary circumstances like weather or strikes). Compensation depends on flight distance:
- Up to 1,500 km: €250
- 1,500–3,500 km: €400
- Over 3,500 km: €600 Affected passengers are proactively contacted via email with rebooking or refund options.
Special Circumstances:
- Medical Emergencies: For a non-refundable fee of EUR 5.99 per passenger per flight segment, purchased at booking, you can cancel due to acute illness on the departure day and receive a refund (flight + taxes + surcharges) with a doctor’s note in Latvian, Lithuanian, English, Russian, Estonian, or German. The request must be sent to AirBaltic with the booking confirmation number.
- COVID-19 Cancellations: If AirBaltic cancels due to COVID-19 restrictions, you’re entitled to a full cash refund, not a voucher.
- No-Show: No refunds are provided for no-show tickets, except for taxes on Business Experience fares.
How to Cancel:
- Phone: Contact AirBaltic’s call center at +1-877-240-6770 (verify legitimacy). Provide booking details.
- In-Person: Visit an AirBaltic ticket counter or kiosk at the airport with your booking details.
- Travel Agents: If booked through a third party, contact the agent directly, as additional fees may apply. Refunds must be requested through the point of purchase.
Refunds:
- Refunds for eligible cancellations are processed to the original payment method within 7–20 days or as a gift card (valid for one year). Non-refundable fares only refund taxes unless the Flight Cancellation Option was purchased.
- Refund requests must be made within the ticket’s validity period (one year from purchase). No refunds are issued after expiry or for no-shows.
- For bookings paid with an AirBaltic Club flight e-voucher, taxes and additional services are refunded as a gift card, and a new e-voucher is issued, both valid for one year.
Additional Notes:
- Always check fare rules at booking, as conditions vary by fare type and route.
- EU/UK EC 261/2004 applies only to flights departing from EU/UK airports or arriving on EU/UK carriers. Flights from non-EU airports (e.g., Riga to non-EU destinations) are not covered unless operated by an EU airline.
- Customer reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor report issues with refunds or communication, suggesting persistence or services like AirAdvisor for compensation claims (98% success rate).
