Air Choice One ceased operations in July 2022 after being acquired by Southern Airways Corporation, and its services were integrated into Southern Airways Express. As a result, Air Choice One’s cancellation policy is no longer active, and any bookings are now handled under Southern Airways Express’ policies. Below is a summary of what was known about Air Choice One’s cancellation policy based on available information, along with guidance for current needs:
Air Choice One Cancellation Policy (Historical)
General Rules:
- Air Choice One offered two fare types: Business Fare and Everyday Fare, both subject to cancellation fees as per their policy. Specific fee amounts were not publicly detailed but could range from USD 100–500, depending on fare type and timing.
- Tickets were non-transferable, and failure to follow cancellation or no-show policies resulted in the forfeiture of the ticket’s value.
- Cancellations incurred fees, and any refundable portion (after fees) was typically issued as a voucher, not cash, which was valid for one year.
- No 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy was explicitly mentioned, unlike major airlines, likely due to Air Choice One’s small-scale operations and Essential Air Service (EAS) focus.
Airline-Initiated Cancellations:
- If Air Choice One canceled a flight (e.g., due to weather, a common issue with small aircraft), passengers were offered rebooking or vouchers. However, their policy did not guarantee cash refunds, even for cancellations, which was criticized compared to major airlines like Spirit or Frontier that offered cash refunds in such cases.
- Vouchers were often issued for canceled flights but were limited to specific routes, which became problematic when routes (e.g., Minneapolis) were discontinued.
How to Cancel:
- In-Person: Cancellations could be processed at airport ticket counters, though check-in was required 30 minutes before departure.
- Travel Agents: Bookings through third parties (e.g., Choice Travel Agency) required cancellation through the agent, with potential additional fees.
Refunds:
- Refunds were limited to taxes and fees for non-refundable fares, with the ticket value forfeited or converted to a voucher.
- Vouchers were non-redeemable for cash, per corporate policy, causing frustration when routes were discontinued.
- No refund processing fees were charged, but delays in refund processing were reported.
No-Show Policy: Failure to cancel before departure resulted in the loss of the ticket’s value, with no refunds or credits issued, except possibly for taxes.
Additional Notes
- Air Choice One operated small aircraft (e.g., Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, Beechcraft 1900C) under the EAS program, serving regional routes like St. Louis, Chicago, and Burlington, IA. Its cancellation policy was less flexible than major airlines, with a focus on vouchers over cash refunds.
- Customer reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor and KAYAK highlighted poor refund handling and route discontinuations, suggesting challenges with voucher usability.
- EU/UK Regulation EC 261/2004 did not apply, as Air Choice One operated solely within the U.S.
