Air India’s cancellation policy varies based on fare type, booking timing, and route. Here’s a concise overview based on the latest information:
24-Hour Cancellation Policy: If you book a flight directly with Air India (website, app, or ticket office) at least 7 days before departure, you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund without fees, regardless of fare type, including non-refundable tickets. This applies especially to flights to/from the United States, per U.S. DOT regulations.
After 24 Hours:
- Refundable Tickets: Flex and Business Class fares (e.g., F, A, C, D, J, Y) can be canceled without fees if done more than 24 hours before departure. Full refunds are issued, minus any applicable taxes or fees for partially used tickets.
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Economy fares (e.g., Z, B, M, H, K, Q, V, W, G, L, U, T, S, E) incur cancellation fees, typically ₹2500–₹3500 ($30–$42) for domestic flights and $100–$300 for international flights, depending on the fare class and timing (e.g., more than 72 hours vs. within 72 hours of departure). Only taxes are refundable for non-refundable tickets.
- Saver Tickets: If canceled more than 24 hours before departure, you receive a 50% refund of the ticket fare; no refund if canceled less than 24 hours before departure.
- No-Show Policy: Failing to cancel or change a booking at least 2 hours before domestic flights or 4 hours before international flights results in forfeiture of the ticket value, with only taxes refundable.
Airline-Initiated Cancellations: If Air India cancels your flight due to weather, technical issues, or operational reasons, you can choose:
- A full refund, including non-refundable tickets.
- Rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost.
- A travel voucher for future use.
- For EU departures, under Regulation 261/2004, you may claim compensation (€250–€600 based on flight distance) if informed less than 14 days before departure, unless caused by extraordinary circumstances.
Special Circumstances:
- Medical Emergencies or COVID-19: Cancellations due to medical emergencies (with valid documentation) or COVID-19 diagnosis/quarantine allow a full refund or one free date change, even for non-refundable tickets.
- Partial Use: For partially used tickets, the refund is calculated by deducting the one-way fare for used segments, taxes, and applicable cancellation fees.
How to Cancel:
- Offline: Contact Air India’s customer service (+1-877-240-6770), visit an Air India office, or contact the travel agency if booked through one.
- Note: Canceling a multi-passenger PNR cancels all passengers’ bookings. Contact customer service for individual cancellations.
Refund Process:
- Refunds are credited to the original payment method within 7–10 business days for online bookings, though credit card refunds may take up to 20 days. Cash or check refunds may take up to 20 business days.
- For third-party bookings, contact the travel agency for refund processing.
- Check refund status via the “Status Check on Pending Refund” option on Air India’s customer support portal.
Additional Notes:
- Cancellation fees vary by fare class, route, and timing. Always review fare conditions at booking.
- For award tickets, contact Flying Blue or Air India’s call center; fees may apply based on fare rules.
- Refunds must be requested within two years of the ticket’s issue date.
