Blue Panorama Airlines, an Italian low-cost carrier, ceased all operations in October 2021 and was liquidated in late 2022. As a result, the airline no longer operates flights, and its cancellation policies are no longer active. However, I can provide a summary of the cancellation policy as it existed prior to the airline’s closure, based on available information from web sources. For any outstanding claims or refunds related to past bookings, passengers should contact relevant authorities or third-party claim services, as outlined below.
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation:
- Passengers could cancel flights within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the flight was scheduled to depart at least 7 days (168 hours) later. This applied to all fare types, including non-refundable tickets, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation rules for U.S.-related bookings.
- This policy was valid only for tickets booked directly through Blue Panorama’s website (blue-panorama.com), mobile app, or customer service (+1-877-240-6770). Third-party bookings (e.g., via Kayak, Expedia) were subject to the agency’s policies.
Non-Refundable Tickets (e.g., Blu-Express Low-Cost Fares):
- After the 24-hour window, non-refundable tickets could be canceled up to 1 hour before departure, but a cancellation fee applied (typically €50–€100 per segment, depending on fare type, route, and timing). Only taxes and fees were refunded; the fare portion was forfeited.
- Cancellations within 7 days of travel incurred higher fees, and no-show passengers (failing to cancel before departure) lost the entire ticket value.
- Blue Panorama did not offer refundable fares to keep prices low, but passengers could request tax/fee refunds.
Refundable Tickets (e.g., Executive Blue, Business Class):
- Flexible fares allowed cancellations before departure with minimal or no fees, with full refunds to the original payment method. Specific conditions varied by fare type.
- Refunds were processed within 7–20 business days, depending on the payment method.
Flight Cancellations by Blue Panorama:
- If Blue Panorama canceled a flight due to reasons within their control (e.g., technical issues, staff strikes), passengers were entitled to:
- A full refund, including taxes and fees, for unused segments.
- Rebooking on the next available flight at no cost.
- Accommodation and meals for significant delays, per EU Regulation EC 261/2004 (for EU/UK departures).
- For cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control), no compensation was owed, but passengers could request a refund or rebooking.
- Under EC 261/2004, passengers on EU/UK-departing flights could claim €250–€600 compensation for cancellations notified less than 14 days before departure, unless caused by uncontrollable events.
No-Show Policy:
- Passengers who failed to cancel before departure forfeited the entire ticket value, with no refund or credit issued, even for taxes/fees.
Special Circumstances:
- Refunds or fee waivers were available for cancellations due to a passenger’s or family member’s death, with documentation (e.g., death certificate). Medical emergencies were reviewed case-by-case.
- For weather-related cancellations, Blue Panorama typically arranged accommodations or rebooking but did not guarantee compensation. Passengers were advised to check policies via customer service.
How to Cancel (When Operational):
- Phone: Contact customer service at +1-877-240-6770 (noted as often unresponsive). Provide booking reference number.
- Airport: Cancel at a Blue Panorama ticket counter or kiosk, suitable for last-minute changes.
- Travel Agencies: Third-party bookings had to be canceled through the agency, often with additional fees.
- Refunds were requested at the point of purchase, with confirmation sent via email.
Cancellation Fees:
- Non-refundable fares: €50–€100 per segment, with only taxes/fees refunded.
- Name changes incurred €50–€100 fees, with reports of passengers waiting 1.5 hours to process changes.
- No-show: Full ticket forfeiture.
Key Notes for Past Bookings:
- Current Status: As Blue Panorama is defunct, passengers with unresolved refunds or claims from pre-2021 bookings should:
- Contact third-party claim services like AirHelp (airhelp.com), DelayFlight24 (delayflight24.com), or Lexority (lexority.com) for assistance with EC 261/2004 claims (up to €600 for cancellations) or Montreal Convention claims (up to €1,414 for lost luggage). Claims must be filed within 2–6 years, depending on the country.
- Check with travel agencies or credit card companies for chargeback options if booked via third parties.
- EU Protections: For EU/UK-departing flights canceled before October 2021, EC 261/2004 may still apply. Compensation claims can be pursued through services like EU Flight Claims (eu-flightclaims.co.uk).
- Third-Party Bookings: Agencies like Kayak or MakeMyTrip imposed their own fees, complicating refunds. Passengers were advised to book directly with Blue Panorama to avoid issues.
- Operational Issues: Blue Panorama’s low-cost model led to frequent complaints about unannounced cancellations, poor check-in processes, and hidden fees, as noted in 2011–2017 reviews.
Alternative Airlines: Since Blue Panorama no longer operates, consider Italian carriers like ITA Airways, Neos, or Ryanair for similar routes (e.g., Rome, Milan to Europe, Caribbean, or Asia).
