Sunwing Airlines, a Canadian low-cost carrier, has a restrictive cancellation policy that varies by fare type, booking channel, and timing. Below is a concise overview based on the latest information from their official website (sunwing.ca) and reliable sources.
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation:
- You can cancel a flight or vacation package within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to the original payment method, provided the departure date is at least 7 days (168 hours) away. This applies to all fare types and bookings made directly through sunwing.ca, the Sunwing app, call centers, or ticket offices, per U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Canadian regulations.
After 24 Hours:
Standard Cancellation Policy:
- Flight-Only Bookings: No cancellations are permitted after the reservation is ticketed (i.e., once payment is processed and the ticket is issued). If canceled 21 days or more before departure, a $250 USD cancellation fee per passenger applies, and no refund is issued for the remaining fare. If canceled 20 days or less before departure, no refund is permitted, and a 100% cancellation fee applies (full fare forfeited).
- No-Show: A 100% cancellation fee applies, with no refund or credit issued.
- Sunwing does not offer rebooking or future travel credits for cancellations after 24 hours, except with specific insurance plans.
Vacation Packages:
- Cancellations 45 days or more before departure incur no cancellation fee, but non-refunded deposits (required to hold bookings) are forfeited. The deposit amount varies by product and is noted on your invoice.
- Cancellations 44 days or less before departure may incur additional fees based on supplier terms (e.g., hotels, excursions), and all departure taxes and travel-related fees are non-refunded.
- If purchased, the Worry Free or Worry Free Plus plan allows cancellations up to 3 hours before departure for a Future Travel Voucher (valid for 1 year from purchase, non-transferable, no cash value). These plans must be purchased within 48 hours of booking and cost $49 per person (under age 74) or $79 per person (age 75+). A $20 surcharge applies for southbound departures from December 19 to January 5.
Group Bookings: The 24-hour policy and Worry Free plans do not apply to group bookings (10+ passengers), which follow separate contract terms.
Special Circumstances:
- Airline-Canceled Flights:
- If Sunwing cancels a flight due to reasons within their control (e.g., aircraft issues, crew constraints), you’re entitled to a full refund (including non-refunded fares) or rebooking on the next available Sunwing flight. Per Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), large airlines like Sunwing must rebook within 48 hours or book you on another carrier. Recent CBC reports (March 2025) note Sunwing’s failure to comply, with passengers stranded for days without rebooking offers.
- For EU/UK departures or arrivals, EC 261/UK 261 regulations may provide up to €600 ($650) in compensation for cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice, unless caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, airport closures).
- Delays: For delays over 2 hours, APPR entitles you to meals and communication; for delays over 3 hours at the destination due to carrier reasons, you may cancel for a refund or claim compensation ($400–$1,000 CAD, depending on delay length). EU/UK routes may qualify for EC 261 compensation (€250–€600).
- Medical or Extenuating Circumstances: Full refunds may be granted for bereavement within 30 days of departure, with a death certificate. Other emergencies (e.g., serious illness) require documentation and review by customer service. The Worry Free plan covers pre-existing conditions like cancer, unlike many credit card insurance plans.
- Weather-Related Cancellations: For disruptions like winter storms (e.g., February 2025 advisories for Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa), Sunwing offers fee-free refunds or rebooking but no compensation. Recent advisories include Toronto Pearson closures and snowfall in Quebec.
