TAAG Angola Airlines (DT), the state-owned flag carrier of Angola, has a 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.
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation:
- You can cancel any TAAG flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to the original payment method, provided the flight departs at least 7 days (168 hours) later, per U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) rules for U.S. bookings. This applies to all fare types (Economy, Business, First) booked directly through taag.com, the TAAG mobile app, or customer service.
- Exceptions: Group bookings (10+ passengers), promotional fares, or tickets booked with miles or vouchers may not qualify.
After 24 Hours:
- Refundable Fares: Fully refundable tickets (e.g., certain Business or First Class fares) can be canceled with no fee, with the full amount refunded to the original payment method, subject to fare rules.
- Non-Refundable Fares: Most Economy fares are non-refunded after 24 hours, except for taxes and fees. Cancellations incur a fee (typically $100–$200 USD, depending on fare type, route, and timing). If canceled within 7 days of travel, the fee may be higher, and no refund or credit is issued if the fee exceeds the ticket value.
- Cancellation Deadline: Cancellations must be made at least 1 hour before departure to be eligible for any refund or credit.
- No-Show Policy: Failing to cancel before departure forfeits the entire ticket value, with no refund or credit, even for taxes. Written notification (e.g., email with booking number) is required for any refund eligibility.
- Travel Credits: When applicable, non-refunded fares may be converted to a Future Travel Voucher (validity not specified, typically 1 year), minus the cancellation fee. Vouchers are non-transferable.
Cancellation Process:
- Phone: Call TAAG’s customer service at +1-877-240-6770. A service fee may apply for phone cancellations.
- In-Person: Visit a TAAG ticket counter or kiosk at the airport (e.g., Quatro de Fevereiro Airport, LAD) with booking details.
- Refunds are credited to the original payment method within 7–10 business days, but customer feedback indicates delays up to 60 days. Vouchers are issued instantly via email or the TAAG account.
Special Circumstances:
- Airline-Canceled Flights:
- If TAAG cancels a flight due to reasons within their control (e.g., technical issues), you’re entitled to a full refund (including non-refunded fares) or rebooking on the next available TAAG flight. If no flight is available, TAAG may arrange accommodation near the airport.
- For EU departures (e.g., Lisbon), EC 261 regulations apply, offering up to €600 ($650) in compensation for cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice, unless caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, strikes). Compensation varies by distance: €250 (≤1,500 km), €400 (1,500–3,500 km), €600 (>3,500 km). Non-EU flights (e.g., Luanda to Brazil) are not covered by EC 261.
- Delays: For delays over 3 hours at the destination due to TAAG’s control on EU departures, you may cancel for a refund or claim EC 261 compensation (€250–€600). No compensation applies for non-EU flights or extraordinary circumstances.
- Weather-Related Cancellations: TAAG offers fee-free refunds or rebooking for weather-related disruptions, but no compensation is provided.
- Overbooking: If denied boarding due to overbooking, you may claim up to €600 under EC 261 for EU departures, plus a refund or rebooking.
Additional Notes:
- Operational Context: TAAG operates 29 destinations from Luanda (LAD), with a fleet including Boeing 777s and Dash 8s. Recent AirHelp data shows a low on-time rate (8.11%–42.11%) and a 4.84%–5.21% cancellation rate for domestic and international flights, indicating reliability challenges.
- Travel Insurance: Given the restrictive policy and reported delays, purchasing travel insurance with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is recommended for flexibility.
