Air India Flight Cancellation Policy

Air travel plans can sometimes change, and knowing the ins and outs of the Air India flight cancellation policy can be a valuable asset. Here, we’ll walk you through the key aspects of Air India’s cancellation and refund policies, including some recent updates.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Under the following circumstances, you may cancel your reservation with Air India and get a full refund:

• If you purchase a flight with Air India and decide to change your plans, you can do so within 24 hours of purchasing your ticket and get a full refund provided your trip’s departure is at least 7 days away.
• If Air India cancels your flight, you have the right to either opt for the alternative flight offered to you or ask for a full refund.
• If your Air India flight within India is delayed by 6 hours or more, you have the option to ask for a full refund or take the alternative flight offered to you.
• If your Air India flight is delayed, causing you to miss a connecting flight on the same booking, you can either opt for the alternative connecting flight offered to you or ask for a full refund.
• Air India must provide you with another flight that departs within an hour of the original flight on which you were denied boarding if you are denied boarding due to overbooking. If Air India is unable to do so, you are within your rights to ask for a full refund plus compensation of up to INR 20,000 if you do not opt for the alternative flight offered to you.

Air India’s 24-Hour Cancellation Policy for the United States

In accordance with Air India’s 24-hour cancellation policy, you can cancel your flight reservation and receive a full refund if you purchase a direct flight to or from the United States from Air India at least 7 days prior to departure.

All tickets, even those that are non-refundable, are subject to the 24-hour cancellation policy. However, you need to get in touch with the travel agent directly if you bought your ticket from one.

You could be required to pay a cancellation charge or penalty if you need to change your flight within 7 days of the scheduled departure. The cancellation penalty will depend on the type of ticket you have purchased and may range from USD 200–300. Certain types of fares, such as award and promotional fares, may be non-refundable.

International Flights: Air India Cancellation Policy Due to COVID-19

You have until March 31 to cancel your ticket and receive a fee-free refund if your overseas trip was impacted by a COVID-19 circumstance, or you can alter your itinerary and postpone your departure date without incurring fees until December 31.

You can cancel your flight and ask for a refund on a confirmed ticket booked on any of the flights listed below:

• Flights with a travel date between March 15 and March 31 were disrupted due to cancellation on account of COVID-19 or changes in the destination country’s visa regulations on account of COVID-19.
• The Bureau of Immigration, India, stopped flights from March 13 (March 10 for flights from France), preventing OCI card holders and foreigners (non-Indians) from traveling to India until the suspension was lifted.

Validity of Refunds: The tickets stated above have a March 31 deadline for requests for refunds. This implies that you have until March 31 to get a refund for the aforementioned tickets.

Air India’s Country-Specific Travel Waivers

Air India Travel Waiver Between India and the United States

Applies to passengers with confirmed tickets issued before May 4, with a travel date after May 4, until the relaxation of entry requirements. If your flight is planned after May 4, you can reschedule it without incurring any fees.

Between India and the UAE, Air India Travel Waiver

Applies to passengers other than UAE nationals and exempted category passengers holding India – UAE tickets with a travel date of August 7. You can cancel your flight without penalty within your ticket’s validity period. (With one exception: A one-way ticket from the UAE to India is not included.)

Between India and Germany, Air India Travel Waiver

This applies to all confirmed tickets for India – Germany flights having a travel date after April 26, until the travel restrictions are relaxed. You are not charged if you change your flight.

Travel Waiver for Air India Between India and Oman

This applies to all tickets for India – Muscat flights issued before April 21, with a travel date after April 24 (1800 hours), until the travel restrictions are relaxed. You are not charged if you change your flight.

Travel Exemption for Air India Between Canada and India

Applies to all tickets for India – Vancouver/Toronto flights with a travel date between April 23 and May 23, due to the COVID situation in India. You are not charged if you change your flight.

Air India Travel Waiver Between India and the United Kingdom

This applies to all tickets for India – UK flights issued before April 23, until the flights are resumed. You can cancel your flight without penalty.

Air India Cancellation Charges

What are the Air India cancellation charges for domestic tickets?

Travel Class	RBD*/ Booking Class	Cancellation Fee	No-Show Fee
First Class	F, A	Zero (till 2 hours prior to departure).	INR 3,000 or Basic Fare (less than two hours before departure), whichever is lowest.
Business Class	C, D, J	Zero (till 2 hours prior to departure).	INR 3,000 or Basic Fare (less than two hours before departure), whichever is lowest.
Z	INR 4,000 or Basic Fare, whichever is lower (till 12 hours prior to departure).	INR 5,000 or Basic Fare (less than 12hours before departure), whichever is lowest.
Economy Class	Y, B, M	Zero (till 2 hours prior to departure).	INR 3,000 or Basic Fare (less than two hours before departure), whichever is lowest.
H, K, Q, V, W, G, L, U	INR 3,000 or Basic Fare, whichever is lower (till 2 hours prior to departure).	Non-refundable (the Basic fare will be lost if cancelled less than two hours before departure).
T, S	INR 3,000 or Basic Fare, whichever is lower (till 12 hours prior to departure). If less than 12 hours prior to departure, the Basic Fare will be forfeited.	Non-refundable (the Basic fare will be lost if cancelled less than 12 hours before departure).
Note: You will be charged GST (Goods and Service Tax) as per the following details: 5% for Economy Class, 12% for Business and First Class.

Air India Refund Policy and Rules

To initiate a refund for a partially or fully unused ticket, apply within 15 months from the issue date, up to 3 months after the ticket expires. Ensure your refund request includes passenger details, address, phone number, email, ticket and flight numbers, and the credit card used for payment. Cash refunds are issued by check, while debit/credit card refunds are returned to the original account.

Redemption Bookings must be made through the Air India Call Center. Most refunds are processed promptly, but credit card refunds may take up to 20 days.

Modifications and Cancellations

For direct bookings with Air India:

• Modify or cancel unused tickets online via My Booking.
• Utilize the Air India Call Center or phone services.
• Collaborate with your ticket-purchasing travel agent for changes.

Online refunds are feasible up to 48 hours before departure. If rebooking costs more than your original flight, cover the fare difference. If available, opt for the same payment method.

For Call Center-assisted or partially utilized tickets, seek assistance from Air India. Modifying or canceling a PNR with multiple passengers affects all bookings. Contact the Air India Call Center for such cases.

Ticket Endorsement and Refunds

Only the ticket-issuing authority processes refunds. If your ticket came through a travel agent, they handle the refund. Open tickets undergo endorsement via an Air India office or travel agent, but not online. Partially used tickets, especially heavily discounted ones, are often non-refundable.

How to Cancel a Flight Reservation with Air India

You may revoke your reservation for an Air India flight:

• By phone or an Air India Call Center
• If you bought your ticket straight from Air India online
• Through your travel agent

How can I cancel an Air India ticket online?

The only way to cancel a flight online is if you purchased your ticket straight from Air India.

To cancel your Air India ticket online:

• Go to Air India.in
• From Manage Your Trip, select Manage Booking
• The PNR or ticket number you submitted, and your last name
• Click on the Retrieve Booking button
• Follow the prompts to select your flight and cancel it

An email confirming your cancellation will be sent to you when you cancel your flight. You must speak with the travel agency directly if you need to change a flight that was booked through them.

Air India Ticket Cancellation and Rebooking

How to electronically change and cancel your Air India reservation

You can cancel and rebook your ticket online if you bought it straight from Air India.

Follow the procedures listed below to cancel and rebook your Air India reservation:

• Go to www.AirIndia.in
• Select the Manage Booking option from Manage Your Trip
• Your last name and the booking reference, PNR, or ticket number are required.
• Hit the Retrieve Booking button
• Cancel your flight
• Go back to www.AirIndia.in
• Enter your new trip requirements
• Click on the Book Now button
• To choose your new flight, adhere to the on-screen instructions.

As soon as you make a payment, your new e-ticket will be sent to you through email.

Call below given numbers of Air India customer service office if you have any inquiries.

Request Refund (New Policy – Issued after May 25, 2022)

If your ticket was issued after May 25, 2022, head to manage booking to request a refund. For a refund of tickets issued by the Air India city booking or airport office, please get in touch with your nearest Air India reservation office. If you bought the ticket from a travel agent or any other online portal, please contact the respective agent’s office for a refund.

Domestic Cancellation and Change Penalties

In all flying classes, there are different cancellation fees and change penalties. The penalty for changes and cancellations for different flying classes are as follows:

• Change: A modification was made to the itinerary. A modification to the flight number, destination, or date of arrival or departure.
• Cancellation: if the traveler cancels the reservation.
• No Show: if the traveler doesn’t modify or cancel the reservation. Depending on how much time passes until the guests cancel their reservation, a fee is assessed.

Cabin	Economy	Premium Economy	Business	First
Brand	Comfort	Comfort Plus	Flex	Comfort Plus
Change fee	₹ 3,000	> 72 hrs = Free	Free	> 72 hrs = Free
within 72 hrs = ₹3000	within 72 hrs = ₹2000
Cancellation Fee	Only taxes refundable	> 72 hrs = ₹2500	> 72 hrs = Free	> 72 hrs = ₹2500
within 72 hrs = ₹3500	within 72 hrs = ₹2500	within 72 hrs = ₹3500	within 48 hrs = ₹2500	within 24 hrs = ₹2500
No show window	2hrs	2hrs	2hrs	2hrs
Within No-show window: No Show+ Refund fee	Only taxes refundable	Only taxes refundable	₹ 6,500	Only taxes refundable
Within No-show window: No Show+ Change fee	Not permitted	₹ 5,000	₹ 4,000	₹ 6,000
*Taxes that are non-refundable will be reimbursed back to the source.

In case of a no-show, both a no-show and cancellation/change penalty will apply.

This comprehensive guide to Air India’s cancellation and refund policies should help you navigate the process with confidence. Remember to check the specific terms and conditions related to your ticket, as they may vary based on factors such as your booking class and the date of issuance.

Air India Customer Care Contacts

If you require assistance or have inquiries, don’t hesitate to reach out to Air India’s customer care services:

India Customer Care (24×7)

• Call: 0124 264 1407 or 020-26231407
• Call: 1860 233 1407* (*Rates apply)

International Customer Care (24×7)

• Call: +91 124 264 1407 or +91 202 623 1407 (International call rates apply)

Global Contact Centres

USA

• Call: +1 – 888 634 1407 (Toll-Free)

Canada

• Call: +1 – 888 634 1407 (Toll-Free)

UK

• Call: +44 – 0800 048 9254 (Toll-Free)

Australia

• Call: +61 – 3 701 98270 (Toll-Free)

France

• Call: +33 – 1 874 06644

Germany

• Call: +49 – 6925511337

Singapore

• Call: +65 – 800 101 4016 (Toll-Free)

Feel free to contact them for any assistance you might need for Flight Expert Support.

Note:

• Within 48 hours of the departure date, online refunds are not possible.
• Bookings canceled or modified through a Call Center or Air India Reservations office cannot be canceled or modified again.
• Canceling or modifying a single PNR (booking) with multiple passengers will result in the modification or cancellation of all the passengers’ bookings on the list. In other words, a booking that incorporates numerous bookings cannot be modified to accommodate a single person.
• Within two years after the issue date, a ticket may be reimbursed.

Frequently Asked Questions