logo logo

Air India’s flight cancellation policy you must know before you make your booking, even from a third-party travel agent, including basic rules and recent unusual abandonment. Please note policies may vary slightly by booking channel or fare type, so it’s best to check your ticket conditions and manage booking via Air India’s website or app. 

Standard Cancellation

24‑Hour Free Cancellation Window: A terrific scheme by Air India to offer a 24-hour reliable cancellation on all international and domestic flights. Air India offers a full refund with no cancellation charge within 24 hours of booking. And the timing between departure and cancellation must be at least seven days away. This policy lineup is among the global industry standards and is also profitable if you change travel plans right after booking.

What Happens After 24 Hours? (Fare Family Rules)

Air India presents cancellation charges according to fare type (Value, Classic, or Flex), time duration between departure and cancellation, and the cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class). 

Domestic Flight:

Economy – (Value Fare Type): Only taxes are refundable.

Economy – (Classic Fare Type): If cancellation is done 72 hours before departure, an INR 2,500 fee; and if cancellation is requested within 72 hours, an INR 3,500 fee.

Economy – (Flex Fare Type): If cancellation is requested before 72 hours, then there is no fee; INR 2,500 has to be paid if cancelled within 72 hours.

Premium Economy – Classic: INR 2,500 if cancellation is made before 48 hours, or after 48 hours, the fee is INR 3,500.

Premium Economy – Flex: No fee before 48 hours, but after 48 hours, the fee is INR 2,500.

Business – Classic: Whenever the cancellation request proceeds, INR 3,500 will be deducted.

Business – Flex / First Class: No fee if cancelled 24 hours before flight, and INR 2,500 if cancellation happens within 24 hours.

International Flight:

Rules are similar, but cancellation fees are different. In International departure, cancellation penalties are usually 20–30% of the fare. If cancellation happens very close to departure, higher percentages of penalties apply.

No-Show Policy:

No fare will be refunded in the case of cancellation done 2 hours before departure, or if you miss the flight. Only taxes will be refunded. 

Refund Process & Timelines

Refunds requested can be eligible up to 2 years from ticket issuing. And during 7-10 business days, mainly Air India processes refunds if the fare is refundable. But some non-refundable or Refunds of taxes may take a longer time.

Special Waivers & Exceptions (2025 Updates)

Sometimes, free rescheduling and a full refund are offered by Air India during unpredictable events:

Ahmedabad Crash (June 2025): Travellers scheduled for June 12–14 could easily reschedule or cancel without incurring additional fees.

Operation Sindoor: (May 2025) offered special free cancellation or date change for reservations made on or before May 8, 2025, involving specific airports like Srinagar and Amritsar. Defence personnel have until June 30, 2025, to reschedule or cancel at no cost.

Things You Must Know Before You Cancel

Before you apply for a refund request, make sure to check your fare family (value, classic, or flex), which is mentioned on your e-ticket or flight booking confirmation. Visit the official website or app to manage bookings of Air India, so check the cancellation policy. Suppose some unexpected events happen during your booking dates. Connect with the support team of Air India to get better solutions or benefits. You can directly submit your refund request online for a faster procedure.

 

Suggested Read: Air India Baggage Policy in 2025: Know Your Limits & Avoid Extra Charges

Air India Flight Cancellation Policy- FAQs

1. Can I cancel my Air India flight within 24 hours for a full refund?

Yes. If you booked directly with Air India and your departure is at least 7 days away, you can cancel within 24 hours of Booking and get a full refund without any cancellation fee.

2. How much does it cost to cancel after 24 hours?

For domestic Classic fares, for example, the fee is usually INR 2,500 if you cancel more than 72 hours before departure; it increases if cancelled closer to departure. International flights often charge around 20–30% of the fare.

3. What is the Air India no‑show policy?

If you cancel your ticket within two hours after departure or simply miss your flight, you'll usually get only the government taxes back; the fare itself is non‑refundable.

4. What is Air India's flight cancellation policy?

Air India allows passengers to cancel their bookings online or offline. The cancellation charges depend on the fare type, route, and time of cancellation. For most refundable tickets, a cancellation fee is deducted, while non-refundable tickets may only be eligible for tax refunds.

5. Can I cancel an Air India ticket booked through a travel agency or third-party website?

Yes, but you must contact the travel agency or third-party platform directly for cancellation and refund processing. Air India may not process such requests directly.

6. What if Air India cancels my flight?

If Air India cancels your flight due to operational reasons, you are entitled to a full refund or a free rebooking on the next available flight.

7. Can I reschedule instead of cancelling?

Yes! You can often change your flight date or time by paying a rebooking fee + any fare difference. Flex fares usually allow changes with lower or no fees; Value fares have stricter change penalties.

8. How long do Air India refunds take?

For refundable tickets: Typically 7–10 business days Taxes on non‑refundable tickets or exceptional cases might take slightly longer. If you booked through a travel agent, your refund might take extra time based on their process.

9. What happens if I miss my Air India flight?

If you miss your flight without cancelling it in advance (a "no-show"), you may lose the entire fare amount. Some fare types allow a partial refund after deducting a no-show fee, but this varies by booking class and route.

10. Where can I check the latest cancellation charges?

Visit Air India's official website for Fare Rules, log in to Manage Booking for your ticket‑specific rules, or call Air India customer support.

11. Are cancellation charges different for domestic and international flights?

Yes, Domestic: Usually fixed amounts (e.g., INR 2,500 or INR 3,500) based on fare family and how close to departure you cancel International: Often a percentage of fare (around 20–30%) rather than a flat fee

12. How do I know if a special waiver applies to my flight?

Air India announces waivers on: Their website (News / Alerts section), Social media channels, Via SMS or email for impacted passengers, and if you're unsure, call customer care or check your Booking online

13. How can I cancel my Air India flight ticket?

You can cancel your Air India ticket in the following ways: Through the official website or mobile app, by calling Air India customer care or visiting the Air India booking office or travel agency (if booked offline)

14. Can I partially cancel a booking with multiple passengers?

Yes, in most cases, you can select specific passengers in the Manage Booking section and cancel only for them — subject to the fare rules that apply individually.

15. Where can I track my refund status?

Log in to Air India's website → Request Refund / Refund Status. Use your booking reference and last name. You can also call customer service for updates.