Can you get your plane ticket refunded if you miss or cancel your flight?

Verified 29 December 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You cannot be reimbursed for your ticket if you missed your flight.

Examples:

  • You missed the take-off because of a delay in transportation
  • You didn't have good travel documents (passport, etc.) and you were unable to board
  • You missed a flight due to security screening delays
  • You did not respect the boarding time of the flight
  • You were forced to cancel your flight (medical, professional, etc.)

FYI  

Review the general conditions of sale of the ticket, they can provide a refund if you cancel your trip. Also check if you have subscribed insurance that covers you for this risk.

You can get the refund of taxes the following are included in the ticket price:

  • Airport tax (indicated by letters) QW on your ticket)
  • Passenger charge (indicated by letters) QX on your ticket)

Other taxes (fuel surcharge and security, solidarity...) are not refundable.

Send your refund request to the ticket seller (airline or travel agency).

On the Internet

Check the ticket vendor's website if you can claim the refund online.

No fee is not due if you file your application online.

Reimbursement may be made by one of the following means:

  • Wire Transfer (plan a RIB: titleContent)
  • Check
  • Credit on your credit card

Reimbursement must be made within 30 free days from the date of receipt of the request.

Free and 30 days apply if you booked your ticket in theone of the following conditions:

  • By a French intermediary
  • By a European intermediary who addresses the French (website in French, en .fr, or offering French means of payment)
By mail

You can also send your refund request (with a copy of the unused ticket) by post RAR: titleContent to the seller.

In this case, the seller may charge you reimbursement costs up to 20% the amount of the request.

A sample letter is available:

Claim airport tax and passenger charge refund

Reimbursement may be made by one of the following means:

  • Wire Transfer (plan a RIB: titleContent)
  • Check
  • Credit on your credit card

Reimbursement must be made within 30 free days from the date of receipt of the request.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • 0809 540 550 DGCCRF - ResponseConso

    Having trouble following a purchase? Do you have a question about a point of law before buying or ordering?

    You can get an answer from a DGCCRF: titleContent by calling the 0809 540 550.

    Opening hours of the service:

    No surtax number

    • Monday and Tuesday: from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:15 pm to 5:15 pm
    • Wednesday: 13:15 to 17:15
    • Thursday: from 8:30 to 12:30
    • Friday: from 8:30 am to 4 pm