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Flight cancelled, now what?
If the airline cancelled your flight, you are entitled to a full refund. If you cancelled the flight, the outcome depends on your fare type, how early you acted, and airline’s refund policy.
Get it wrong and you could end up with a travel credit you may never use, or a refund that is smaller than it should be.
Here is how flight refunds work, when you are entitled to your money back, and how to claim the full amount you are owed.
| Situation | Full Refund? |
| Airline cancels your flight | Yes |
| Significant schedule change (3+ hours) | Yes |
| You cancel within 24 hours of booking | Yes |
| Refundable ticket | Yes |
| Non-refundable ticket | No (credit possible) |
| Basic economy fare | Rarely |
| Travel insurance claim | Depends on policy |
You are entitled to a full refund when the airline cancels your flight. Not a voucher, not a credit, cash back to your original payment method. A voucher is only acceptable if you choose it.
The same applies when the airline:
In Canada, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) split disruptions into two categories:
Controllable cancellations: Crew scheduling, maintenance, and commercial decisions. You get a full refund plus financial compensation up to CAD $1,000 for large airlines.
Uncontrollable cancellations: Weather, air traffic control, and safety issues. You are still entitled to rebooking or a refund, but compensation thresholds are lower.
When the airline offers a voucher first, that is not your only option. Ask for cash. You are allowed to.
The refund you get depends almost entirely on the fare you purchased.
Refundable tickets: Simple. Cancel anytime before departure, get your money back without any service fees. These tickets cost more upfront for exactly this reason.
Non-refundable tickets: The name is slightly misleading. You may still get a travel credit or voucher, but cash refunds are rare unless you cancel within the 24 hour window or buy travel insurance.
Basic economy and sale fares: The most restrictive. Many don’t allow changes at all, let alone refunds. Always read the fare rules before you book, especially on cheap flights from Calgary to Mumbai or any international route where fare conditions vary significantly by airline.
Most major airlines in Canada follow a similar 24 hour policy as a standard practice, but it is not universally mandated in the same way. Check your airline’s specific policy at the time of booking.
If you need to cancel your flight, do it within 24 hours of booking whenever possible. That window gives you the best chance of a full refund regardless of fare type.
If there is any chance your plans might change, a refundable flight ticket is worth the extra cost.
Refundable tickets cost more than standard tickets upfront but they give you an exit if your plans change. Whether that premium is worth it depends on how likely you are to modify or cancel your trip. On flights from Canada to India, where a lot can change between booking and departure, the flexibility usually pays for itself.
Some airlines also offer flexible or changeable fares that allow date changes without full cancellation. These sit between basic economy and fully refundable tickets in both price and flexibility.
This is the question airlines answer least clearly.
In general:
If your refund is taking longer than 30 days, follow up directly with the airline in writing. Under APPR, Canadian carriers have specific obligations around refund timelines for controllable cancellations.
When you book a flight through a travel agency, refund requests typically go through that agency first, not directly to the airline. The agency then processes the request with the airline on your behalf.
At Tripbeam, refund requests are handled directly by our support team. If your flight is cancelled or you need to cancel your booking on routes like Toronto to Delhi, Vancouver to Delhi, or Calgary to Mumbai, contact Tripbeam.ca as soon as possible. The earlier you raise a cancellation, the more choices you have.
Avoid contacting the airline directly when you’ve booked through an agency. This can complicate the refund process and slow things down.
Refund rules favour the traveller more than airlines like to admit but only if you know them. Book the best fare for your situation, act quickly when plans change, and don’t accept a voucher when cash is what you’re owed.
Need help with a cancellation or want to book a flexible fare on a Canada–India route? Talk to the Tripbeam team — we’re available 24/7.
A) Yes, you can get a full refund but in the form of a travel credit, not in cash. The exception is if you cancel within 24 hours of booking or if the airline makes a schedule change.
A) Most airlines in Canada offer a 24 hour cancellation window where you can cancel for a full refund, provided the flight departs at least 7 days out. Check your specific airline’s policy as this is not uniformly legislated in Canada the way it is in the US.
A) The airline refunds can take 7 to 20 business days for credit card payments. If it has been over 30 days, follow up in writing with your airline or your booking platform.
A) You are entitled to a full refund to your original payment method. You can also choose to rebook at no extra charge. Do not feel pressured to accept a voucher if you want cash back.
A) Yes. Contact Tripbeam support team as soon as you need to cancel. A travel agent handle the process directly with the airline on your behalf.
A) Yes, but the rules depend on your fare type and who initiates the cancellation. Refundable international fares can be cancelled for cash back at any point before departure. Non refundable fares typically result in a travel credit. If the airline cancels, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of fare type.
A) Not always. Some airlines process refunds automatically, others require you to submit a request. If your flight was cancelled by the airline and you haven't heard back within 7 days, follow up directly — or contact your booking platform if you didn’t book direct.
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