How to Get a Full Refund on Cancelled or Delayed Flights in India
Indian airlines cancelled over 1.2 lakh flights in 2024 alone. DGCA rules give you a full refund within 7 days for airline-initiated cancellations — yet most passengers settle for vouchers or rescheduling. Here's what you're actually owed.
DGCA Rules: What Airlines Must Do
For Airline-Cancelled Flights
- Full refund of the ticket price within 7 working days — no exceptions
- If informed less than 24 hours before departure: alternate flight + meals/refreshments
- If you choose not to travel due to cancellation: full refund including taxes and fuel surcharge
For Delayed Flights
| Delay Duration | What You Are Owed |
|---|---|
| 2+ hours | Meals and refreshments |
| 3+ hours | Refreshments + alternate flight or full refund (your choice) |
| 6+ hours (notified <24 hrs before) | Hotel accommodation + transfers + full refund or alternate flight |
| Flight cancelled within 2 weeks of departure | Compensation ₹5,000–₹10,000 depending on ticket price |
Denied Boarding (Overbooking)
If you are denied boarding despite a confirmed ticket and checking in on time, you are entitled to:
- Alternate flight of your choice
- Compensation: ₹10,000 for flights under 1 hour; ₹20,000 for longer flights
- Full refund if you choose not to fly
Step 1 — Demand the Refund at the Airport
Don't leave the airport without getting a written acknowledgment of the cancellation/delay, the reason given, and the refund or compensation promised. Ask the airline desk for a Disruption Certificate. Take photos of departure boards showing the cancellation.
Step 2 — Submit a Refund Request Within 24 Hours
Log in to the airline's website and submit a refund request through their portal. Keep the confirmation email and ticket ID. Airlines commonly delay this — your 7-day clock starts from the date of cancellation, not when you file the request.
Step 3 — Escalate to AirSewa
If the airline doesn't refund within 7 days, file on airsewa.gov.in (DGCA's official grievance portal). You'll get a complaint number. Airlines are legally bound to respond within 30 days. DGCA can impose fines for non-compliance.
Step 4 — File with DGCA Directly
Email dgca-complaints@nic.in with your booking ID, disruption certificate, and proof of failed refund. Title your email: "Refund Non-Compliance — [Airline Name] — Booking [ID]."
Step 5 — Consumer Forum or Civil Court
For unresolved refunds, file at your DCDRC. Airlines have been penalised ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 for wilful non-refund in Consumer Forum cases. You can claim:
- Full ticket amount
- Alternate transport costs incurred
- Hotel costs due to stranding
- Mental harassment and litigation costs
What Airlines Cannot Do
- Force you to accept travel vouchers instead of a cash refund
- Charge cancellation fees on their cancellation (zero cancellation fee applies)
- Delay refund beyond 7 working days without penalty
- Deny boarding to a confirmed, checked-in passenger without compensation
Airline Complaint Portals
- IndiGo: customer.relations@goindigo.in
- Air India: customer.feedback@airindia.in
- SpiceJet: customersupport@spicejet.com
- Vistara/Air India Express: feedback@airindia.in
- DGCA AirSewa: airsewa.gov.in