01
Refund and re-routing are alternatives
Where UK261 or EU261 applies, the operating airline must generally offer a choice between reimbursement and re-routing at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing later at the passenger's convenience subject to seat availability. The exact options depend on the journey and booking.
Once a passenger chooses reimbursement, the airline is not normally required to carry them to the destination. Record what was offered before buying replacement transport.
02
Care can continue during re-routing
Meals, refreshments, communication and hotel accommodation may be due while a passenger waits for the replacement flight. Extraordinary circumstances can affect fixed compensation but do not automatically remove care duties.
03
Notice and alternative timings matter
Fixed compensation may be possible when cancellation notice arrives less than 14 days before departure, but the airline may avoid compensation if it offered qualifying re-routing close enough to the original schedule or proves extraordinary circumstances and reasonable measures.
Save the original itinerary, cancellation notice and replacement itinerary. Small differences in notice dates and departure or arrival times can change the result.
04
Treat the checked bag as a separate recovery file
If the flight is cancelled and a checked bag is not returned, ask the airline where and when it will release or forward the bag. Create a PIR or baggage report if the carrier treats it as delayed.
Any flight-rights claim remains separate from Montreal Convention baggage liability. A flight payment does not automatically settle the baggage claim.