Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation?
An unforeseen event like this can cause significant chaos, particularly if you have upcoming flights or other travel plans. However, there is a silver lining: both EU/UK law and American Airlines flight cancellation policy provide certain protections for select flights. These regulations have been in place for over a decade, which means that when American Airlines cancels your flight, they are obligated to take care of you and find a suitable solution.
This law applies to American Airlines flights departing from Europe.
1. American Airlines Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation?
With American Airlines, you are entitled to specific rights.
American Airlines is not an EU airline. And EU regulations do not cover all its flights. Yet, here’s a piece of encouraging news! If your departure is from any European airport (including UK airports), you can claim protections under EU law, specifically Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. You can feel assured that your rights are defended in such situations.
- If the flight cancellation results in a prolonged wait at the airport, you have the right to care. For example, if the delay extends to 3 hours, you should receive a meal voucher. If it turns into an overnight stay, you should be given free hotel accommodation and transfers.
- If you decide not to accept the replacement flight offered, you qualify for a full refund from American Airlines. You have the choice to receive this refund either transferred to your bank account or as an American Airlines voucher.
- Assuming it’s a last-minute flight cancellation (that is, a flight cancelled within 2 weeks of the original departure date), and if it’s due to American Airlines’ fault, you can demand flight cancellation compensation from American Airlines.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a cancellation on your American Airlines flight, you could be eligible for compensation. Please look at our American Airlines missed connection compensation guide for additional information.
In summary, the guidelines are similar to those for flight delays. You need to determine how much later you reach your destination compared to your original arrival time.
These compensation rules apply to American Airlines flights from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
Depending on where you are when the last-minute flight cancellation happens, will determine what steps you should take. If you were still at home, your answer would be quite different from that of someone who is already at the airport.
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
If you happen to be at home or your hotel when you are informed of your flight’s cancellation, it’s best to stay put until further instructions are given. You should get in touch with American Airlines’ customer service to find out what you should do next.
Depending on the availability of flights, American Airlines may assist and go over your alternatives, which can include travelling later that day or the next. Remember that you may also ask for a full refund if you decide not to fly, or you can request a ticket from a different airline.
Flight cancellation compensation may be available from the airline if your flight is cancelled as a result of the carrier’s fault.
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
It is advisable to delay going through airport security if you are already at the airport when you find out about the cancellation. You will get a new flight ticket (free of charge), and in addition to checking in again and getting a new boarding card, you will also need to check in any checked luggage again.
If you’ve cleared the security check, attempt to return to the public access section (landside area) of the airport.
To find out what to do next, you must speak with American Airlines staff at the airport. They’ll be ready to assist. You have the right to care, remember that.
Flight cancellation compensation may be available from the airline if your flight is cancelled as a result of the carrier’s fault.
3. American Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
If you had a last-minute flight cancellation, is there any way to get your money back?
The UK/EU has established precise rules for flight compensation. If your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the planned departure date, it is considered a last-minute flight cancellation, and you may qualify for compensation.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- If you choose a substitute flight provided by American Airlines, that departs no later than 2 hours before the original time and arrives at your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time, you are not eligible for compensation.
- In all other situations, you may receive compensation.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled departure time:
- If you accept a replacement flight provided by American Airlines, that leaves no later than 1 hour before the original time and reaches your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this scenario, you will not be due compensation.
- In all other scenarios, you may receive compensation.
Conditions to claim compensation:
- Flight is cancelled due to an issue within American Airlines’ control;
- The flight originates from Europe;
- Flight is cancelled at the last minute (less than 14 days before departure).
Read more: American Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
As American Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to American Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
4. American Airlines Flight Cancellation Refund
In case American Airlines cancels your flight, you have the option of either accepting a substitute flight offer or a full refund. The choice of a refund allows you to have the amount credited to your bank account, or you can ask it to be given as an American Airlines voucher.
This choice depends on what is most convenient for your travel requirements.
American Airlines usually processes refunds within 7 days.
It is crucial to note that in UK/EU air passenger rights law, the right to a refund and the right to compensation are distinct. Even if you choose a refund, you may still be eligible for compensation, depending on the circumstances of your flight cancellation, as explained above.
Read more: Why is Your American Airlines Refund Taking Forever? Here’s What You Can Do
4.1 What Happens When You Cancel a Flight?
If you, as the passenger, choose to cancel your flight, the terms for a refund may differ.
Broadly, American Airlines’ refund policies depend on the ticket you have purchased.
Fully flexible tickets are generally refundable, while budget tickets with minimal flexibility may not qualify for refunds. It is always recommended to check the specific conditions of your ticket or contact American Airlines’ customer service for additional information.
If you have travel insurance that covers flight cancellations, you may be eligible to claim a refund using this method.
5. How to Claim American Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation and Cancellation Refund?
If you want a refund for your ticket, you can do this by navigating to your booking in the “Manage Booking” section. The refund will be processed using the same payment method you used when you booked your ticket.
So, how do you claim compensation for a cancelled flight?
If your flight is cancelled, you may be eligible for compensation from American Airlines. The first and most crucial step is to file a claim. Without filing a claim, you won’t receive any compensation. To initiate your claim process, you can contact American Airlines’ customer service.
Remember, claiming compensation is a right and you are not obliged to accept travel vouchers as an alternative. According to EC Regulation 261, compensation for flight disruptions in the EU should be directly paid into your bank account. The compensation amount that you might be eligible for is fixed and varies from 250 to 600 euros.
Another option available to you is seeking legal help.
By choosing this route, your claim will be processed by a flight compensation company. They will handle everything for you, making the claim on your behalf and managing the process until its completion.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more: How to Claim American Airlines Compensation?
Have you experienced a last-minute flight cancellation? Do you still have questions about American Airlines compensation policies? Ask in the comments.