Complaint Against Airline for Cancelled Flight

When and how to use this letter

The moment a flight is cancelled, start collecting evidence while you are still at the airport. Screenshot the cancellation notice on the airline's app or the departure board, and keep the SMS or email the airline sent you. Save every receipt for meals, transport, and accommodation from that day. Claims filed months later with no receipts are routinely rejected, while a folder of same-day evidence is very hard to dispute.

Do not accept a voucher if you want cash. Airlines prefer vouchers because many go unused, and staff at the counter are trained to offer them first. You are generally entitled to a refund to your original payment method if you choose not to travel, so say so explicitly and get any offer they make in writing.

Here is the detail most passengers miss: ask the airline for the reason for the cancellation in writing. Compensation rules often hinge on whether the cause was within the airline's control, such as technical issues or crew problems, versus extraordinary circumstances like severe weather. An airline that will not put the reason in writing is usually one that owes you compensation.

Send this letter to the airline's customer relations team by email, not just the airport desk, and give a 30-day deadline. If they refuse or ignore you, escalate to your country's aviation regulator or consumer forum with your evidence file. Keep everything until the money is actually in your account.

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