The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has got us worried about our travel plans – can we even get refunds from flight cancellations? We dig deeper to find out!
With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many of our travel plans have been put to a halt. For those who have already booked our flights, we have two choices – continue or cancel – and most of us would pick the latter for the safety of our health.
COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Cancellation & Refunds Guide:
#1: Does Travel Insurance Cover Novel Coronavirus COVID-19?
#2: Do Airlines Refund Flight Cancellations for Coronavirus COVID-19?
#3: COVID-19 Hotel Refunds & Cancellations Guide
If your reality was to travel during this period, you have two choices – continue or cancel – both of which are at the mercy of your travel insurance providers to approve or reject.
Thankfully, unlike travel insurance, airlines are relatively straightforward when it comes to flight cancellations. Some airlines might not even give you the choice though, especially when a number of flights to Wuhan, Hubei Province, and even Mainland China have already been suspended.
Also, if you have travel insurance, find out if your travel insurance covers trip cancellation due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is because most travel insurance would require you to get a cancellation refund from your airline first, before claiming trip cancellation from them.
Will My Airline Refund Me for Flight Cancellations Due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Epidemic?
🇨🇳 Flight to Wuhan and/or Mainland China
Yes, you can cancel your flight and get a refund from the airline.
🌎 Flight to rest of the world
If you’ve travelled to Wuhan, Mainland China, Iran, South Korea or Northern Italy in the last 14 days (subject to change by the respective immigration authorities), certain countries have imposed immigration restrictions and you’re not allowed to transit and/or enter. Only in this case you’re qualified for flight cancellation and refund.
Airline | To Wuhan & Mainland China | To Rest of the World* |
AirAsia | ✅ Yes (Booked before 23 Mar) Rebooking or travel voucher refund only | ✅ Yes (Booked before 23 Mar) Rebooking or travel voucher refund only |
Air China | ✅ Yes (Booked before 28 Jan) | Unspecified |
Air France | ✅ Yes (Booked before 29 Feb) | Unspecified |
Air New Zealand | ✅ Yes (Booked before 29 Mar) | Unspecified |
All Nippon Airways (ANA) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 28 Jan) | Unspecified |
British Airways | ✅ Yes (Booked before 31 Mar) | ✅ Yes (Hong Kong, USA) |
Cathay Pacific | ✅ Yes (Booked before 23 Mar) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 23 Mar) |
Emirates | ✅ Yes (Booked before 31 May) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 31 May) |
Etihad Airways | ✅ Yes (Booked before 30 Jun) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 30 Jun) |
Finnair | ✅ Yes (Unspecified cut-off date) | ✅ Yes (Unspecified cut-off date) |
Japan Airlines | ✅ Yes (Booked before 18 Mar) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 18 Mar) |
Jetstar | ✅ Yes (Booked up to 31 Mar) | ✅ Yes (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Vietnam) |
Korean Air | ✅ Yes (Booked before 1 Apr) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 1 Apr) |
KLM | ✅ Yes (Booked before 16 Apr) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 16 Apr) |
Qantas | ✅ Yes (Booked before 31 Jul) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 31 Jul) |
Qatar Airways | ✅ Yes (Booked before 7 Mar) | ✅ Yes (Egypt, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong) |
Singapore Airlines (SQ) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 15 Mar) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 15 Mar) |
Scoot | ✅ Yes (Booked before 15 Mar) | ✅ Yes (Booked before 15 Mar) |
Thai Airways | ✅ Yes (Booked before 28 Jan) | Unspecified |
If you’re looking to cancel your flight due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), here’s a summary of flight cancellation policies for popular airlines:
*Rest of the world: only applicable if you’ve travelled to Wuhan and/or Mainland China in the last 14 days.
Note: Airlines and immigration authorities are constantly updating their notices as the situation continues to develop. If you spot any outdated information, kindly reach us at editorial@you.co.
1) AirAsia
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight on or before 23 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and AirAsia will let you rebook at no additional cost or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
23 March 2020 to 31 May 2020
🇰🇷 South Korea travel
If you booked your flight on or before 23 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and AirAsia will let you rebook at no additional cost or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
23 March 2020 to 31 May 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight on or before 23 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and AirAsia will let you rebook at no additional cost or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
23 March 2020 to 31 May 2020
Read AirAsia’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here and here.
2) Air China
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight on or before 28 January 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Air China will refund you.
📅 Travel period
Flights after 1 January 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
Unspecified
Read Air China’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
3) Air France
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight on or before 19 February 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Air France will refund you.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 31 May 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
Unspecified
Read Air France’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
4) Air New Zealand
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight on or before 29 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight, but you have to request a refund through this form.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 29 March 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
Unspecified
Note: If you booked your flight directly from Air New Zealand, they will contact you directly to discuss your ticket options.
Read Air New Zealand’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
5) All Nippon Airways (ANA)
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight on or before 26 February 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and ANA will refund you.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 30 April 2020
🇯🇵 Japan travel
If you booked your flight before 19 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and ANA will refund you.
📅 Travel period
26 February to 30 April 2020
🇰🇷 South Korea travel
If you booked your flight before 6 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and ANA will refund you.
📅 Travel period
26 February to 30 April 2020
🇮🇹 Italy travel
If you booked your flight before 9 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and ANA will refund you.
📅 Travel period
1 March to 30 April 2020
🇮🇳 India travel
If you booked your flight before 26 February 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and ANA will refund you.
📅 Travel period
21 February to 30 April 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
Unspecified
Read ANA’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
6) British Airways
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 31 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and British Airways will let you rebook for free or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 31 May 2020
🇭🇰 Hong Kong travel
If you booked your flight before 31 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and British Airways will let you rebook for free or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 31 May 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 31 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and British Airways will let you rebook for free or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
- USA
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 31 May 2020
Read British Airways’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
7) Cathay Pacific
🇨🇳 Wuhan travel
If you booked your flight on or before 23 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Cathay Pacific will refund you.
📅 Travel period
17 March to 31 May 2020
🇨🇳 Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight on or before 23 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Cathay Pacific will refund you.
📅 Travel period
17 March to 31 May 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight on or before 23 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Cathay Pacific will refund you.
📅 Travel period
17 March to 31 May 2020
Read Cathay Pacific’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
8) Emirates
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 31 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Emirates will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 31 May 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 31 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Emirates will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 31 May 2020
Read Emirates’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
9) Etihad Airways
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 30 June 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Etihad Airways will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 30 June 2020
🇭🇰 Hong Kong travel
If you booked your flight before 30 June 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Etihad Airways will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 30 June 2020
🇹🇼 Taiwan travel
If you booked your flight before 30 June 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Etihad Airways will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 30 June 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 30 June 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Etihad Airways will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 30 June 2020
Read Etihad Airways’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
10) Finnair
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you have booked a flight to the above mentioned places: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Finnair will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Unspecified, you have to request a refund through this form.
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you have booked a flight to the above mentioned places: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Finnair will let you rebook without additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Unspecified, you have to request a refund through this form.
Read Finnair’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
11) Japan Airlines
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked a flight after 18 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Japan Airlines will refund you.
📅 Travel period
6 April to 30 April 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked a flight after 18 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Japan Airlines will refund you.
📅 Travel period
6 April to 30 April 2020
Note: Refund only applies for flights to and from Japan.
Read Japan Airlines’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
12) Jetstar
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight up to 19 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Jetstar will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 19 May 2020
🇹🇼 Taiwan travel
If you booked your flight up to 19 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Jetstar will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 19 May 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight up to 19 May 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Jetstar will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 19 May 2020
Read Jetstar’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
13) Korean Air
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 1 April 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Korean Air will refund you.
📅 Travel period
2 February to 30 June 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 1 April 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Korean Air will refund you
📅 Travel period
2 February to 30 June 2020
Read Korean Air’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
14) KLM
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 16 April 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and KLM will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 30 June 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 16 April 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and KLM will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 30 June 2020
Read KLM’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
15) Qantas
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 31 July 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qantas will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Period unspecified, but you need to make the request before 30 April 2020.
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 31 July 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qantas will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Period unspecified, but you need to make the request before 30 April 2020.
Read Qantas’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
16) Qatar Airways
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight on or before 7 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qatar Airways will refund you.
📅 Travel period
3 February to 30 April 2020
🇭🇰 Hong Kong travel
If you booked your flight on or before 7 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qatar Airways will refund you.
📅 Travel period
3 February to 30 April 2020
🇰🇷 South Korea travel
If you booked your flight before 26 February 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qatar Airways will refund you.
📅 Travel period
26 February to 31 March 2020
🇮🇷 Iran travel
If you booked your flight before 7 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qatar Airways will refund you.
📅 Travel period
26 February to 31 March 2020
🇪🇬 Egypt travel
If you booked your flight before 29 February 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qatar Airways will refund you.
📅 Travel period
26 February to 31 March 2020
🇮🇹 Italy travel
If you booked your flight before 7 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qatar Airways will refund you.
📅 Travel period
1 March to 30 April 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 30 September 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Qatar Airways will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in the form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 30 September 2020
Read Qatar Airways’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
17) Singapore Airlines (SQ)
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 15 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and SQ will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in form of a travel voucher.
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 15 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and SQ will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Up to 31 May 2020
Read SQ’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
18) Scoot
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 15 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Scoot will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 31 May 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
If you booked your flight before 15 March 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Scoot will let you rebook with no additional charges or refund you in form of a travel voucher.
📅 Travel period
Flights up to 31 May 2020
Read Scoot’s full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
19) Thai Airways
🇨🇳 Wuhan & Mainland China travel
If you booked your flight before 28 January 2020: ✅ Yes, you can cancel your flight and Thai Airways will refund you.
📅 Travel period
24 January to 29 February 2020
🌎 Rest of the world travel
Unspecified
Read Thai Airways’ full statement about the novel coronavirus here.
Conclusion
We hope it’s easier to see various airline’s flight cancellation policies and details in this consolidated list! Most airlines will offer you a refund when a travel advisory goes out and this novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic is no exception.
It’s also useful to request a refund through the airline first, as most travel insurance companies would ask you to do so before claiming from them. If you haven’t checked with your travel insurance provider, we’ve put together a comprehensive Does My Travel Insurance Cover Novel Coronavirus COVID-19? guide for you – go check it out!
All airlines information is accurate to date and time of publishing. For any corrections, kindly reach us at editorial@you.co.
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