Flight Ticket Cancellation Rules Updated, Refunds Now Processed Within Hours

Air Ticket Cancellation Rules Revised, Faster Refunds For Passengers: Air travel in India is set to become more passenger-friendly as new flight ticket refund rules come into force. Travellers often face uncertainty when plans change after booking, especially due to high cancellation charges and delayed refunds. To address these concerns, the aviation regulator has introduced a series of updated guidelines aimed at improving transparency and convenience.
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A key highlight of these changes is the introduction of a 48-hour “look-in option”, designed to give passengers more flexibility soon after booking their tickets.

What The 48-Hour Rule Means For Travellers

The newly introduced 48-hour look-in option allows passengers to cancel or modify their flight bookings within two days of purchase without paying any cancellation fee. This move is expected to benefit travellers who may need to adjust their plans shortly after booking.


However, the benefit comes with certain conditions. The option is only available within the first 48 hours after the ticket is booked. Once this period ends, standard airline cancellation charges will apply.

Passengers opting to modify their bookings will not be charged a cancellation fee, but they will need to pay the fare difference if ticket prices have changed.


Conditions Attached To The New Policy

While the rule offers relief, it is not applicable in every situation. The eligibility depends on the timing of the flight and the mode of booking.

For domestic flights, the scheduled departure must be at least seven days away from the booking date. In the case of international flights, the departure date must be a minimum of 15 days away.

Another important condition is that the ticket must be booked directly through the airline’s official website. Bookings made through third-party platforms or travel agents will not qualify for the 48-hour free cancellation benefit.

These conditions ensure that the flexibility is used responsibly while still offering meaningful convenience to passengers.