Your flight was cancelled. Do this in the right order.
First establish who cancelled, who issued the ticket and whether the whole booking is affected. Then secure a workable alternative or refund path before spending money you may not recover.
Content updated 24 September 2026
Written and reviewed by Kyle Govender, founder and editor · Johannesburg
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Live fare search
Compare the live options before you decide.
Use the guide to narrow the decision, then compare current bookable flights.
First five minutes
Confirm the cancellation and protect the booking record.
Check the airline flight-status channel and the email or SMS linked to the booking. Save the cancellation notice, itinerary, booking reference and any replacement offered.
If the booking was made through Travelstart or another agent, the ticket seller may need to process the change or refund. Contact the correct party before cancelling anything yourself.
Decision tree
Airline cancellation and passenger cancellation are not the same.
| Situation | First action | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Airline cancels the flight | Review the replacement or refund options offered | New time, airport, connections and unused sectors |
| You cancel voluntarily | Read the fare conditions before confirming | Cancellation fee, credit versus cash, fare eligibility |
| Only one sector changes | Check the entire itinerary | Connections, return flight and separate tickets |
| Booked through an agent | Contact the ticket issuer | Airline may redirect servicing to the seller |
| Extra costs arise | Keep receipts before claiming | Policy, insurance and proof requirements |
Do not assume South African domestic flights follow UK or EU compensation rules. The ticket conditions, cause and applicable law matter.
Before accepting a replacement
A new flight is only useful if the whole trip still works.
Check whether the replacement departs from the same airport, protects onward connections and arrives in time for accommodation, car hire or events. If it breaks the trip, ask what other options are available before accepting.
Keep communication in writing where possible. If you buy a separate replacement, understand that reimbursement is not automatic and can depend on the airline, fare, insurance and circumstances.
Common questions
Questions travellers ask before booking.
Who do I contact if my flight is cancelled?
Contact the ticket seller shown on the booking. If you booked through an agent, the airline may require the agent to service the ticket.
Should I cancel the booking myself after the airline cancels?
Not until you understand the options. A voluntary cancellation can be treated differently from an airline-initiated cancellation.
Will the airline pay for my hotel or new ticket?
Not automatically in every case. Ask the airline, review the ticket conditions and insurance, and keep all receipts.
What evidence should I keep?
Keep the itinerary, cancellation notice, screenshots, correspondence, replacement options and receipts.
Use current inventory
Compare the live flight options.
Search exact dates and judge the final fare, not an old advertised price.