Flight refunds for medical reasons
What you can actually get back from an airline when illness stops you flying — including the taxes almost nobody claims.
The short answer. On a non-refundable fare the ticket price usually stays with the airline — but taxes and certain charges are normally reclaimable whether you fly or not, and many carriers will waive a change fee or issue a credit on documented medical grounds. Ask the airline first, then claim the rest from your insurer.
The taxes almost nobody claims
Air passenger duty and a number of airport and government charges are only payable when a passenger actually travels. If you do not fly, the airline is holding money it did not have to pay onwards.
You are generally entitled to that back even on the most restrictive non-refundable fare. Airlines do not volunteer it, some charge an administration fee for processing the refund, and on a cheap short-haul ticket the admin fee can swallow most of it. On long-haul tickets, where taxes and charges can run to a hundred pounds or more per passenger, it is well worth claiming — particularly for a family.
What else is worth asking for
- A change rather than a refund. Many airlines will waive or reduce a change fee with a doctor’s letter, even where the fare is non-refundable. Moving the trip is often worth more than arguing about a refund
- A credit voucher. Common as a discretionary gesture on medical grounds
- Seat, baggage and extras. Paid extras are often refundable separately from the fare, and are frequently forgotten
How to ask
- Contact the airline before the departure date if at all possible. Requests made after a no-show are treated far less generously
- Be specific: name the flights, the booking reference and the medical reason, and say what you are asking for — refund, change or credit
- Attach a doctor’s letter stating you were unfit to travel on those dates. A not fit to fly certificate is exactly this
- Ask separately for a refund of taxes and charges, in the same message, so it is not overlooked if the main request is declined
- Keep everything in writing
Then go to your insurer
Whatever the airline refunds reduces your insurance claim, and insurers require you to tell them what you recovered elsewhere. Claiming the same loss twice is not permitted and is straightforwardly fraud. Get the airline’s answer first, then claim the balance. How to build the insurance claim.
Common questions
Can I get a refund on a flight if I am too ill to travel?
It depends on the fare. A flexible fare usually refunds under its own rules. A non-refundable fare generally does not, though taxes and certain charges are normally reclaimable, and many airlines will waive a change fee or issue a credit on documented medical grounds.
Can I claim back air passenger duty if I do not fly?
Generally yes. Air passenger duty and certain airport charges are only payable when you actually travel, so they can normally be reclaimed even on a non-refundable ticket. Airlines rarely offer this proactively — you have to ask.
Will the airline accept a doctor's letter?
Most will consider one, though a refund remains discretionary on a non-refundable fare. A specific letter stating you were unfit to travel on the relevant dates is far more persuasive than a general note.
Should I claim from the airline or the insurer?
Ask the airline first, because your insurer will want to know what you recovered elsewhere and will deduct it. Claiming from both for the same loss is not permitted.
What if the airline refuses to let me board on medical grounds?
Get the reason in writing. That refusal is usually strong support for an insurance claim, and some airlines will rebook or refund where their own rule prevented travel.
Related
Need a letter for the airline?
A GMC-registered UK GP can confirm in writing that you were unfit to travel on your booked dates — the evidence airlines and insurers ask for.
Get startedReviewed by a GMC-registered GP. Full refund if a certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds.