Can I cancel one leg of a flight?

Understanding Cancellation Policies for Flight Segments

When booking a flight, it’s crucial to understand the cancellation policies for each leg of the journey. This is particularly important for round-trip tickets, as these are often treated as a single unit by airlines.

Impact of Cancelling One Leg

In most cases, cancelling one leg of a round-trip flight will void the entire trip, including the remaining leg. This is because airlines consider round-trip tickets as a single booking, rather than two separate journeys.

By cancelling one leg, you breach the terms of the contract with the airline. As a result, the airline may cancel the other leg as well. This leaves the remaining leg unusable and without the possibility of a refund.

Exceptions

There may be exceptions to this rule in some cases, such as:

• Medical emergencies: If a medical emergency prevents you from making one leg of the trip, the airline may allow you to cancel that leg without voiding the entire reservation. However, you will likely need to provide proof of the emergency.
• Scheduling changes: If the airline cancels or significantly changes the schedule for one leg of the trip, you may be able to cancel that leg without affecting the other.

Guidelines for Avoiding Cancellation Issues

To avoid cancellation issues, it’s recommended to:

• Contact the airline directly: If you need to cancel one leg of a round-trip flight, contact the airline directly to inquire about their policy. They may be able to provide you with options or exceptions.
• Consider trip cancellation insurance: Trip cancellation insurance can protect you against the cost of cancelling or interrupting your trip due to unexpected events, including medical emergencies or flight cancellations.
• Book separate one-way tickets: If you want to ensure that you can cancel one leg without affecting the other, consider booking separate one-way tickets instead of a round-trip ticket.

Understanding the cancellation policies for flight segments and following these guidelines can help you avoid unexpected costs and ensure a smooth travel experience.