In short: Cancelled or delayed 5+ hours: request a full refund in Manage Bookings – easyJet says it processes requests within 7 days. A voucher is optional and valid 12 months. Cancelling yourself: full refund minus a fee only within 24 hours of booking; after that, only some government taxes, claimed from Customer Services within 6 calendar months. A refund does not replace compensation of £220–£520.
When easyJet must refund you
Under Article 8 of UK261 and EU261, repeated in easyJet’s notice of rights, you can choose a refund of the full ticket price when:
- easyJet cancels your flight, however much notice it gives and whatever the cause;
- your flight is delayed by at least 5 hours and you decide not to travel – easyJet says you can cancel the delayed flight and apply for a full refund through ground crew or Customer Services;
- you are denied boarding against your will.
The refund covers the part of the journey not flown. If the disruption makes the rest of the trip pointless, it can also cover the parts already flown, plus a flight back to where you started. The law requires payment within seven days, in money; vouchers only with your agreement.
A refund and compensation are different things: the refund gives back what you paid, while compensation (£220–£520 or €250–€600) is extra money for the disruption, when the cause was within easyJet’s control.
How to request an easyJet refund
- Sign in to Manage Bookings on easyjet.com or the easyJet app and open the disrupted booking.
- Choose refund (rather than transfer or voucher). easyJet pays it to the account used for the booking.
- Track the request on easyJet’s refund tracking page, linked from its delays and cancellations help page.
- For a 5-hour delay at the airport, ask ground crew to cancel the flight for a refund, or contact Customer Services.
easyJet states it processes refund requests within 7 days and that the money “may take a few extra days” to appear. If you booked through a travel agent or tour operator, they handle the refund; easyJet holidays packages are handled by its holidays team under package travel rules – see package holidays.
Return trips: easyJet sells each direction as a separate flight, but its help page describes the refund as the full value of your booking. If the cancelled outbound flight means you no longer need the return, say so and ask for both: the Regulation covers parts of the journey that “no longer serve any purpose” in relation to your original travel plan. If you are already abroad and the return is cancelled, refunding only the return flight is normal – and you then book your own way home at your own cost, which is why a free transfer is often the better choice.
Extras bought from easyJet (bags, seats) are part of the booking value. If you were moved to an alternative airline and had to pay for hold luggage again, easyJet asks you to send Customer Services the receipt and the new booking to get that refunded.
Voucher or cash?
easyJet offers a voucher for the full booking value, valid for 12 months from issue and usable anywhere on its network. You never have to accept it: the law gives you the choice of money.
| Refund | Voucher | Free transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money back | Yes, to the original payment method | No – credit for 12 months | No – you travel |
| Hotel and meals from easyJet afterwards | No | No | Yes, while you wait |
| Compensation if within easyJet’s control | Still claimable | Still claimable | Still claimable |
easyJet says plainly that choosing a voucher or refund ends your eligibility for accommodation and expenses, because you are no longer travelling with it. Decide before you click: if you still need to get somewhere tonight, a transfer keeps the duty of care running. Compensation is claimed separately on the EC261 form.
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Cancelling your own easyJet flight
easyJet’s help page on cancelling is clear: its tickets are non-refundable. The exceptions it lists:
- Within 24 hours of booking: cancel in Manage Bookings for a full refund, including extras bought from easyJet, minus a cancellation fee (see its fees and charges page). An unused Flex Pass is refunded.
- Government taxes: if you do not fly, you are entitled to a refund of some government taxes. Ask Customer Services within six calendar months of the scheduled departure date; easyJet says later requests are declined.
- Serious illness: easyJet points you to your travel insurer. A Medical Declaration Form signed and stamped by a GP must reach it within 30 days of the flight date.
- Bereavement: easyJet offers a voucher, or a full or partial refund where the booker or a passenger has died, with a death certificate, via its contact form or by post to Hangar 89, London Luton Airport, LU2 9PF; it aims to process requests within 7 days.
Otherwise you can usually change the flight or name for a fee instead of losing the booking. Hotels, car hire and insurance bought through easyJet’s partners must be cancelled with those providers.
If the refund is late or refused
Seven days is the legal deadline. If nothing has arrived after that:
- Check the refund tracker, then contact easyJet Customer Services in writing, quoting your booking and the date of your request.
- If you paid by credit card and the booking cost more than £100, section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may let you claim from your card provider; for debit cards, ask your bank about a chargeback.
- Complaints about refunds can go to AviationADR after easyJet’s final response or 8 weeks, then to court with a letter before action.
For the legal background, read our flight refund rights guide; for the disruption itself, see easyJet cancelled flights.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an easyJet refund take?
easyJet says it processes refund requests for cancelled flights within 7 days, and that the money may take a few extra days to reach your bank account. Seven days is also the legal deadline.
Can I get a refund if my easyJet flight is delayed?
Only if the delay reaches 5 hours and you choose not to travel. Ask ground crew or Customer Services to cancel the flight for a full refund. A shorter delay gives no refund, but a 3-hour arrival delay can give compensation.
Can I get the taxes back if I don’t fly with easyJet?
easyJet says you are entitled to a refund of some government taxes if you do not fly. Ask Customer Services within six calendar months of the scheduled departure date.
Can I cancel an easyJet booking for free?
Only within 24 hours of booking, and even then easyJet deducts a cancellation fee. After 24 hours there is no refund, but you can usually change the flight or name for a fee.
Does taking a refund stop me claiming compensation?
No. Compensation for a cancellation within 14 days (or a 3-hour delay) is a separate right. What a refund ends is easyJet’s duty to pay for hotels and meals after that point.
The easyJet name belongs to its owner; EU261 Flight Delay is an independent information site and is not affiliated with easyJet. Information only, not legal advice.
Sources
- Delays and cancellations – easyJet
- Cancelling your flight – easyJet
- Notice of your rights in case of flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding – easyJet
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained in UK law – Article 8 (reimbursement or re-routing) – legislation.gov.uk
- Cancellations – UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – UK Civil Aviation Authority
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