The 10 most popular airlines in France.
Refund policies

EasyJet

EasyJet is one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, known for its extensive network of routes and digital refund processes. The airline stands out for its transparent policies and the ease of managing claims online.

Policies for Cancelled vs. Delayed Flights

EasyJet provides full refunds for canceled flights. For delayed flights, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies, offering compensation that depends on the flight distance and the length of the delay.

Online Claim System

The claim process is straightforward and easy to navigate, available directly through the “Manage Bookings” section on our official website.

Differences Between Standard and Flexible Fares

FLEXI fares let you change your flight date at no extra cost and even offer partial refunds if you decide to cancel your trip.

Real Passenger Experiences

Passenger reviews show a good level of satisfaction with how refunds are handled, with most payments being processed within 10–15 days.

Advantages and disadvantages

• ✅ Clear and transparent policies
• ✅ Flexible rebooking options
• ❌ Refund processing times that can take over 30 days

Ryanair

Standard Refund Policy

Ryanair is known for its competitive fares, but also for its strict refund policies. Standard tickets are non-refundable if passengers change their travel plans. Refunds are only available when the airline cancels the flight.

Claim Procedure

To start the process, you need to log in to your MyRyanair account and fill out an online form. All documents must be uploaded digitally, and the procedure can be tricky for anyone not used to digital tools.

Average Processing Time

Ryanair claims to process refunds within 7 working days, but many passengers report much longer waiting times—often over 20 to 30 days.

Advantages and disadvantages

• ✅ Fully digital system
• ❌ Strong preference for vouchers over cash refunds
• ❌ Customer support can be hard to reach

Transavia

Standard Refund Policies

Transavia, the low-cost airline within the Air France-KLM group, has refund policies similar to Ryanair. Standard tickets are non-refundable if you decide to change your plans. Refunds are only available for flights that are canceled by the airline.

Refund Policies and Applicable Limits

If your flight is canceled by the airline, you should receive a refund automatically—but in many cases, you may need to follow up to make sure it’s processed.

Transavia applies an administrative fee to certain types of refunds, especially for the lowest fares. FLEX tickets offer more flexibility, but fees may still apply. It’s important to check the specific conditions of your fare before submitting a claim.

If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the airline, even non-refundable ticket holders are entitled to a refund or compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. The process may require follow-ups and detailed documentation.

Additional fees for changes

Changing your ticket can come with significant administrative fees, sometimes nearly as much as buying a new ticket on the cheapest routes.

Lufthansa

Premium Airlines vs. Low-Cost Carriers

As a premium airline, Lufthansa offers more flexible refund policies, especially for Business and First Class travelers. Economy tickets also come with varying levels of flexibility.

In addition to refunds, Lufthansa provides a well-organized compensation system, including meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and alternative transport when needed.

If your flight is canceled by the airline, you can choose between a full refund or a free rebooking on an alternative flight.

Differences Between Automatic and Claim-Based Refunds

If the airline cancels your flight, a refund should be automatic—but in many cases, you’ll need to follow up to get it.

Average Processing Time

Refund timelines and amounts can vary significantly depending on your travel class and the ticket type you purchased.

Vueling

How to Claim Your Refund

Vueling offers a fully digital refund request process, available in the "My Bookings" section on their official website.

Limitations and Restrictions

Vueling's BASIC fares are the most affordable option—but also the least flexible. These tickets are non-refundable if a passenger chooses not to travel, no matter the reason. The only exception is if the airline cancels the flight; in that case, BASIC ticket holders are entitled to a full refund or rebooking on another flight, in line with European regulations.

OPTIMA fares offer a moderate level of flexibility. You can change your travel dates or times with a reduced fee, paying only the fare difference. In some cases, partial refunds may be available, though a significant deduction may apply.

Vueling’s EXCELLENCE fares, the airline’s premium option, offer maximum flexibility. You can change your flight without penalties (just pay any fare difference) and enjoy more generous refunds if you need to cancel. These fares also include perks like priority boarding and extra legroom.

British Airways

Post-Brexit Policies

After Brexit, British Airways has largely aligned its refund policies with European Regulation 261/2004, but there are some notable differences when it comes to compensation for flights between the UK and the European Union.

Key differences in compensation

• Dual regulatory framework:
• For flights departing from the EU: EU Regulation 261/2004 still applies.
• Per i voli in partenza dal Regno Unito: si applica la normativa britannica, nota come "UK261" o "UK Air Passenger Rights".

• Financial Compensation:
• Amounts are shown in pounds (£) instead of euros for flights covered by UK regulations.
• Compensation ranges from $290 to $660 (around 250€–600€ under EU regulations).

• Understanding “extraordinary circumstances”:
• British courts may interpret what counts as an “extraordinary circumstance” differently from European courts, which can affect whether an airline is exempt from paying compensation.

• Claim process:
• Passengers should contact the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) instead of the national enforcement bodies in Europe.
• British Airways has introduced a dedicated claims system to align with the new regulatory framework.

Consumer Protection

The United Kingdom has kept many of its consumer protections, but over time, new independent regulations may lead to some differences.

It’s important to keep in mind that for flights between the EU and the UK, both sets of regulations may apply depending on the flight’s direction and the airline’s nationality, which can create complex situations for passengers seeking refunds or compensation.

Differences from the EU Regulation

Compensation for delays and cancellations now follows the UK261 regulation, which is similar to the European law but differs in the calculation methods.

You can learn more about this topic by visiting our page dedicated to UK Regulation 261.

Compensation options

British Airways offers several options for passengers affected by delays or cancellations, including:

• Full ticket refund for cancelled flights or for those the passenger chooses not to take.
• Rebooking on alternative flights at no extra cost, even with partner airlines, to ensure you reach your destination as soon as possible.
• Vouchers with extended validity that can be used for future bookings with British Airways.
• Airport assistance (meals, drinks, accommodation, and transport) in case of long waits.

The best option depends on your specific situation and preferences. If you need help with your claim, Refly can guide you and ensure you obtain the most beneficial solution.

Air Corsica

Air Corsica is the leading regional airline of Corsica, specializing in flights between the island and mainland France. The airline stands out for its strong local focus and direct management of domestic routes.

Air Corsica, a French regional airline, offers refunds only for flights cancelled or changed by the airline. The procedures can be managed online, but the timelines may vary between 10 and 30 days.

Compensation Claim System

Air Corsica handles refund requests mainly by phone or email, using a specific form that can be downloaded from their website.

Policies for regional connections

As a regional airline, Air Corsica has specific policies for connections with Corsica, including special provisions for Corsican residents.

Processing times

Refunds are generally processed within 15–30 days, with relatively good communication on the status of your claim.

Volotea

Refund policies for regional flights

Volotea, which focuses on regional flights in France and Southern Europe, offers refund policies that vary depending on the fare type you choose.

Online claim system

The airline offers a fairly straightforward online claim system, but it can sometimes lack clarity in specific cases.

Comparison with other regional airlines

Compared to other regional airlines, Volotea is about average in terms of refund flexibility, but with processing times that can sometimes be longer.

Wizz Air

Refund policies and limitations

Wizz Air has very strict policies. Standard (basic) tickets are non-refundable if the passenger decides to change their plans or not travel for personal reasons.

Therefore, if you purchase a basic ticket and later cancel your trip, you won’t be entitled to any refund. Only FLEX tickets are refundable, but in this case a substantial administrative fee will be deducted from the original fare.

It’s important to note that this policy applies to voluntary cancellations. In the event of cancellations or significant delays caused by the airline, even basic ticket holders are entitled to refunds or compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

If the airline cancels a flight, passengers can choose a full refund or free rebooking on an alternative flight.

Automatic and on-demand refunds

If the airline cancels your flight, the refund should be automatic, but it often requires follow-ups from the passenger.

Refund timelines

Wizz Air claims to process refunds within 14 working days, but user experiences indicate it can take 30–45 days, especially during busy periods.