Air India was founded in 1932 by J.R.D. Tata as an airmail carrier. But soon it spread its wings and expanded domestically. In 1938, Air India had its first international flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Over the decades, Tata Airlines became Air India and was nationalized. It has grown immensely under the Tata Group. With its recent merger with Vistara, Air India is vying for the first spot in the Indian aviation industry. As of 2025, Air India has a market share of 29.2%, which is a major chunk of the market, despite the Air India group shrinking over the months.
While flights have become quite accessible to Indians, many fear the dreaded cancellation. Getting refunds for cancelled flights can be a hassle. Here’s a simple guide to help you cancel your Air India ticket online, without the guesswork.
How to Cancel your Air India Ticket (Step-by-Step Guide)
There are several ways to book your Air India flight; here are some easy steps to follow.
- Book your Air India ticket online through the website.
- Use the Air India mobile app.
- You can also use third-party websites/apps like Goibibo, Yatra, Expedia, etc. to book your flights.
- Local travel agents can also assist with the booking procedure.
- You can also book through the telephone reservation system, ticket offices, and airport ticket counters.
The best way to cancel your Air India ticket is through the platform you used to book. For example, if you have booked your Air India ticket through Goibibo, then you can cancel it through the Goibibo app itself. Want to know how you can save more on flights? Here is a little nugget of information on “Best Time to Book Flights to Get Maximum Discounts” to help you out.
How to Cancel an Air India Ticket using the Website
- Go to the official Air India website. Click on “Book and Manage” on the menu.
- Under “Manage,” select “Manage Booking.”
- Enter your PNR number and last name.
- Click on “Submit,” then on the next page select the “Modify/Cancel” option.
- Then, review the cancellation policy for the website and cancel the ticket.
How to Cancel an Air India Ticket Using the App
If you have the Air India app, you can also cancel your booking on it. Here is how you can do it:
- Download the app if you don’t already have it.
- Sign in using your account details.
- Go to “Manage bookings.”
- Enter your booking reference and last name.
- Then click on “Proceed” on the next page, and you can modify or cancel the booking.
- Review the policy and refund status, then cancel your ticket.
Other ways to cancel an Air India ticket
If you made your booking through a third-party app, website, or agent, you must cancel the booking through the same platform. Each travel booking app has its own process, so it will vary accordingly. In the case of agents, you can call them and ask to cancel the tickets. You can also call Air India customer care at +91 116 932 9333 to cancel your Air India tickets.
How to Request a Refund for Your Cancelled Air India Ticket
Most of the time, when you cancel your flights, you receive the refund within 7-10 business days. However, if for some reason a refund request has not been automatically filed, here is what you can do.
Online cancellation
If you booked your Air India ticket directly through the Air India website or mobile app, you can request a refund easily online. As mentioned before, simply go to the “Manage Booking” section, enter your booking details (PNR and last name), and follow the prompts to cancel your ticket and initiate a refund request. You will receive email notifications (sometimes a WhatsApp notification), informing you about the ticket cancellation and refund initiation.
Customer care
Still need help? You can ask Air India’s customer support for help. Go to the customer support portal to learn more, or give them a call on +91 116 932 9999 to know more about the status of your refund.
Third-party apps/travel agents
In this case, you must contact the respective agent or go to the platform directly to request a refund. Please note that Air India will not process refunds for tickets booked through third-party apps or agents.
What are the cancellation charges for Air India domestic flights?
Please note that there are various charges that may be deducted from your refund amount. Here are the types of deductions that Air India may apply:
- Change fee means the fee you are charged when you make a modification to your itinerary.
- No-show fee means when a passenger fails to show up for the booking.
- A cancellation fee is charged when you cancel the booking.
| NOTE: Another thing you need to know before going ahead is branded fare: it is actually a group of features/services that are sold separately under a unique name during flight booking. For example, seat selection during booking a flight is a branded fare; it is not part of the base fee, but is an added component when you are booking a flight. |
Air India has various cancellation charges and fees for domestic and international bookings (as well as classes). Here is a breakdown of the penalties you can incur after cancelling a domestic Air India flight:
| Cabin/Class | Brand | Change Fee | Cancellation Fee | No Show Fee |
| Economy | Value | Rs.3,000 | Rs.4,000 | Taxes refundable |
| Economy | Classic | >3 days: Rs.300
0-3 days: Rs. 1,000 |
>3 days: Rs. 2,000
0-3 days: Rs. 3,500 |
Taxes refundable |
| Economy | Flex | Free | Rs. 1,000 | Taxes refundable |
| Premium Economy | Classic | Rs.2,500 | Rs. 3,500 | Taxes refundable |
| Premium Economy | Flex | Free | >3 days: Rs. 500
0-3 days: Rs. 1,000 |
Taxes refundable |
| Business | Classic | >3 days: Free
0-3 days: Rs.5,000 |
>3 days: Rs. 1,000
0-3 days: Rs. 8,000 |
Taxes refundable |
| Business | Flex | Free | >3 days: Free
0-3 days: Rs. 1,000 |
Taxes refundable |
| First | First | Free | >3 days: Free
0-3 days: Rs. 1,000 |
Taxes refundable |
Notes:
- “>3 days” means more than 3 days before departure; “0-3 days” means within 3 days of departure.
- For non-refundable cases, only taxes will be credited back.
- Cancellation charges will not exceed the basic fare plus fuel surcharge.
- Refund requests can be made up to two years from the ticket issuance date.
How to cancel an Air India ticket booked online without losing money
If you cancel an Air India ticket, you will lose money; there is no way to avoid this. However, if the aviation company faces unforeseen circumstances like fog, war, disease or other events beyond their control, the company will pay a full refund in certain situations. If you need to cancel your ticket, it’s best to do so as early as possible, since the cancellation fees increase as your flight date approaches.
How much money will I receive as a refund if I cancel my Air India domestic flight?
If you have booked a domestic economy class flight with Air India and want to cancel it 24 hours before departure, then you will incur Rs.4000 as a cancellation fee, or you will be charged the base fare + fuel surcharge. However, if you cancel 3 days before your departure, a cancellation fee of Rs.2000 is charged. For international flights, the refund depends on the fare type, the destination, and the distance. You can check out Air India’s official cancellation policy for more details. If you want to save more on your next Air India flight booking, then GrabOn has some exciting Air India coupons you can use to save more on your travel.
FAQs
How can I contact Air India in the USA?
If you want to contact Air India in the USA, you can call them on the toll-free number 1888 634 1407 for further assistance. And if you are traveling to or from the US with special needs, then you can call the Air India support team 72 hours before your flight at 1-212-407-1456.
Are Air India and Air India Express the same?
Air India Express is a subsidiary of Air India. While Air India operates a wider range of flights, including both domestic and international routes, Air India Express is focused on connecting Indian cities with Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Prices of Air India Express are also a little on the affordable end.
How can I reschedule my Air India flight online?
To reschedule your Air India flight online, open the website or the app. Head over to “Manage Booking.” Then add your PNR number and last name, make the necessary changes to your booking like modifying the date and time, and save the modifications. Please note that Air India charges change fees if you make any changes to your bookings.
Will I get my money back on the flight booking if Air India diverts the flight?
With the current situation in Iran and on account of the recent events, Air India is trying to minimize the impact on travelers, providing passenger accommodation, refunds and complimentary rescheduling, and arranging alternate travel options. In this scenario, if your flight is diverted or returns to the source, then you can get in touch with Air India customer support to reschedule your travel plans or get a refund.
