The simple answer is yes. Read through this guide for tips and general information on what you're entitled to if you're too sick to fly.
This page will answer the questions:
How to cancel a flight?
Can I get a refund?
Why do people get sick before flying?
How to avoid getting sick?
If you're already sick, you won't want the additional stress of a complex cancellation process. At Alternative Airlines, we make bookings and, if needed, cancellations straightforward. Just go to manage my booking and follow the simple steps. If you want further assistance, you can contact our expert customer service team, who are always there to provide support.
When you cancel your flight, you'll be shown if you're entitled to a refund and how much of the original price this refund will be. For a full refund, you can book a refundable flight or add cancellation protection to your ticket during the booking process. With this protection, you can alleviate some of the stresses that come with booking a flight by knowing that if you fall ill, you'll still get your money back.
To claim your refund, you'll need to fill out our refund form and put in your unique customer reference number (found on your e-ticket).
The terms and conditions of this policy also extend to other circumstances, such as a family member's death, jury duty and transportation failure.
If you didn't purchase Alternative Airlines additional cancellation protection and you've fallen ill, don't worry—you might still be able to get a refund! Some airlines will give you your money back as long if you meet certain criteria.
In this list, we'll look at some of the most popular airlines, their cancellation policies, and how they apply their refunds.
If no refund is shown when cancelling your ticket, contact our customer service team for further support.
The fear of getting sick before an important flight is understandable. People often get unwell right before a big event due to anxiety and limited sleep. Flying can be very stressful, and when we're stressed, our bodies produce adrenaline, which increases cortisol. Although cortisol can help relax your body by regulating its hormones, high cortisol levels caused by prolonged stress can weaken the immune system.
Another reason people commonly get sick before a flight is because airports are a breeding ground for communicable diseases. Cramped spaces, hot temperatures, and people congregating from all corners of the globe can increase your chance of getting sick. Studies show that around 80% of travellers have gotten ill after a trip to the airport. Although annoying, this is fine if you're already back home, but if you have a return flight coming up, it can be extremely frustrating.
However, there are preventative measures that you can take to limit your chances of getting sick. Such as:
We have further information available. Read our blog for additional tips on how to avoid getting sick for your next flight.
With all this considered, if you're already unwell and don't think you fit the refund criteria, you might consider not cancelling at all. Unsure what to do? Have a look through this list to see if cancelling really is your best option.
Yes! If you have a refundable ticket or add Alternative Airlines cancellation protection to your booking, you'll be eligible for a full refund for emergency situations like sickness. Once you've cancelled your flight, fill out our refund form.
If you haven't brought our cancellation protection, depending on the airline, you may be able to get a refund. This may show up when you cancel your ticket with Alternative Airlines. However, if it doesn't, contact our customer service team for personalized assistance.
Book a refundable ticket or purchase cancellation protection at Alternative Airlines for the highest chance of getting a full refund.
Contact our customer service team to find out your best next steps. You might be able to rebook your flight for a later date.
Airlines won't be able to pay for any additional hotel or car services you may require.
Yes. If the airline deems you too sick for travel, you won't be able to board the aircraft. This is done to protect both you and the other passengers. If this happens to you, you may be entitled to a refund, depending on the airline. You'll be able to find out more at the airport or by contacting our team at Alternative Airlines.
Yes! Even if you don't think you'll be able to get a refund, you must inform the airline that you'll be missing your flight. There's no winning if you no-show. Not only will you definitely not get your money back, but there's also the risk of the airline banning you from travelling with them in the future.
A combination of the heightened emotions that flying can cause, alongside the fact that airports are one of the most infectious environments around, can lead to people falling ill.
Some things you can do include frequently washing your hands, choosing a more isolated time to travel, and taking vitamins to boost your immune system.
If you start feeling sick and worry you'll only get worse, it's best to cancel right away. Giving as much time as possible can heighten the chance of getting a refund, especially if you give at least 24 hours' notice.
