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Airline Went Bust: Getting Your Money Back
If your airline goes bust, how you get your money back depends on how you booked. ATOL-protected trips must get alternative flights or a full refund. For flights booked directly, ask your card provider about Section 75 (credit card) or chargeback (debit card), or claim on travel insurance with airline failure cover.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Getting Your Money Back
ATOL Trips
For ATOL-protected trips, the ATOL firm must make alternative flights available so your trip can continue or give a full refund. If you are abroad, it should arrange to bring you home. source
Flights Booked Directly
Direct bookings may be protected under Section 75 (credit card) or chargeback (debit card): contact your card issuer. Travel insurance with scheduled airline failure cover may pay the original ticket cost or unused part. Some card providers ask for a "negative response" letter, which the CAA publishes for each failure. If you booked through an agent, contact the agent first. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayContact your card providerUse the CAA negative response letter if asked
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check whether your booking was ATOL protected (look for an ATOL certificate).
Step 2 of 5
If you booked through a travel agent, contact the agent first.
Step 3 of 5
If you paid by card, contact your card provider about Section 75 or chargeback.
Step 4 of 5
Check your travel insurance for airline failure cover.
Step 5 of 5
If abroad, follow the CAA's updates for your airline.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Card Provider: Section 75 or Chargeback
You paid by card and the airline has not refunded a cancelled flight.
Civil Aviation Authority: Passenger Advice and Complaints Team
The airline is not in an ADR scheme, after you have complained to the airline first.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Paying by credit card gives you the strongest protection for flight-only bookings.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/resolving-travel-problems/travel-company-problems/failure-of-scheduled-airlines Checked 13 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/getting-your-money-back-if-you-paid-by-card-or-paypal Checked 8 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-to-claim-compensation Checked 12 October 2026