NEED to cancel or change an Emirates flight? Here’s the easy way to do it, plus what to expect on refunds and fees.
We’ve checked the latest guidance, so you don’t have to click around for answers.
Any changes you want to make to your booking can be done on the company website in the Manage your booking section[/caption]
How do you cancel an Emirates flight?
Cancelling with Emirates is pretty straightforward if you booked directly.
Head to Manage your booking on the Emirates site, pull up your trip using your surname and booking reference, and you’ll see options to cancel and request a refund if your ticket allows it.
Emirates processes cancellations and refunds based on your ticket’s fare conditions, so check those rules in your booking before you proceed.
If your fare is refundable, you can submit the online refund form after you cancel to start the process.
If you’d rather change your flight instead of cancelling, you can also do that online.
The system will show you alternative dates and times, along with any costs, before you confirm, which is handy if you’re weighing up options.
If you run into issues online or your ticket was purchased through a third‑party travel agent, you may need to contact the agent or Emirates directly for help, but most direct bookings can be handled in minutes via Manage Your Booking.
How to cancel an Emirates flight online
- Go to the Manage your booking page on emirates.com. Enter your surname and booking reference to pull up your trip.
- Select the flight you want to cancel. The system will show you any fees and whether your ticket is refundable before you commit. Confirm to cancel, then watch for a confirmation email.
Online is the quickest method and works for most tickets, including return itineraries and multi-city bookings, as long as your fare rules allow cancellation.
If you only need to change dates or times, you can usually do that in the same place without cancelling the whole trip.
If you booked via a travel agent or an online travel agency, you usually have to cancel through them.
Emirates cannot modify tickets it did not sell directly, and the agent’s own fees may apply on top of airline rules.
Can’t cancel online? If the website will not let you cancel or you see an error, you can contact Emirates for assistance.
Have your booking reference ready and explain what you want to do.
You can also ask your travel agent to handle it if you booked through them.
Understanding fees and refunds
Your entitlement to a refund depends on your fare type and the specific conditions attached to your ticket.
Emirates sells a mix of Special, Saver, Flex and Flex Plus fares, with Flex and Flex Plus generally allowing more flexible changes and cancellations than the cheaper options.
Always review the fare conditions shown in Manage your booking before you confirm the cancellation, so you know what you will get back.
Within the cancellation flow, Emirates displays whether your ticket is refundable and any charges that will be deducted.
The 24-hour cancellation rule, Emirates offers free cancellation within 24 hours in many cases.
If you change your mind shortly after booking, log in to Manage your booking and cancel within that first day to avoid fees, if eligible.
Check your confirmation email and the cancellation screen to confirm that your booking qualifies.
Change vs cancel, which is cheaper?
Cancelling is not always the best move.
If you aim to fly later, changing your dates can be simpler and may cost less than cancelling and rebooking, especially on Flex and Flex Plus fares.
You can price up both options inside Manage your booking before committing.
Once you confirm the cancellation online, Emirates will send an email showing the status and any refund due based on your fare rules.
Refundability and fees are determined by the ticket conditions you agreed to at purchase, and those are shown to you in the cancellation flow so you know what to expect.
Quick tips to avoid fees
- Act fast if you booked by mistake. The 24-hour window can save you money when eligible.
- Check your fare conditions first. They are the source of truth for what you can get back.
- Use Manage your booking for clear, on-screen costs before you confirm.
