France-UK travel ban: Can I get a refund for my flight?

France has suspended all travel with the United Kingdom for 48 hours, from midnight on Sunday, December 20, in a bid to prevent a new variant of coronavirus that is spreading rapidly in the UK, from crossing to France.

France imposes UK travel ban for 48 hours

The ban means that all flights from the UK to France have temporarily been suspended.

If your flight has been cancelled by an airline that is based in the UK or EU, you are entitled to a full refund. You should receive a message from your airline outlining how to proceed.

If your flight has not been cancelled but you no longer wish to take the flight, airlines are offering alternative options.

Flights from France to the UK are still going ahead.

easyJet

easyJet will offer full refunds to all customers whose flights have been cancelled. They will be notified directly by email and will receive the option to change their flight for free, take a voucher for the value of the ticket or request a refund.

Customers are able to do this via the company’s website or through the easyJet application.

For any customers whose flights are still running but they wish to change their travel plans due to the Covid-19 situation, easyJet is offering three options.

Customers can change their flight for free, request a voucher up to the value of their ticket or request a refund. There is no legal requirement for the airline to grant this refund. To request it, customers are advised to contact the company’s customer service team.

Ryanair

For any flights cancelled because of government regulations between December 20 to 24, customers will receive an email offering to change their flight, change the destination or take a refund.

For any customers whose flights are still running but they wish to change their travel plans due to the Covid-19 situation, Ryanair will offer a free flight change (any difference in fare will be applicable) to any date up to March 15, 2021.

British Airways

BA is offering full refunds to any customers whose flights have been cancelled. The company says it will contact affected customers directly and asks them to ensure their contact details are up-to-date by going to ‘Manage My Booking’.

For any customers whose flights are still running but they wish to change their travel plans due to the Covid-19 situation, BA is offering flight changes or online vouchers.

More information can be found on their website here.

Air France

Air France states that any affected customers will be notified individually and offered to rebook their flight for free or to take a refund.

For any customers whose flights are still running but they wish to change their travel plans due to the Covid-19 situation, Air France is offering free rebooking, vouchers up to the cost of the ticket or the option to request a refund, according to the conditions of your ticket.

Find out more here.

Read more:

EU leaders discuss UK Covid-19 travel ban

When will Britons be allowed to visit France again?