Air France, like many airlines, adheres to a 24-hour cancellation policy for flights to and from the US, provided the booking was made at least seven days before the departure date. This policy allows customers to cancel their booking within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, including any paid options. This is in line with the U.S. Department of Transportation rule. 

Applicability:

This 24-hour cancellation policy applies to Air France flights to or from the USA when booked on the Air France USA website. 

Air France has a varied cancellation policy depending on the type of ticket purchased and when the cancellation is requested. Generally, tickets booked within 24 hours of purchase are fully refundable. Beyond that, cancellation policies vary by fare type, with flexible fares offering more lenient cancellation options. 

Air France does offer a 24-hour cancellation (grace) period, commonly known as a “risk-free” window, but it only applies under specific conditions:

Air France offers a 24-hour cancellation policy that allows passengers to cancel their flight within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund without any penalties, provided certain conditions are met. This risk-free grace period applies only if the ticket was purchased directly through Air France’s official website, mobile app, customer service, or ticket counter, and the scheduled departure is at least seven days away. It applies across all fare classes, including non-refundable ones like Economy Light. This flexibility is particularly useful for travelers who may change their minds shortly after booking. To initiate the cancellation, passengers can go to the "My Bookings" section on the Air France website or app, or contact customer support. The refund is typically processed back to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days for credit card transactions. However, this 24-hour rule does not apply to tickets booked through third-party travel agencies, group bookings, or award tickets redeemed using Flying Blue miles. After the 24-hour period, refund eligibility depends on the fare conditions. Fully flexible fares usually remain refundable with minimal or no fees, while restricted fares may incur cancellation charges or only qualify for a travel voucher. If Air France itself cancels the flight or there is a significant schedule change, passengers are entitled to a full refund or rebooking at no additional cost. Under EU261 regulations, they may also qualify for compensation in cases of last-minute cancellations caused by the airline. Passengers are encouraged to retain booking records and cancellation confirmations, as some customers have reported delays or complications in the refund process. Booking directly with Air France and understanding fare rules at the time of purchase are the best ways to ensure smoother cancellations and refunds.

Summary:Air France’s 24-hour cancellation policy offers a full cash refund if you book directly with the airline at least seven days before travel and cancel within 24 hours. It applies to all fare classes, but not to bookings made via third parties or group/miles-based reservations.

After the 24-hour window, only flexible fare types remain fully refundable, while most standard or low-cost fares are either non-refundable or converted to travel credit minus penalty fees.

If Air France cancels or significantly delays your flight, you reserve the right to a full refund or free rebooking along with possible compensation under European regulations.

When canceling, use Air France’s “My Bookings” portal or app to manage your reservation, and retain screenshots or confirmation emails. Staying within the grace period and booking directly are key to securing a refund with minimal hassle.