Forget the stress: How flexible flights are here to help

Flexible flight tickets can offer handy booking perks, but what's included varies. Here’s everything you need to know.

Flexible flights let you change your travel plans with little to no penalties. If your travel plans are uncertain and you need to book flights more flexibly, knowing how to track down fares with change or cancellation options can help you avoid trip disruptions later on.

What is a flexible flight ticket?

A flexible flight ticket lets you cancel or change your flight. Basic fares often don't allow date, route, or other booking modifications—you must simply book a new ticket and pay the full price again. With a flexible ticket, you'll usually pay a slightly higher price upfront but can modify your booking, either for free or at a small fee.

Changeable tickets allow you to shift your departure time or date, usually for the cost of the fare difference (if any). If your new booking is cheaper, or if you don't rebook right away, you'll likely get a credit from the airline. Refundable tickets let you cancel your booking and receive a refund for the entire value of your ticket.

How to book flexible flights

To book flexible flights, search for trips on Skyscanner mostly as usual, but with a few extra steps:

  • Start your search: Choose your origin airport, destination, number of travellers, and your preferred fare class.

  • Filter by layover: If you have a preferred destination for your layover, check the left side of the page. Under "Layovers," you can see all the layover options and filter your flight options to avoid certain connection airports.

  • Check what's included: Once you’ve found your flight, review your booking options to see what's included with different fares, such as free cancellations or changes. If you don't see it under the fare details, click "More fares" to see what else is available.

  • Consider upgrading: If your first flight picks don't offer flexible options, consider a higher cabin class or see if you can upgrade for extra flexibility. Many airlines still offer changeable tickets for an extra fee.

  • Get covered for your entire trip: Flexible travel doesn’t stop at flights. You can book hotels and car rentals with us, then manage your booking if your plans change. Just hit the "Free cancellation" filter option when you search the website or app.

Find flights with flexible dates at low prices, and set up Price Alerts on Skyscanner to make it easier to spot cheaper fares before you book. Price Drops and alerts automatically track flexible airfare changes, so you don’t have to keep searching the same route every day.

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What do I need to know about flexible flight tickets?

Each airline has its own version of flexible tickets. Some offer fares at the point of purchase with varying levels of flexibility, while others offer add-ons at checkout to cover any future changes.

Each option comes with different conditions, such as the time frame for making changes and limitations on the types of changes you can make. Policies may also vary by what kind of refund you may be entitled to if you need to cancel your ticket (such as a full refund, a percentage of the ticket cost, or a voucher). It’s also worth noting that you may receive preferential flexibility options if you belong to an airline’s loyalty scheme.

See what major airlines offer when it comes to flexible ticketing.*

Airline

Change/cancellation offers

Fees (CAD**)

Air Canada

Standard, Flex, Comfort, and Latitude fares include change options. Latitude fares include refunds.

From $100

WestJet

Econo, Premium, and Business allow changes and cancellations for varying fees. EconoFlex, PremiumFlex, and BusinessFlex fares include free changes and cancellations.

From $100

Flair Airlines

TravelFLEX add-on allows one flight change without a change fee. Flight changes and cancellations are available on standard bookings.

From $89. TravelFLEX from $10

Porter Airlines

Flexible and Freedom fares include flight changes. Freedom fares include refunds. Flight Change add-on allows unlimited changes and cancellations for eligible bookings.

No fee on Flexible and Freedom fares. Flight Change ranges from $50 to $149.50

Aer Lingus

Advantage and AerSpace fares include free flight changes. Refunds are available on eligible fares.

$35–$210

British Airways

Flexible tickets include changes and refunds with no penalty fees.

From $93

easyJet

FLEXI fares include flight changes. Minor name corrections are free.

$65–$111

Emirates

Flex fares include changes and cancellations for a fee. Flex Plus fares include unrestricted changes and refunds.

No fee on Flex Plus

Iberia

Flexible Ticket includes one free change and voucher refund options.

No penalty on first Flexible Ticket change

Jet2

Date and name changes are available. Minor spelling corrections up to three letters are free.

$74

Qantas

Flex and Business fares include change and cancellation options.

$108

Qatar Airways

Economy and Business fare families include change and refund options.

Varying

Ryanair

Date, time, route, and name changes are available. Flexi Plus includes same-day flight or route changes.

$72–$256

Turkish Airlines

ExtraFly, PrimeFly, FlexFly, BusinessFly, and BusinessPrime include change or refund options.

$12–$69

Virgin Atlantic

Flex Fares include unlimited flight date changes and refund options.

From $110. Reward cancellations from $160.

Wizz Air

WIZZ Flex add-on includes online changes and WIZZ Account credit refunds.

$10–$50

*Ticket flexibility depends on a range of conditions, including arrival and departure points, routes, loyalty program benefits, and whether you make the changes online or through a call centre. Even if you're exempt from change fees, you'll usually pay the difference for the new flight. Most airlines issue full refunds for cancellations within 24 hours of booking. Carriers also vary the time limits for changes or cancellations according to airport, fare family, and operational needs.

**Currency exchanges are approximate as of May 23, 2026.

Start planning your next trip with Skyscanner

With flexible flights found with Skyscanner, it's easy to adjust your travel plans on the fly. Start your search now to get organized and ready for your next trip.

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Frequently asked questions: Flexible flights

Whether or not you can receive a cash refund for a flight you’ve voluntarily cancelled depends on the airline and ticket type. If the airline cancels your flight, you're entitled to a full cash refund, regardless of your ticket type. Airlines prefer to offer vouchers, since they ensure you come back to spend again. On higher fares, however, cash refunds are usually offered. Check with the airline before booking.

Whether you can make changes for free depends on the kind of flexible ticket you book. In general, standard or basic tickets don't offer any flexibility, whereas flexible tickets allow changes, though sometimes at an additional fee.

Airlines require that you select flight dates when booking tickets. However, if you buy a flexible flight ticket, you can move the flight date and time until the ticket’s validity period ends.

You can buy flexible tickets for last-minute flights if it's before check-in, but it's more common for itineraries with returns or multiple cities. Check the airline’s policy and terms carefully before you book.

Yes, you can buy flexible tickets for direct flights. Some airlines may also offer changes or cancellations on both legs of a flight with a stopover.

Flexible flight tickets are airline fares that allow changes or cancellations with lower fees or fewer restrictions than standard tickets. Flexible flight tickets may also include refundable options, same-day changes, or free rebooking.

Yes, many flexible tickets offer partial or full refunds, depending on the airline and fare type. A refund for a flexible ticket is usually easier to request than for a standard fare ticket.

Price Alerts track flight prices and notify you when fares increase or decrease for a selected route. Price Drops work by comparing current fares to previous prices and sending updates when the price falls.

You should book a flexible fare if your travel dates, destination, or plans may change. Standard fare usually costs less upfront but comes with stricter change and cancellation rules.

Skyscanner can help you find the best flight, hotel, and car rental deals for your next trip.

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