Why Understanding the Policy Matters
Flight cancellations happen for any number of reasons—family emergencies, sudden schedule changes, or disruptions on the airline’s side. Knowing the Aegean Airlines refund policy before you book can spare you unexpected costs and hours of frustration when plans shift.
Fare Families: The First Key to Refund Eligibility
Aegean sells three main economy fares (GoLight, Flex, and ComfortFlex) plus Business Class. Each comes with different refund rules:
- GoLight – The most restrictive and lowest‑cost ticket. Once issued, these fares are non‑refundable unless Aegean cancels the flight.
- Flex – Mid‑tier fares that allow refunds as credit vouchers if you cancel at least 30 minutes before departure; cash refunds are possible for a fee.
- ComfortFlex – Fully refundable minus a small administrative charge, provided you submit the request before the flight departs.
- Business Class – Generally the most flexible, offering full cash refunds when cancelled up to the departure cutoff time stated in the fare rules.
How to Request a Refund
- Online – Log in to “Manage My Booking,” enter your six‑character PNR and last name, click “Cancel booking,” and confirm your choice. Eligible refunds or vouchers appear instantly.
- Aegean Call Centre – Ideal for multi‑passenger or multi‑segment itineraries. Agents can calculate fees and process partial refunds.
- Travel Agencies – If you booked through a third party, the agency must submit the refund request. Aegean cannot override their ticketing control.
- Airport Ticket Desk – Use only for last‑minute cancellations; desks close 45 minutes before domestic and 60 minutes before international flights.
Refund Timelines and Methods
- Credit‑card purchases are typically processed within 7–10 business days.
- Bank‑transfer or cash bookings may take up to 30 days for the refund to appear.
- Voucher refunds (Future Flight Credit) are issued instantly and valid for 18 months from the date of cancellation. Vouchers can be used multiple times until the balance reaches zero.
Special Circumstances and Automatic Entitlements
Under EU 261/2004 regulations, if Aegean cancels a flight or delays it more than five hours, passengers may request a full refund regardless of fare type. Additional compensation could be owed if the disruption is within the airline’s control.
Medical emergencies documented by a hospital certificate, bereavement in an immediate family, or jury‑duty summons may qualify for fee‑waived refunds on otherwise non‑refundable fares. Submit scanned proof to refunds@aegeanair.com within 30 days of the original flight date.
Avoiding Common Refund Pitfalls
- Don’t assume flexible means fully refundable – Flex fares often refund as vouchers, not cash.
- Cancel before a no‑show – Once the flight departs, even ComfortFlex tickets lose refund eligibility.
- Check currency conversions – Refunds are credited in the original payment currency; bank exchange rates may differ from your purchase rate.
- Review connecting flights – Cancelling one leg of a through ticket can void the entire itinerary.
How Flight Vouchers Work
Aegean’s voucher system is generous: vouchers are transferable, combinable, and valid on Olympic Air code‑shares. You may split the value across multiple bookings and even pay taxes in cash while using a voucher for the base fare. However, once issued, vouchers themselves are non‑refundable.
COVID‑19 Legacy Policy
Although pandemic‑era blanket waivers ended in mid‑2023, Aegean still offers “pandemic contingency” for routes subject to sudden governmental closure. If authorities ban entry within 10 days of travel, all fare types revert to voucher‑eligible status without fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund on ancillary services? Yes, seat‑selection and baggage fees are refundable if the entire ticket is refunded.
What happens to my Miles+Bonus points? Award tickets redeposit miles for €20; elite members get one free redeposit per year.
Are taxes always refunded? Government taxes are refundable even on GoLight fares; request them via email if the online form denies cash refund.
Final Thoughts
The Aegean Airlines refund policy rewards travelers who plan ahead and act quickly. GoLight may be tempting for the lowest price, but Flex or Comfort Flex provide a financial safety net if life intervenes. Always cancel before becoming a no‑show, store electronic copies of receipts, and read fare rules at booking. With these steps, you can navigate refunds with confidence and keep control of your travel budget—no matter how your itinerary changes.
