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Emergency

Missed the outbound flight: may the airline cancel the return?

Many airlines cancel the return flight if a passenger did not take the outbound flight: the so-called no-show clause. Such clauses often unreasonably disadvantage consumers and are therefore invalid in many cases.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Clauses that provide for the automatic forfeiture of the return flight if the outbound flight is not taken often unreasonably disadvantage consumers and are, according to case law, invalid in many cases (§ 307 BGB).
If the clause is invalid, you keep the right to carriage on the return flight. If the airline demands an additional payment for using it, you can object to that.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the booking

    Look at the fare conditions and the no-show rule.

  2. 2

    2. Contact the airline

    Insist in good time on carriage on the booked return flight.

  3. 3

    3. Object

    Reject unjustified additional demands or the cancellation in writing.

  4. 4

    4. Claim costs

    If you have to rebook at a higher price, claim the extra costs back.

How to spot the scam

  • The return flight is canceled without warning.
  • A high additional payment is demanded for using the return flight.
  • You hastily rebook at a high price without objecting to the cancellation.

Frequently asked questions

May the airline let the return flight lapse?

Often not. Clauses under which the return flight automatically lapses if the outbound flight was not taken are, according to case law, invalid in many cases because they unreasonably disadvantage consumers (§ 307 BGB). Then your right to carriage remains.

What can I do if the return flight was canceled?

Object to the cancellation in writing and insist on carriage. If the airline demands an additional payment, reject it. If you have to rebook at a higher price at short notice, you can claim the extra costs as damages.

Does this also apply to budget airlines?

The validity of the clause depends on how it is drafted, not on the fare model. No-show clauses can be invalid even with cheap fares. Check the specific clause and the circumstances of your booking.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.