Norse Atlantic's Cancellation Policy: What You Need to Know
If you've booked a flight with Norse Atlantic, the new low-cost airline offering affordable travel across the Atlantic, it's important to understand their cancellation policy. Like any airline, Norse Atlantic has specific rules and fees around canceling or changing your reservation. In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the Norse Atlantic cancellation policy, covering everything from standard cancellation fees to exceptional circumstances that may warrant a full refund.
Before we get started, it's worth noting that airline policies can change from time to time, so it's always a good idea to double-check the latest information on the Norse Atlantic website or with their customer service representatives.
The Basics of Norse Atlantic's Cancellation Policy
Norse Atlantic's cancellation policy is fairly straightforward, but there are a few key points to keep in mind:
1. Ticket Types and Cancellation Fees
Norse Atlantic offers three main types of tickets: LowFare, LowFare+, and Premium. The cancellation fees vary depending on the type of ticket you've purchased and the route you're flying.
For LowFare tickets (the airline's most basic and affordable option), the cancellation fee is typically $100 per person for flights within Europe, and $200 per person for transatlantic flights to/from the United States. However, these fees can change, so it's always best to check the specific fees at the time of booking.
LowFare+ tickets, which offer additional benefits like seat selection and a checked bag, have slightly higher cancellation fees. For flights within Europe, the fee is usually $150 per person, and for transatlantic flights, it's $300 per person.
Finally, for Premium tickets (Norse Atlantic's business class offering), the cancellation fees are the highest, typically $250 per person for flights within Europe and $400 per person for transatlantic flights.
2. Cancellation Timeframe
In addition to the cancellation fees, Norse Atlantic also has specific timeframes within which you must cancel your flight to be eligible for a refund (minus the applicable cancellation fee).
For flights within Europe, you generally have up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure time to cancel your reservation and receive a refund (minus the cancellation fee).
For transatlantic flights to/from the United States, the timeframe is slightly longer – you typically have up to 7 days before your scheduled departure time to cancel and receive a refund (minus the cancellation fee).
It's important to note that these timeframes are approximate and can vary depending on your specific flight and booking details. Always check the exact cancellation timeframe when you book your flight.
3. Cancellation Process
To cancel your Norse Atlantic flight, you'll need to contact the airline's customer service team. You can do this by phone, email, or through their online cancellation portal (if available).
When you cancel, you'll need to provide your booking reference or ticket number, as well as the names of all passengers traveling on the reservation. Norse Atlantic will then process your cancellation request and issue any applicable refunds (minus the cancellation fee) back to the original form of payment used to book the flight.
Exceptional Circumstances: When You May Be Eligible for a Full Refund
While Norse Atlantic's standard cancellation policy applies in most situations, there are certain exceptional circumstances where you may be eligible for a full refund, without paying any cancellation fees. These circumstances include:
1. Flight Cancellations or Significant Delays Caused by Norse Atlantic
If Norse Atlantic cancels your flight or experiences a significant delay (typically defined as a delay of more than 5 hours), you may be entitled to a full refund, regardless of the type of ticket you purchased.
In these situations, Norse Atlantic should proactively offer you the option of a refund or rebooking on an alternative flight. However, if they don't, you can reach out to their customer service team and request a full refund, citing the flight cancellation or significant delay as the reason.
2. Schedule Changes by Norse Atlantic
If Norse Atlantic makes a significant change to your flight schedule (such as changing the departure or arrival time by more than a few hours), you may be eligible for a full refund, even if you've booked a non-refundable ticket.
Norse Atlantic should notify you of any schedule changes and provide instructions on how to request a refund or change your booking. If you're not satisfied with the new flight times, you can request a full refund.
3. Government-Imposed Travel Restrictions
In the event of government-imposed travel restrictions, such as border closures or mandatory quarantine requirements, Norse Atlantic may offer full refunds for affected flights, even for non-refundable tickets.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, many airlines (including Norse Atlantic) provided full refunds or travel credits to passengers whose flights were impacted by travel restrictions.
If you're unable to travel due to government-imposed restrictions, contact Norse Atlantic's customer service team and provide documentation of the relevant restrictions to request a refund.
4. Medical Emergencies or Bereavement
In cases of medical emergencies or the death of an immediate family member, Norse Atlantic may offer a full refund or waive any applicable cancellation fees, even for non-refundable tickets.
You'll need to provide documentation of the medical emergency or bereavement, such as a doctor's note or a death certificate, when requesting a refund or cancellation due to these circumstances.
5. Travel Advisories or Safety Concerns
If there are significant safety concerns or travel advisories issued for your destination, Norse Atlantic may allow for full refunds or changes to your itinerary without penalty.
For example, if there's a natural disaster, political unrest, or other safety issue at your intended destination, Norse Atlantic may permit cancellations and refunds, even for non-refundable tickets.
Again, it's essential to contact the airline's customer service team and provide documentation of the specific safety concerns or travel advisories to request a refund or itinerary change.
Tips for Navigating Norse Atlantic's Cancellation Policy
While Norse Atlantic's cancellation policy may seem straightforward, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you navigate it more effectively:
1. Purchase Travel Insurance
One of the best ways to protect yourself against unexpected cancellations or changes is to purchase travel insurance. Many travel insurance policies will cover you for trip cancellations due to covered reasons, such as illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances.
When booking your Norse Atlantic flight, consider adding travel insurance to your reservation. This can provide peace of mind and potentially save you from paying expensive cancellation fees if you need to cancel your trip.
2. Book Refundable Tickets (If Possible)
If you're worried about having to cancel your flight or think there's a chance your plans may change, consider booking a refundable ticket from the start. While refundable tickets are more expensive than non-refundable options, they provide the flexibility to cancel or change your reservation without paying any cancellation fees.
For many travelers, the added cost of a refundable ticket may be worth it for the peace of mind and flexibility it provides.
3. Monitor Flight Status and Notifications
Before your scheduled departure, be sure to monitor your flight's status and any notifications from Norse Atlantic. If the airline cancels or significantly delays your flight, you may be eligible for a full refund, even if you've booked a non-refundable ticket.
By staying on top of flight updates and notifications, you can quickly identify any situations that may warrant a refund or cancellation without penalty.
4. Be Persistent (But Polite)
If you believe you're entitled to a full refund or waived cancellation fees due to exceptional circumstances, but Norse Atlantic is initially unwilling to provide it, don't give up. Be persistent, but polite, in making your case.
Clearly explain your situation and provide any relevant documentation or evidence to support your claim. If the customer service representative you initially speak with is unable to help, politely escalate your request to a supervisor or manager.
While Norse Atlantic may not always agree to provide a refund or waive cancellation fees, being persistent and presenting a well-documented case can sometimes sway their decision.
5. Consider Alternative Options
If Norse Atlantic is unwilling to provide a full refund or waive cancellation fees, even in exceptional circumstances, you may want to explore alternative options.
For example, you could try to change your travel dates or destination to avoid cancellation fees, or you could explore options for travel credits or vouchers instead of a cash refund.
Additionally, if you paid for your Norse Atlantic flight with a credit card, you may be able to dispute the charges with your card issuer if the airline is being unreasonable or violating their own policies.
Conclusion
Understanding Norse Atlantic's cancellation policy is crucial for anyone planning to book a flight with this new low-cost airline. While the policy may seem straightforward at first glance, there are nuances and exceptional circumstances that can impact your eligibility for a full refund or waived cancellation fees.
By familiarizing yourself with the various ticket types, cancellation timeframes, and exceptional circumstances outlined in this guide, you'll be
