Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair’s Flight Change Policies

Post originally Published March 31, 2024 || Last Updated March 31, 2024

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Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair's Flight Change Policies - - Knowing Icelandair's 24-Hour Cancellation Policy


Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair’s Flight Change Policies

Icelandair offers a generous 24-hour cancellation policy on most fares, allowing travelers to cancel their booking up to 24 hours after purchase for a full refund. This policy provides flexibility in case your travel plans change last-minute.

To take advantage of the 24-hour cancellation window, you must cancel your Icelandair booking no later than 24 hours after purchase. Cancellations can be made online via Icelandair's website or mobile app, or by calling their customer service center. Make sure to have your booking reference number handy when cancelling.

Once you cancel within 24 hours of booking, Icelandair will refund the total fare amount back to your original form of payment. Refunds typically process within 7 days. Note that add-on purchases like seat assignments and baggage fees are also refundable when cancelling within 24 hours.
If you booked your ticket through a third-party site, you'll need to cancel directly through that site within 24 hours to receive a full refund. Icelandair will not handle cancellations or refunds for bookings made via third-party sites.

Keep in mind Icelandair's 24-hour policy only applies to new bookings. If you want to change an existing booking that's outside the 24-hour window, you'll have to pay change fees and fare differences, which can be substantial.

What else is in this post?

  1. Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair's Flight Change Policies - - Knowing Icelandair's 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
  2. Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair's Flight Change Policies - - Icelandair Voucher Value and Expiration Rules
  3. Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair's Flight Change Policies - - Icelandair Hotel and Meal Vouchers - What You Get

Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair's Flight Change Policies - - Icelandair Voucher Value and Expiration Rules


When Icelandair cancels or significantly delays a flight, they may issue a voucher for future travel instead of providing a full refund. The value and expiration date for these travel vouchers depend on the circumstances of the disruption.
For flight cancellations due to extraordinary events outside Icelandair's control, such as weather or air traffic control issues, the voucher value will be equal to the amount paid for the unused flight segments. These extraordinary event vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of issue.

If Icelandair cancels a flight for commercial reasons, like schedule changes, the voucher value may be up to 25% more than the original ticket value. Increased value compensates for inconvenience. Commercial cancellation vouchers expire one year after originally scheduled departure date.
Vouchers for delays over 4 hours on Icelandair operated flights are equal to 20% of the original one-way or return ticket value. Delay vouchers are valid for 6 months. Note that Icelandair does not compensate for delays under 4 hours.
Icelandair travel vouchers can be used as partial or full payment for new bookings in the same cabin class as original ticket. Vouchers may also be transferable if the original booking was refundable. Combining multiple vouchers on one new booking is allowed.

When redeeming a voucher, travelers need to call Icelandair reservations or visit a ticket office. Online booking is not possible. Providing voucher codes at checkout will adjust the total price due. Any unused voucher value is forfeited after the expiration date passes.

Grounded in Iceland: Navigating Icelandair's Flight Change Policies - - Icelandair Hotel and Meal Vouchers - What You Get


When an Icelandair flight is significantly delayed or cancelled, causing an overnight stay to become necessary, they may provide hotel and meal vouchers to impacted travelers. The value and usage rules for these vouchers depend on the specific circumstances.
For flight disruptions requiring an overnight hotel stay in Iceland, Icelandair will typically provide vouchers to cover the cost of an airport hotel stay and ground transportation to/from the airport. Meal vouchers worth around $15 per traveler may also be provided for dinner, breakfast, and lunch if applicable. Icelandair staff at the airport will determine voucher amounts based on the situation.

If the disruption occurs at an international connection point outside of Iceland, Icelandair will arrange for accommodations and meals through their partner airlines in that location when possible. However, they do not guarantee availability of hotel rooms in all connection cities. Travelers may need to book and pay upfront, then submit receipts for reimbursement consideration after returning home. Reimbursement limits apply.
When using Icelandair hotel vouchers in Iceland, travelers will need to book rooms directly with partner hotels, not through online travel sites. The voucher code acts as payment at check-in. Meal vouchers can be used at restaurants in the designated airport hotel or surrounding area.

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