If the airline downgrades me from business to economy, what refund am I owed?
Under EU 261 Article 10, involuntary downgrades trigger an automatic ticket-price reimbursement: 30% for flights up to 1,500 km, 50% for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights up to 3,500 km, and 75% for flights over 3,500 km. Paid within 7 days.
The refund is based on the price of the ticket for the flight in question, not on the difference between fare classes. Get the downgrade in writing at the gate before you fly. Loyalty benefits (lounge access on the arrival side, priority baggage) do not offset the refund. The US does not have a comparable federal rule — refunds for downgrades on US domestic flights are governed by the airline's contract of carriage, so check your airline's tariff and file a DOT complaint if the refund is refused.
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Last verified 2026-07-29.