ECJ ruling: Airlines must refund booking fees

Feb 17 2026 Travel trends

Flight cancellations are stressful and refunds can be confusing, especially when you booked through an online travel agency (OTA) or booking portal. A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ judgment of 15 January 2026: Case C-45/24) makes things clearer: airlines may have to refund the full amount paid, including booking and mediation fees, not just the base ticket price.

What the ECJ ruling means

If your flight is cancelled and you booked via a third-party portal, you can have a stronger claim that the total price you paid should be refunded. That can include:

the ticket fare, and

the booking or agency fee charged by the platform, in certain cases

Why this matters

In many cancellations, passengers received only a partial refund from the airline and then had to chase the remaining fee from the booking portal. The ECJ’s decision reduces that two-party problem by shifting more responsibility to the airline for the full refunded amount.

The ruling followed a dispute involving travellers from Austria who booked KLM flights via an online portal. After the flight was cancelled, the airline refunded most of the cost but did not return the portion linked to the portal’s commission or booking fee. The case reached the ECJ, which clarified that when the fee is treated as a fixed part of the total price, it can be considered part of what must be refunded.

What to do if your flight is cancelled

If you booked through a portal and receive a partial refund, take these steps:

Collect proof of payment: Booking confirmation, invoice or receipt, payment proof

Request a full refund from the airline: Ask for the total amount paid, not only the fare

Get everything in writing: Keep emails and screenshots of the refund summary

Escalate if needed: If refused, ask for a written reason and consider ADR or enforcement routes depending on your country

Refunds vs EU compensation

This ruling focuses on refund scope, meaning ticket price plus booking fees. It does not automatically grant EU261 compensation, which depends on timing and the reason for cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled and you booked via a portal, the ECJ ruling strengthens your position: in many cases, the airline must refund the full price paid, including booking fees, so you do not have to pursue multiple parties.

How MYFLYRIGHT can help

If your airline only refunded part of your payment, or you are unsure whether booking fees should be included, MYFLYRIGHT can support you in asserting your rights. We help you review your case, identify which amounts may be recoverable, and handle the communication and enforcement process with the airline. This can be especially useful when airlines reject claims, dispute booking fee refunds, or delay payments.