# Airlines and refunds
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 16, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052 "2022-11-16T20:21:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/1 "2022-11-16T20:21:24Z")
There seems to be a big deal being made about how some airlines are being forced to issue refunds for canceled flights. Out of the six listed only one, Frontier, is an American company. Is there some reason the major American companies aren’t included? How many of us fly Air India, TAP Portugal, Aeromexico, El Al or Avianca compared to United, Spirit, Delta, Southwest et al? .
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### Author:  [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/2 "2022-11-16T21:11:43Z")
Both [EU](https://www.eutravelrights.eu/home/air-passenger-rights/flight-cancellation) and [US](https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/refunds) laws mandate reimbursement, among others.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/3 "2022-11-16T21:29:25Z")
> [@MikeF](#):
>
> Is there some reason the major American companies aren’t included?
I assume because the major American companies issued refunds as necessary and appropriate, unlike Frontier or the other carriers named.
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### Author:  [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2022, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/4 "2022-11-17T10:31:06Z")
> [@MikeF](#):
>
> There seems to be a big deal being made about how some airlines are being forced to issue refunds for canceled flights. **Out of the six listed** only one, Frontier, is an American company.
[Bolding mine]
Listed where?
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### Author:  [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/5 "2022-11-17T18:45:27Z")
From a CNN article
“Ultra low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines is the only US airline to face fines related to refunds. Foreign based carriers face the majority of fines: Air India, TAP Portugal, Aeromexico, El Al and Avianca.”
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/6 "2022-11-17T19:54:21Z")
OK, now I’m confused. Are they companies forced to give refunds OR companies fined due to not following the rules/law on issuing fines?
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/7 "2022-11-17T20:01:27Z")
Yes.
Southwest, at least, refunded my Covid-era tickets quite promptly. First they offered travel vouchers, but when the plague entered 2021 they just refunded the purchase price without me asking.
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### Author:  [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2022, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052/8 "2022-11-18T17:41:02Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#):
>
> companies fined due to not following the rules/law
That is my understanding.