UAE flight cancellations: Can you get a refund on a non-refundable ticket?

When a flight you have booked with Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, or flydubai is cancelled, the refund you receive depends on who cancelled the flight and the fare type you purchased. If the airline cancels your flight, you may have options for rebooking, a refund, or travel credit, depending on the specific circumstances. Conversely, if you cancel a non-refundable ticket yourself, the refund possibilities are more limited and vary according to the airline and fare rules.

Emirates provides certain flexibility for passengers affected by disruptions, allowing them to rebook or receive a refund depending on the situation. Etihad also provides refunds for passengers whose flights are cancelled by the airline, while also offering the option to rebook or convert ticket value into Etihad Credit. If you cancel a ticket yourself, refund options are more restricted, with Emirates only offering a refund of unused government taxes and airport fees for non-refundable fares.

In cases where a non-refundable ticket is cancelled, Emirates often issues a voucher for future travel instead of a cash refund.

Air Arabia's refund policies are fare-dependent, with passengers potentially receiving a full cash refund or credit, complimentary rebooking, or Air Arabia Credit for future travel. Basic fares are not refunded, while Value fares allow cancellation up to 24 hours prior to departure, and Ultimate fares allow cancellation up to eight hours before departure without penalty. flydubai usually does not offer cash refunds for cancellations but instead issues vouchers for future travel, refunding only applicable taxes for non-refundable fares.