IndiGo Flight Cancellation Charges: Domestic Fare Families, Refund Rules, Rescheduling Fees, and DGCA Passenger Rights Guide 2026

Quick Summary

• Primary Update: IndiGo segments domestic passenger fares across three core fare families—Saver, Flexi Plus, and Super 6E—each featuring differentiated cancellation penalties, date modification charges, and baggage allowances.
• Transit Impact: Voluntary domestic cancellation penalties on Saver fares range from ₹3,000 (cancelled >4 days before departure) to ₹3,500 (cancelled 0–4 days before departure), capped at the base fare plus fuel surcharge. Statutorily mandated airport fees (UDF, PSF, and GST) are 100% refundable by law across all tickets, even in no-show situations.
• Traveler Advice: Bookings made directly through IndiGo's official portal or mobile application qualify for a zero-fee 24-hour DGCA look-in cancellation window if booked at least seven days before departure.

Navigating flight cancellations and date changes on India's largest domestic carrier requires understanding the specific tariff rules governing your ticket. IndiGo structures its commercial fares across distinct product tiers designed for different travel needs. While discounted promotional tickets impose significant penalties for voluntary changes, premium fare bundles and statutory consumer aviation mandates offer strong financial safeguards.

Indian aviation law under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) establishes strict minimum consumer protection standards. These regulations dictate mandatory 24-hour cooling-off windows, tax refund entitlements, and compensation scales that override restrictive airline conditions.

IndiGo Fare Families and Cancellation Penalty Slabs

IndiGo offers three standard domestic economy fare families: Saver, Flexi Plus, and Super 6E, alongside its dedicated dual-class IndiGo Stretch cabin on select high-density metro corridors. Each tier features distinct conditions regarding voluntary cancellations, flight modifications, and baggage allowances.

FARE FAMILY       | CANCELLATION CHARGE        | RESCHEDULING FEE       | INCLUDED PERKS

Saver             | ₹3,000 (>4d) / ₹3,500 (≤4d)| ₹2,500 (>4d) / ₹3,000  | 15 kg check-in, 7 kg
Flexi Plus        | ₹499 (up to 2h before dept)| ₹0 + Fare Difference   | Free standard seat
Super 6E          | ₹0 (Complimentary)         | ₹0 + Fare Difference   | 25 kg bag, XL seat
IndiGo Stretch    | ₹0 to ₹1,000 (By class)    | ₹0 + Fare Difference   | Business recliner

1. Saver Fare

• Market Positioning: The baseline, price-sensitive tariff class purchased by most leisure and retail passengers.
• Cancellation Charge (> 4 Days / 96 Hours Before Departure): ₹3,000 per passenger per flight segment, or the combined total of base fare and fuel surcharge, whichever is lower.
• Cancellation Charge (0 to 4 Days / Within 96 Hours of Departure): ₹3,500 per passenger per flight segment (capped at the base fare and fuel surcharge). Cancellations must be initiated at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure. Any request submitted within 2 hours of departure is classified as a No-Show.
• Rescheduling Fee: ₹2,500 per passenger per segment if changed more than 4 days before departure; ₹3,000 if modified within 4 days of departure, plus any applicable difference in airfare.
• Allowances: Standard 15 kg checked baggage allowance and 7 kg cabin baggage. Seat selection and onboard snacks require separate ancillary purchases.

2. Flexi Plus Fare

• Market Positioning: Geared toward travelers requiring modification flexibility without committing to a full business bundle.
• Cancellation Charge: A discounted fee of ₹499 per passenger per flight segment when cancelled up to 2 hours prior to departure. The remainder of the base fare, fuel surcharge, and all government taxes are refunded.
• Rescheduling Fee: ₹0 change fee. Passengers may alter travel dates or flight timings an unlimited number of times up to 2 hours before departure, paying only the difference in airfare if the new flight operates in a higher tariff bracket.
• Allowances: Standard 15 kg checked baggage, 7 kg cabin baggage, complimentary standard seat selection, and a complimentary pre-booked snack combo.

3. Super 6E Fare

• Market Positioning: IndiGo's comprehensive all-inclusive economy package built for corporate travelers and family vacations requiring maximum luggage and flexibility.
• Cancellation Charge: ₹0 cancellation fee when cancelled at least 2 hours prior to departure. A full refund of the base fare, fuel charges, and airport taxes is issued directly to the original payment source.
• Rescheduling Fee: ₹0 modification fee. Date and flight adjustments are complimentary, subject only to any fare difference.
• Allowances: An expanded 25 kg checked baggage allowance (10 kg above the standard domestic limit), standard 7 kg cabin baggage plus a personal laptop bag, complimentary choice of any seat on the aircraft (including premium XL extra-legroom rows), complimentary snack combo, and Fast Forward priority check-in and baggage priority tagging.

4. IndiGo Stretch (Business Cabin)

• Market Positioning: Premium business class seating featuring customized 38-inch pitch coupe seats on select Airbus A321neo routes.
• Cancellation and Change Conditions: Highly flexible cancellation fees ranging from ₹0 to ₹1,000 depending on the specific booking subclass, alongside zero-fee date changes, dedicated priority baggage, and tailored catering.

Domestic Fee Comparison Matrix

The table below outlines the fee structure across IndiGo domestic flight categories:

Note: All cancellation and rescheduling requests must be processed at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights and at least 4 hours prior for international sectors. Requests initiated after this cutoff fall under the airline's No-Show policy.

The DGCA 24-Hour Free Look-In Window

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation enforces statutory consumer safeguards under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part II, Clause 5.3. Under this framework, air travelers are granted a mandatory zero-penalty cancellation and amendment window:

1. Eligibility Criteria:
   • The ticket must be booked directly through IndiGo's official direct channels (goindigo.in or the official IndiGo mobile application).
   • The itinerary must be reserved at least 7 days (168 hours) before the scheduled departure date and time of the flight.
2. Cancellation Entitlements:
   • Passengers may cancel the booking within 24 hours of ticket issuance without paying any cancellation penalty, administrative fee, or processing deduction.
   • IndiGo must refund 100% of all ticket components, including the base fare, airline fuel surcharge, and government airport taxes.
3. Name Correction Rights:
   • If an error is noticed in the passenger's name spelling within 24 hours of booking, correction of up to three characters is executed free of charge without cancelling the reservation.

Statutory Tax Refund Rules: Non-Refundable Tickets and No-Shows

A widespread misconception among passengers is that cancelling a deeply discounted Saver ticket results in a total loss of funds. Under DGCA regulatory mandates, airlines are legally prohibited from withholding government and airport levies when air transportation services are not rendered.

TICKET COMPONENT                  | FARE CLASS         | REFUND STATUS

Base Fare                         | Saver              | Subject to ₹3,000/₹3,500 penalty
Base Fare                         | Flexi Plus         | Subject to ₹499 penalty
Base Fare                         | Super 6E           | 100% Refundable
Fuel Surcharge (YQ)               | Saver              | Subject to fee offset
User Development Fee (UDF)        | All Fare Classes   | 100% Refundable by Law
Passenger Service Fee (PSF)       | All Fare Classes   | 100% Refundable by Law
Airport Development Fee (ADF)     | All Fare Classes   | 100% Refundable by Law
Goods & Services Tax (GST)        | All Fare Classes   | 100% Refundable by Law
Convenience Fee                   | All Fare Classes   | Non-refundable on voluntary cancel

The Base Fare Cap Protection

DGCA guidelines stipulate that the cancellation fee charged by an airline can never exceed the total value of the passenger's basic fare and airline fuel surcharge. For instance, if an advance promotional ticket has a base fare of ₹1,400 and a fuel surcharge of ₹350 (total ₹1,750), IndiGo cannot deduct the standard ₹3,000 or ₹3,500 fee. The deduction is capped at ₹1,750.

All statutory airport levies (User Development Fee, Passenger Service Fee, and GST) must be returned in full. Airlines cannot generate a negative refund balance or demand supplemental payments during cancellation.

Involuntary Disruptions and IndiGo Plan B

When IndiGo alters flight operations due to weather, air traffic control restrictions, technical maintenance, or internal operational constraints, passenger rights transition from commercial tariff rules to statutory passenger charter protections.

Triggers for IndiGo Plan B

IndiGo's automated "Plan B" protocol activates whenever:

• A flight is cancelled by the airline.
• A flight departure is delayed by 2 hours or more (for flights with scheduled block times under 2.5 hours).
• A flight departure is delayed by 3 hours or more (for flights with scheduled block times exceeding 2.5 hours).
• A flight departure is rescheduled or advanced by 1 hour or more from its original ticketed schedule.

Passenger Options Under Plan B

When Plan B is triggered, passengers are entitled to choose one of two options without penalty:

1. Alternate Flight Rebooking: Change the travel date or flight time to any alternate IndiGo flight operating on the same route within a 14-day window (7 days prior to 7 days after the original travel date) with zero rescheduling fees and zero fare difference charges.
2. Full Cash Refund: Cancel the reservation for a 100% full refund of all amounts paid, including convenience fees and ancillary add-on purchases.

Traveler Logistics Guide

Processing an IndiGo ticket cancellation or refund requires adhering to specific administrative workflows depending on how your booking was created.

Step 1: Online Cancellation via IndiGo Digital Portal

1. Visit goindigo.in or open the IndiGo mobile application.
2. Click on the Edit Booking or Manage Booking tab on the home banner.
3. Enter your 6-character Booking Reference (PNR) and the passenger's Email ID or Last Name.
4. Select the specific itinerary leg or passenger names you wish to cancel.
5. Review the financial summary page. The platform displays an itemized deduction showing base fare penalties, retained convenience fees, and the net refundable balance.
6. Choose your preferred refund destination:
   • Original Payment Method: Funds remit to your bank account, credit card, or UPI handle.
   • IndiGo Credit Shell: A digital credit wallet tied to your PNR, valid for 12 months for subsequent ticket purchases.
7. Confirm the transaction. An instant cancellation confirmation number and SMS notification are dispatched immediately.

Step 2: Third-Party Online Travel Agency (OTA) Bookings

If your ticket was purchased through an online agency (such as MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, EaseMyTrip, or Yatra) or a corporate travel desk:

• Voluntary cancellations should be initiated directly through the travel agent's application to synchronize booking records.
• If you cancel directly through an IndiGo airport service counter or telephone customer support during an irregular operational event, obtain an official cancellation slip or confirmation email showing that the ticket has been marked for an involuntary full refund.
• DGCA regulations mandate that airlines must remit refund proceeds back to the travel intermediary within 7 working days, and the intermediary must transfer the sum to the consumer without unwarranted delays.

Step 3: Refund Settlement Timelines

• Credit Card / Debit Card Transactions: Credited within 7 working days to the issuing bank.
• UPI and Net Banking Transactions: Credited within 7 working days.
• Airport Cash Bookings: Remitted immediately in cash at the airport ticketing counter, or via bank transfer within 7 business days.
• IndiGo Credit Shells: Generated instantly upon cancellation and available for immediate booking redemption.

Pre-Cancellation Action Checklist

• Determine if your booking meets the 24-hour DGCA look-in criteria (booked within the last 24 hours, departure at least 7 days away).
• Check your ticket's fare category (Saver, Flexi Plus, or Super 6E) to verify the expected penalty slab.
• Confirm your cancellation at least 2 hours prior to domestic flight departure to prevent classification as a No-Show.
• In the event of an airline-initiated reschedule exceeding 1 hour, refuse automatic re-accommodation if unsuitable and trigger IndiGo Plan B for a free alternative flight or 100% cash refund.
• Capture a screenshot of the net refund breakdown before final submission for billing records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cancellation fee for an IndiGo domestic flight?

For standard domestic Saver fares, the cancellation fee is ₹3,000 per passenger per flight segment if cancelled more than 4 days (96 hours) before departure, and ₹3,500 if cancelled within 4 days of departure (up to 2 hours prior to scheduled departure). On Flexi Plus tickets, the cancellation fee is ₹499. On Super 6E tickets, cancellation is complimentary (₹0 fee). In all cases, the fee cannot exceed the base fare plus fuel surcharge.

Can I cancel an IndiGo flight ticket within 24 hours without a fee?

Yes. Under DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, passengers can cancel tickets within 24 hours of booking with zero cancellation charges, provided the reservation was made directly via IndiGo's official website or mobile app and the scheduled flight departure is at least 7 days (168 hours) away from the booking time. A full 100% refund is credited to the original payment method.

Will I get any money back if I miss an IndiGo flight or have a non-refundable ticket?

Yes. If you miss your flight or hold a non-refundable Saver ticket, you are classified as a No-Show, which forfeits the base fare and airline fuel surcharge. However, DGCA regulations mandate that all statutory airport charges—including the User Development Fee (UDF), Passenger Service Fee (PSF), Airport Development Fee (ADF), and Goods & Services Tax (GST)—must be refunded 100% back to the passenger without administrative deductions.

What is the difference between IndiGo Plan B and voluntary ticket cancellation?

Voluntary ticket cancellation occurs when a passenger chooses to cancel their flight for personal reasons, subjecting the ticket to standard commercial cancellation penalties based on the fare family. IndiGo Plan B is an involuntary protection protocol triggered when IndiGo cancels, significantly delays (2+ hours), or reschedules a flight (>1 hour). Under Plan B, the passenger is entitled to reschedule to another flight within 14 days at no extra cost or claim a 100% cash refund without paying any cancellation penalty.