Quick Summary

  • Primary Update: IndiGo Plan B allows passengers whose flights are cancelled, rescheduled by one hour or more, or delayed by two hours or more to rebook an alternate flight at zero cost or claim an immediate 100% full refund.
  • Transit Impact: Applies across IndiGo's domestic network and international operations. Passengers bypass standard cancellation penalties (₹3,000–₹3,500 domestic) and fare difference charges.
  • Traveler Advice: Access the dedicated online portal (goindigo.in/plan-b.html) using your PNR and last name immediately upon receiving schedule disruption notifications. Select bank account refund rather than airline credit shell if you do not plan to travel within twelve months.

When airline schedules encounter operational disruptions, aircraft maintenance bottlenecks, or adverse weather conditions, passenger itineraries face sudden adjustments. For travelers flying with IndiGo—India's largest carrier by fleet size and passenger volume—schedule changes trigger a dedicated recovery mechanism known as IndiGo Plan B.

Plan B is an automated service framework designed to protect consumer rights during involuntary schedule modifications. Under standard conditions, modifying an IndiGo reservation or requesting a voluntary cancellation incurs steep administrative fees that often consume the entire base fare. However, when IndiGo initiates a flight cancellation, advances a departure, or postpones a departure beyond defined thresholds, Plan B waives change penalties, eliminates fare differences, and provides an option for a complete cash refund.

Navigating this mechanism alongside statutory mandates established by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ensures that travelers do not surrender hard-earned money to unnecessary cancellation fees or unwanted credit vouchers.

What Triggers IndiGo Plan B?

Plan B does not apply to routine voluntary travel alterations requested by a flyer. Instead, it activates automatically in the airline's central reservation system under specific operational triggers:

  1. Flight Cancellation: IndiGo permanently withdraws a scheduled flight from its operating timetable prior to departure.
  2. Major Flight Delay: A scheduled departure is delayed by two hours or more beyond the original ticketed departure time.
  3. Flight Rescheduling / Departure Advance: IndiGo alters the flight timing by one hour or more (either departing earlier or later than originally scheduled) compared to the initial booking confirmation.

Once any of these conditions occurs, the booking status on the carrier's passenger name record (PNR) changes to "Plan B Eligible." IndiGo delivers notification via automated SMS, WhatsApp message, and email to the contact coordinates registered during booking, providing a direct link to the Plan B execution interface.

Core Rights Under Plan B: Rebooking vs. Full Refund

When an itinerary becomes eligible for Plan B, the traveler holds two mutually exclusive statutory options:

Option 1: Free Flight Rebooking (Change Flight)

Passengers can rebook an alternate IndiGo flight on the same route (or authorized alternate city pairs) without paying change fees or fare differences. Key parameters include:

  • Travel Window: Alternate flights can generally be selected up to seven days before or after the original departure date, subject to seat inventory availability.
  • Fare Difference Exemption: Even if the newly chosen flight costs substantially more than the original fare, the airline absorbs 100% of the price differential.
  • Seat & Add-on Transfer: Pre-purchased ancillary services, such as seat assignments, 6E Prime bundles, and prepaid excess baggage, transfer automatically to the revised flight segment. If the specific seat category is unavailable on the new aircraft, the ancillary fee becomes refundable.

Option 2: 100% Full Refund (Cancel Flight)

If the revised flight schedule conflicts with personal meetings, connecting international sectors, or vacation plans, the traveler may decline alternate travel and cancel the booking entirely:

  • Zero Cancellation Deductions: Standard cancellation fee slabs (₹3,000 to ₹3,500 on domestic sectors) are completely waived.
  • Complete Tax & Fee Return: Base fare, fuel surcharges, User Development Fees (UDF), Airport Security Fees (ASF), and GST are refunded in full.
  • Direct Account Credit: Refunds can be routed directly back to the original source of payment (credit card, debit card, UPI, net banking, or corporate travel desk).

IndiGo Cancellation Fees, Plan B, and DGCA Regulations

The operational table below compares passenger costs and entitlements across involuntary Plan B events, standard voluntary passenger cancellations, and DGCA regulatory frameworks:

Cancellation & Disruption Scenario Airline Fee / Penalty Fare Difference Charge Refund Eligibility Statutory Regulatory Reference
IndiGo Flight Cancelled by Carrier ₹0 (Completely Waived) ₹0 (Completely Waived) 100% Full Refund to Original Source DGCA CAR Sec 3, Series M, Part IV
IndiGo Flight Rescheduled (≥1 Hour) ₹0 (Completely Waived) ₹0 (Completely Waived) 100% Full Refund to Original Source IndiGo Plan B Operational Rules
IndiGo Flight Delayed (≥2 Hours) ₹0 (Completely Waived) ₹0 (Completely Waived) 100% Full Refund to Original Source DGCA CAR Sec 3, Series M, Part IV
Voluntary Cancellation (>3 Days Out) ₹3,000 or Airfare (Lower) Not Applicable Balance Base Fare + All Statutory Taxes IndiGo Conditions of Carriage
Voluntary Cancellation (0–3 Days Out) ₹3,500 or Airfare (Lower) Not Applicable Statutory Taxes (UDF + ASF) Only IndiGo Conditions of Carriage
Voluntary Cancellation (<2 Hours Out) 100% Airfare Retained Not Applicable Only UDF and ASF Taxes Refundable DGCA CAR Sec 3, Series M, Part II
DGCA 24-Hour Free Look-In Window ₹0 (Zero Penalty) Not Applicable 100% Full Refund to Original Source DGCA CAR Sec 3, Series M, Part IV
DGCA Cancellation Compensation (<24h) Airline Pays ₹5,000–₹10,000 Not Applicable Full Refund + Statutory Compensation DGCA CAR Sec 3, Series M, Part IV

DGCA 24-Hour Free Look-In Cancellation Policy

Beyond airline-specific Plan B procedures, Indian civil aviation regulations mandate a statutory cooling-off protection known as the 24-Hour Free Look-In Policy. Promulgated under DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV), this provision allows passengers to cancel or correct bookings without penalty:

Conditions for the 24-Hour Free Look-In

  1. Direct Booking Requirement: The flight booking must be completed directly through the airline's official website or official mobile application.
  2. Advance Booking Lead Time: The reservation must be made at least seven days (168 hours) prior to the scheduled departure time for domestic flights.
  3. Execution Window: The cancellation or modification must be executed strictly within 24 hours of the initial ticket purchase.
  4. Name Spelling Adjustments: Within this 24-hour window, passengers can also correct minor typographical spelling errors in passenger names (up to three characters) without incurring name-change administrative penalties.

If an itinerary fulfills these conditions, the carrier cannot assess administrative deductions or convenience fee forfeitures on cancellation.

Statutory DGCA Delay and Cancellation Compensation

When an airline cancels a flight without giving adequate advance notice, Indian law provides financial compensation over and above full ticket refunds.

Under DGCA directives:

  • Notice Greater Than Two Weeks: If the carrier informs the passenger of cancellation at least two weeks before departure, it must offer alternate flight options or a full refund, with no additional financial compensation required.
  • Notice Between 24 Hours and Two Weeks: The airline must arrange an alternate flight departing within two hours of the original schedule or issue a full refund.
  • Notice Under 24 Hours or Terminal Denials: If the airline cancels without 24 hours prior notice, or if a passenger arrives at the airport on time and finds the flight cancelled, the carrier must provide:
    • An immediate seat on an alternate flight, OR
    • A full refund of the ticket, PLUS
    • Cash compensation based on scheduled block flying time:
      • Flights up to 1 hour: ₹5,000 or one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, whichever is less.
      • Flights between 1 and 2 hours: ₹7,500 or one-way basic fare plus fuel charge, whichever is less.
      • Flights exceeding 2 hours: ₹10,000 or one-way basic fare plus fuel charge, whichever is less.

Exception Notice: Airlines are exempt from paying financial compensation when cancellations arise from extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as meteorological hazards (dense fog, storms), air traffic control directives, political instability, or bird strikes.

Traveler Logistics Guide

Step 1: Navigating the IndiGo Plan B Online Interface

  1. Open your web browser and navigate directly to goindigo.in/plan-b.html.
  2. Input your active PNR / Booking Reference (a six-character alphanumeric code) and the passenger's Last Name or registered Email Address.
  3. The dashboard displays your disrupted itinerary alongside a high-visibility badge reading "Your flight schedule has been changed. You are eligible for Plan B."
  4. Choose between two action buttons: Change Flight or Cancel Flight & Refund.

Step 2: Selecting an Alternate Flight

  1. If choosing Change Flight, browse the available schedule grid. The interface displays all scheduled departures within a seven-day envelope.
  2. Select your preferred new departure date and time. Notice that the price indicator reflects ₹0 fare difference.
  3. Confirm passenger details and click Proceed to Rebook.
  4. The system updates the existing PNR and issues revised e-tickets to your email address and WhatsApp within two minutes. Check-in status resets, requiring you to complete fresh digital web check-in.

Step 3: Executing a 100% Cash Refund (Avoiding the Credit Shell Trap)

  1. If choosing Cancel Flight & Refund, review the itemized breakdown.
  2. Ensure the cancellation fee displays as ₹0.00.
  3. Pay close attention to the payment refund destination. IndiGo may offer an instant Credit Shell / Wallet Voucher by default.
  4. If you want the money returned to your bank account, select the option marked Refund to Original Payment Method.
  5. Under DGCA mandates, refunds for transactions paid via credit card, debit card, or UPI must be processed to the issuing bank within seven business days. For cash bookings made at airport ticketing counters, refunds must be issued immediately in cash or through verifiable bank transfer within seven days.

Step 4: Bookings Made Through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

If your ticket was purchased via a third-party portal (such as MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Cleartrip, or Yatra):

  • You can still rebook your alternate flight directly on IndiGo's website using Plan B without interacting with the third-party agency.
  • However, if you choose a Full Refund, IndiGo releases the refunded capital back to the original booking agent's commercial consolidator account. You must retain the IndiGo cancellation acknowledgement reference number and contact your travel agency to release the funds back to your personal payment card or bank account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose any alternate flight date under IndiGo Plan B?

Yes, provided seats remain available in the same cabin class. IndiGo permits passengers to shift their travel date up to seven days prior to or seven days after the originally scheduled flight date at zero additional fee or fare difference. If you require a travel date beyond that window, you should opt for a 100% full refund and purchase a new ticket independently.

How do I ensure my refund goes to my bank account rather than an IndiGo credit shell?

During the Plan B cancellation flow on goindigo.in, the platform prompts you to select your preferred refund channel. Do not accept a credit voucher unless you intend to book another IndiGo flight within twelve months. Select "Refund to Original Mode of Payment." Once submitted, retain the cancellation confirmation number; the funds will reflect on your card or bank account within seven business days as mandated by DGCA regulations.

Does the DGCA 24-hour free look-in policy apply if I booked my flight through a travel agent?

No. DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements specifically stipulate that the mandatory 24-hour zero-penalty cancellation look-in window applies to reservations booked directly through the airline's official channels (the carrier's website or app). Bookings arranged through online travel agencies or offline travel agents are bound by the agency's commercial terms and conditions, which often impose independent cancellation processing charges.

What are my rights if my IndiGo flight is delayed by four hours while I am waiting at the airport terminal?

Under DGCA passenger rights regulations, when an airline delay exceeds two hours on domestic routes (or three to four hours on longer sectors), the carrier is legally obligated to provide complimentary refreshments and snacks at the departure boarding area. If the delay extends past two hours, you also gain the right to exit the itinerary under Plan B to claim a full refund or rebook onto a flight the following day. If an overnight delay occurs, the airline must arrange complimentary hotel accommodation and airport transfers.