Ethiopian Airlines Cancellation Policy (2026) — Change Fees, Refunds & How to Cancel
For flights to or from the United States, you can cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund without penalty, provided the booking was made at least 7 days before departure.
24-Hour Rule
Yes — free cancellation within 24 hours of booking. For flights to or from the United States, you can cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund without penalty, provided the booking was made at least 7 days before departure.
Cancellation Fees
| Fare Class | Fee |
|---|---|
| Basic Economy | Economy Promo: Non-refundable or high cancellation fee applies. |
| Main Cabin | Economy Semi-Flex/Flex: Cancellations permitted with a fee, or fully refundable depending on the specific fare rules. |
| Premium | Not applicable. |
| Business | Cloud Nine (Business): Generally refundable, sometimes with a small administrative fee. |
Change Fees
| Fare Class | Fee |
|---|---|
| Basic Economy | Economy Promo: Changes permitted with a fee (typically $100-$200 depending on route) plus fare difference. |
| Main Cabin | Economy Semi-Flex/Flex: Changes permitted, often free or with a lower fee, plus fare difference. |
| Premium | Not applicable (Ethiopian does not have a standard Premium Economy class). |
| Business | Cloud Nine (Business): Changes generally permitted free of charge, subject to fare difference. |
Refund Method
Refunds are processed to the original form of payment. Non-refundable tickets may be eligible for travel vouchers.
Same-Day Change
Same-day flight changes may be permitted on certain routes for a fee, subject to availability.
No-Show Policy
A no-show fee applies if you fail to cancel your booking before departure. The ticket may lose its value depending on the fare conditions.
How to Cancel
- Visit the Ethiopian Airlines website and navigate to 'Manage Booking'.
- Enter your booking reference and last name to access your reservation.
- Select the option to cancel your flight and review any applicable fees or refund amounts.
- Confirm the cancellation and retain the confirmation email for your records.
Tips
- Always check the specific fare rules attached to your ticket before purchasing, as fees vary significantly by route and fare type.
- If your flight is significantly delayed or canceled by the airline, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of the fare type.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations.
- For tickets booked through a travel agency, you must contact the agency directly to process cancellations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Ethiopian Airlines cancellation policy?
- Ethiopian Airlines cancellation policy allows free cancellation within 24 hours of booking (must be booked 7+ days before departure for US flights). After 24 hours: Main Cabin — economy semi-flex/flex: cancellations permitted with a fee, or fully refundable depending on the specific fare rules.. Basic Economy — economy promo: non-refundable or high cancellation fee applies..
- Can I cancel a Ethiopian Airlines flight for free?
- Yes — For flights to or from the United States, you can cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund without penalty, provided the booking was made at least 7 days before departure. Economy Semi-Flex/Flex: Cancellations permitted with a fee, or fully refundable depending on the specific fare rules.
- What is Ethiopian Airlines's change fee?
- Main Cabin: Economy Semi-Flex/Flex: Changes permitted, often free or with a lower fee, plus fare difference.. Basic Economy: Economy Promo: Changes permitted with a fee (typically $100-$200 depending on route) plus fare difference..
- How do I get a refund from Ethiopian Airlines?
- Refunds are processed to the original form of payment. Non-refundable tickets may be eligible for travel vouchers.
- What happens if I no-show on Ethiopian Airlines?
- A no-show fee applies if you fail to cancel your booking before departure. The ticket may lose its value depending on the fare conditions.