Philippine Airlines Flight Cancellation: Refunds, Rebooking, and What to Do Next

Philippine Airlines (PR) has suspended its Manila flights to Doha, Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. Manila–Riyadh has resumed.

Here is each route’s status, your refund and rebooking options, and where stranded OFWs can get help.

Which Routes Are Affected?

Note: PAL extends these suspensions on a rolling basis as the security situation evolves. Manila–Riyadh resumed on 10 April 2026 and currently operates with a technical stop in Bangkok. Check PAL’s travel advisory page and our Philippine Airlines flight status guide for the latest before you travel.

The 3 June 2026 attack on Kuwait International Airport damaged Terminal 1 and forced a temporary shutdown. The airport has since partially reopened, but Terminal 1 stays closed and most foreign carriers — including PAL — remain suspended. Our Kuwait airport status guide tracks the latest.

What Are Your Options?

If your flight was cancelled by PAL due to the ongoing Middle East security situation, you have the following options under Philippine law and PAL’s disruption policy:

How to Request a Refund

Gather your information:

• Booking confirmation (reference code, e.g., ABC123)
• Ticket number(s)
• Passenger name(s) as they appear in your passport
• Original payment method details (if you used a credit card, have the last 4 digits)

Contact PAL by phone:

• Manila: (+632) 8855-8888 (Reservations and Customer Service)
• USA/Canada: 1-800-435-9725

Tell them your flight was cancelled and request a refund. Ask for a reference number for your refund claim.

Or contact via email: [email protected]

Include your booking reference, ticket number, and reason for refund. Request acknowledgment of receipt.

Expected refund timeline: PAL says refunds for disrupted flights are initiated within 5 to 10 banking days, depending on the payment method, although the final crediting time may vary by bank or payment provider.

Track your refund: Contact PAL and ask for refund status. Keep all correspondence (emails, SMS screenshots, call recordings).

For OFWs using local travel agents: If a travel agent booked your ticket, contact them first. They may process the refund with PAL on your behalf. However, ensure you get a written confirmation of the refund request from the agent.

How to Rebook Your Flight

Step-by-step guide for rebooking with PAL:

1. Check alternative dates: Review PAL’s latest advisory for your specific route, then identify the next available travel dates and choose the option that works best for your plans.
2. Contact PAL: Ask the airline to help you rebook your cancelled flight.
3. Confirm your new booking details:
   • New flight number
   • New departure and arrival dates/times
   • Any layovers or connections
   • Seat assignments (request these if not provided)
   • New confirmation code (you will receive a fresh reference code)
4. Update your travel documents:
   • Passport validity (must be valid for at least 6 months)
   • Visa status (if required for your destination)
   • Work permit or labour card (for OFWs)
5. Manage your booking online: Visit PAL Manage Booking to view, print, or modify your new booking.
6. Print your new boarding pass: 24 hours before your new flight departure, check in online or at the airport.

For OFWs rebooking to stay in their jobs: Once you have a confirmed new date, immediately notify your employer or recruitment agency in the Gulf. Provide them with your new flight details so they can arrange airport pickup and accommodation if needed.

What Stranded OFWs and Migrant Workers Need to Know

As of early June 2026, the Philippine government’s Middle East crisis alert levels are:

• Alert Level 4 (mandatory repatriation): Iraq, Syria, Iran
• Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation): Lebanon
• Alert Level 2 (no new deployments, non-essential travel restricted): Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain

After the 3 June strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain, check the DFA for any changes before you act.

If you are stranded in the Gulf, contact your employer, your nearest Philippine Embassy or Migrant Workers Office, and OWWA’s 24/7 hotline 1348 (from abroad, (+632) 1348) for shelter, cash aid, or a repatriation seat.

Government repatriation flights are ongoing — register with your embassy or OWWA, and keep all receipts for costs you incur.

If you are in the Philippines waiting to deploy, tell your employer about the delay and ask them to hold your job. Keep your original contract terms, and raise any dispute with the DMW hotline 8-722-11-44.

Your Passenger Rights

Under Philippine law (the Air Passenger Bill of Rights), when your flight is cancelled you are entitled to:

• Information: the reason for the cancellation and your options, without delay.
• Rebooking: the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost.
• Refund: a full refund of fare, taxes and surcharges if you choose not to rebook.
• Care: meals and communication, plus hotel accommodation if the airline is at fault.
• Compensation: possible only if the cancellation was the airline’s fault — not for security or airspace reasons.

PAL cancelled these flights for security and airspace reasons, so you are entitled to a refund or rebooking — but not to hotel accommodation or extra compensation.

For international trips, the Montreal Convention allows proven delay damages (up to 6,303 SDR per passenger, filed within 2 years), though airlines are usually not liable for war or airspace closures. If PAL refuses a valid refund or rebooking, file a free complaint with the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board within 2 years — no lawyer needed.

Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know

• War exclusion: standard policies usually do NOT cover cancellations caused by war, terrorism or conflict — read the fine print.
• Premium add-ons: some plans offer optional cover for trip cancellation, medical evacuation and belongings.
• Buying for a rebooked flight: look for flight delay/cancellation, emergency medical evacuation (vital in the Middle East) and baggage cover.
• For OFWs: check whether your employer’s health insurance includes emergency evacuation.

For a fuller breakdown, see our guide on whether travel insurance covers war-related flight cancellations.

Contact Information & Resources

Philippine Airlines (PR)

Philippine Government OFW Support Services

DFA Emergency Hotlines by Country (Middle East Crisis)

Tips for OFWs and Filipino Travellers During This Crisis

1. Act fast. Contact PAL and your travel agent immediately. Rebooking spots are filling quickly. The earlier you confirm your new date, the sooner you can leave.
2. Keep all receipts and documents. Save every email from PAL, your travel agent, your employer, and embassy. Take screenshots of SMS and WhatsApp conversations. If you buy meals or accommodation while stranded, keep receipts. You may need these for refund claims or compensation requests.
3. Do not trust unofficial agents or money lenders. If you are stranded and short on money, contact OWWA (1348), not a money lender. OWWA may provide assistance depending on the program and your eligibility.
4. Notify your employer immediately. Do not wait. Send an email with the PAL cancellation advisory and your new flight details. Ask for confirmation that your job is held and contract dates are extended. If there is any ambiguity, escalate to your recruitment agency.
5. Use official government channels for help. If you are in crisis (no money, no shelter, no food), contact OWWA (1348), your embassy, or the relevant DFA hotline in your country.
6. Stay informed about the Middle East security situation. Check PAL’s website, embassy advisories, and news sources for updates. If the conflict escalates, more flights may be cancelled. If the alert level rises to 4 in your country, mass repatriation may be ordered. Be prepared.
7. Plan your pocket money carefully. A multi-week delay while waiting for a rebooked flight may impact your savings plans. Plan accordingly. Do not borrow or spend money reserved for your bills.
8. Document your health. If you have a chronic condition (diabetes, hypertension, asthma), ensure you have enough medication for the delay. If you need a medical certificate renewed for your work, do it before you rebook so it is valid when you arrive. Contact the DMW for accredited health facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

My flight was cancelled. Does PAL have to refund me?

Yes. If your flight was cancelled for security or airspace reasons, Philippine law gives you the right to a full refund. PAL also offers rebooking and travel fund conversion (currently with a 20% bonus) under its disruption policies.

I booked through a travel agent. Who do I contact — PAL or the agent?

Contact your travel agent first. They should handle the refund or rebooking request with PAL on your behalf. However, verify in writing (email or SMS) that they have submitted your request. If the agent delays or refuses, contact PAL directly with your booking confirmation and ticket number.

How long does a refund take?

PAL says refund requests are initiated after 5–10 banking days, depending on the payment method used. Bank processing may still add more time after that. Ask PAL for a refund reference number and track the request.

Can I rebook on a different destination instead of my original route?

Possibly, but not automatically. PAL’s policy is to rebook you on the same route or a partner airline flying to the same destination. If you want a different destination, ask PAL directly because any change will depend on availability, fare rules, and any special waivers in effect.

I am stranded in the Gulf and my employer is threatening to fire me. What can I do?

Your employer cannot legally fire you due to a flight cancellation that is not your fault. Document your situation (screenshots of emails, recordings of conversations). Contact your recruitment agency in the Philippines and file a complaint with the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers). Call OWWA 1348 for emergency assistance. If you are in immediate danger, contact your country’s embassy immediately.

Can I claim additional compensation beyond my refund (e.g., for lost wages)?

Possibly, under the Montreal Convention or Philippine CAB rules, if the cancellation was the airline’s fault and caused documented losses. However, PAL may argue that security threats are “beyond control.” Gather all receipts, medical bills, proof of missed work (email from employer), and hotel costs. File a detailed claim with PAL in writing. If PAL refuses, file a complaint with the CAB (see contact section).

My OFW family member has a cancelled flight. Can I help them from the Philippines?

Yes. You can contact PAL on their behalf using their booking confirmation and ticket number. You can also:

• Call OWWA (1348) to report if your family member is stranded and needs emergency assistance
• Contact the relevant embassy hotline in the country where they are stranded
• Help them apply for a refund by gathering their documents and sending them to PAL or your local travel agent

Keep yourself and your family member updated via WhatsApp, phone, or messaging apps.

Do I need travel insurance for my rebooked flight?

Not required, but recommended if you have budget. Most standard travel insurance does not cover cancellations due to war or terrorism, so check the policy carefully. If you do buy insurance, it should cover medical evacuation (important in the Middle East), baggage loss, and delays caused by other factors (not security threats).

When will PAL resume its suspended Gulf flights?

Manila–Riyadh resumed on 10 April 2026 and currently operates with a technical stop in Bangkok. Manila–Doha is suspended until 30 June 2026 (with the 1 July Doha–Manila flight also cancelled), and Manila–Dubai until 2 August 2026. Kuwait and Bahrain remain suspended until further notice. PAL extends these dates on a rolling basis — check PAL’s travel advisory page or call (+632) 8855-8888.

My employment contract start date has passed because of the cancellation. Will my employer accept a late arrival?

Likely yes, given the circumstances. This delay is a force majeure event (beyond your control). Your employer should accept a delay caused by an airline cancellation due to regional security. Immediately notify your employer (via email with PAL’s cancellation advisory attached) that your flight was cancelled and you are rebooking. Request written confirmation that your contract start date is extended. If your employer refuses or threatens to cancel the contract, contact the DMW (8-722-11-44) or your recruitment agency for mediation.

Sources

1. Philippine Airlines — Travel Advisory Page
2. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
3. OWWA — Repatriation Services
4. Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board
5. Philippine News Agency — Middle East Crisis: Guide to PH Alert Levels
6. Gulf News — Philippine Airlines Extends Middle East Flight Suspension
7. CNN — Iranian Attacks on Kuwait Airport and Bahrain (June 2–3, 2026)
8. The Washington Post — Iranian Attack Hits Kuwait Airport
9. FlightGlobal — Kuwait Airport Flights Resume After Terminal 1 Damaged
10. Wego — Is Kuwait Airport Open? Terminals, Airlines and Flight Status

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.