Qantas Flight Cancellation: Refunds, Rebooking and What to Do Next

Qantas’s own flights keep operating, but Middle East airspace closures still reroute its Europe services and disrupt codeshare flights on Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Here’s what’s affected, the current refund and rebooking rules, and what to do next.

Which Qantas Routes Are Affected?

Qantas’s own long-haul network does not overfly the Middle East, so most Qantas-operated flights are running normally. For the full network picture, see the Qantas flight status guide.

Two Europe services are still rerouting to avoid restricted airspace:

The bigger disruption is to Qantas codeshare flights on Emirates and Qatar Airways, where thousands of passengers hold Qantas-coded tickets. Both partners are rebuilding their Australian schedules, but not all routes are back.

For a fuller route-by-route picture, see the Emirates flight status and Qatar Airways flight status guides.

Qantas Refund and Cancellation Policy

Qantas has two active commercial policies. If you booked a Qantas-coded flight on Emirates and want a fee-free date change, you can manage it through Manage Booking or the Qantas App. For codeshare flights on other partners, you need to call Qantas.

General Middle East airspace closure policy

If you hold a Qantas (081) ticket booked on or before 31 May 2026 for travel between 28 February and 31 May 2026, you can choose:

• a fee-free refund,
• fee-free Flight Credit (fare difference may apply), or
• a fee-free date change, with rebooking for travel on or before 31 August 2026 (subject to availability).

QF9/QF33 rerouting policy

A separate policy covers passengers on QF9 (Perth–London) and QF33 (Sydney–Paris) specifically. It applies to Qantas (081) tickets issued on or before 30 March 2026 for scheduled departures on or before 26 July 2026. Eligible passengers can rebook to an alternative Qantas flight or request a refund.

How to Check If Your Qantas Flight Is Cancelled

1. Start with Wego’s flight tracker. Enter your departure city, destination, and date. Wego shows real-time status, delays, and cancellations across all airlines including Qantas. This is the fastest way to confirm your flight’s current status.
2. Check your Qantas booking email. Qantas automatically notifies passengers on affected routes. Look for subject lines referencing “flight schedule changes” or “waiver” and click the link to manage your booking.
3. Log into your Qantas account at qantas.com. Go to “Manage My Booking,” enter your booking reference and surname, and view real-time status, including any rebooking options.
4. Call Qantas customer service. From Australia: 13 13 13. From overseas: +61 2 8222 2439. For flights within 24 hours: 13 11 31 (Australia) or +61 2 9433 2329 (overseas). Have your booking reference and passport number ready.
5. Monitor Qantas official channels. Check the Qantas homepage and social media for schedule updates as the Middle East situation evolves.

Qantas Contact Information

Have your booking reference ready before calling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Perth–London flight still operating?

Yes. QF9 Perth–London is operating via a stopover in Singapore (now designated QF209), adding about 3 hours to the journey. Qantas has not set an end date for the Singapore stopover and says it will review the routing once Gulf airspace is declared safe.

What about the Sydney–Paris (QF33) route?

QF33 is operating but routing via Singapore to avoid restricted airspace, and Qantas plans to review the routing in late July 2026. A separate commercial policy covers QF9 and QF33 passengers with tickets issued on or before 30 March 2026 for departures on or before 26 July 2026.

Can I downgrade from Business to Economy to get a faster rebooking?

Qantas’s fee-free rebooking policy is for travel in the same cabin. If the same booking class is unavailable, Qantas allows the lowest available booking class within the same cabin. If the offered alternatives don’t suit you, a refund is available.

If I rebook via Singapore, can I break the journey and visit Singapore?

Not automatically. Qantas’s disruption policy offers a date change, Flight Credit, or refund, but it does not include a free stopover in Singapore on the rerouted service. If you want to stop over, you need Qantas to rebook it that way specifically.

What if I miss my rebooked connection due to the delays?

If your onward flight is on the same booking, Qantas will rebook you on the next available Qantas flight acceptable to you, without charge. If a delay or cancellation occurs within 72 hours of departure, this rebooking is automatic.

My flight was cancelled and I booked a replacement with another airline. Can Qantas reimburse me?

Under the Australian Consumer Law, yes, if Qantas had no suitable alternative flight available within a reasonable time. Contact Qantas with your original and replacement bookings and request reimbursement of the difference. If Qantas refuses, escalate through the Airline Customer Advocate or lodge a complaint at aviationcomplaints.gov.au.

Can I claim compensation on top of a refund?

Not automatically. Qantas says compensation is generally not payable for disruptions outside its control, which includes the current Middle East airspace closures. For EU/UK-departing flights, EU261/UK261 compensation is similarly not payable when extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption. Your duty-of-care entitlements (meals, accommodation, communication) still apply regardless.

Can I use my Flight Credit on any Qantas route?

Flight Credits are generally valid for bookings and travel within 12 months of the original booking date. They can be used online for trips departing from the country where the original ticket was issued. For departures outside that country, multi-city itineraries, or Jetstar flights, contact Qantas.

My booking includes codeshare flights. Am I covered by the waiver?

If the flight is Qantas-operated (QF flight number), you are covered by the Qantas waiver. If it is operated by a partner airline (e.g., Emirates with an EK number, or British Airways with a BA number), that airline’s own waiver policies apply. Check your booking confirmation to identify the operating airline.

I booked my Qantas flight recently. Am I eligible for the waiver?

The general Middle East policy covers flights booked on or before 31 May 2026 for travel between 28 February and 31 May 2026, with rebooking for travel on or before 31 August 2026. The separate QF9/QF33 policy covers tickets issued on or before 30 March 2026 for departures on or before 26 July 2026. Check which policy applies to your booking.

Sources

1. Qantas – Travel Updates
2. Qantas AgencyConnect – Commercial Policy for Middle East Airspace Closure
3. Qantas – Your Rights Under the Australian Consumer Law
4. Qantas – Compensation and Flight Refunds Policy
5. Smartraveller – Middle East Conflict Updates
6. Emirates – Travel Updates (Australia)
7. Qatar Airways – Travel Alerts
8. Airline Customer Advocate – Complaint Resolution for Australian Airlines
9. Aviation Complaints Commissioner – Australian Government

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.