Airlines Offering Flexible Flights & Its Benefits

Last updated on Oct 4th, 2024 by Heena Ganotra

Booking a flexible flight is a great choice for people who don’t have any fixed travel plans and need more time for planning. For example, if you know when to leave but are uncertain about your return dates, it is wise to fly flexible. Most of these flights are available for a limited time, so now is the best time to book a ticket. 

What are Flexible Flights?

In plain terms, a flexible flight is when you can change or cancel your flight ticket without paying any additional fee. For example, if you have booked a ticket and are set to depart on the 20^th of June but you feel unwell before the flight, you can reschedule the flight to the next month or cancel it entirely without paying any additional fee. 

This system was put in place as a response to governments implementing lockdowns and travel restrictions on short notice. It was also a response to encourage people to quarantine if they contract the virus instead of travelling to prevent a financial loss. 

Many airlines will allow you to reschedule or cancel your tickets for other reasons. In some cases, this is free of charge while in others, you may need to pay the fare difference or cancellation fee. Booking cheap flexible flights can help you travel comfortably in these uncertain times. You don’t need to worry about forking out extra money because you feel ill and are in quarantine. 

Which Airlines Offer Flexible Flights in Australia?

Different airlines have different policies so you need to read every airline’s approach carefully before booking a flexible flight. Here’s a look at some of the most popular Australian airlines to see what their policies are like:

1. Jetstar Flexible Fare

Jetstar is Australia’s popular low-cost airline and it’s a subsidiary of Qantas. It offers one of the best flexible policies available:

• You need to purchase the ‘Jetstar Flex Bundle’ along with your ticket booking to avail yourself of the benefits. 
• If you have the flex bundle, you can cancel your booking at any time before the check-in and get a full refund. This refund is often in the form of airline credits and there is no cancellation fee. 
• Any changes to the travel dates, times, and names are free of cost. However, you may need to pay for the difference in fares wherever applicable. 
• Passengers are allowed to board an earlier or later flight instead of their current scheduled ticket on the same day. 

Be sure to read the Jetstar Flex Fare rules before you book the ticket to avoid any last-minute hassle. 

2. Qantas Fly Flexible 

Qantas airline is Australia’s largest and most popular airline. The company has a Fly Flexible policy in place to help passengers during the pandemic. However, the policy is only valid for flights booked before 30^th June 2022. Keep this date in mind when you look for flexible flights:

• Booking a Fly Flexible ticket allows you to change flight dates and times without paying any additional fees. However, you may need to pay for the difference in fare costs. 
• If you cancel your ticket, Qantas will refund the full amount in credits that you can use to book another ticket at a later date. This makes things easier to manage if you wish to travel at a later date. 

Be sure to understand the Qantas Flexi Fare rules carefully before you book. The policy is only valid for a limited time but the airline does offer other flexible fare options so you may be able to get flexible tickets even after the 30^th of June. 

3. Virgin Flexible Flights 

Virgin Australia also offers Virgin Flexi policy on bookings made before 30^th June 2022 and travel for up to 31^st December 2022. Here’s a look at what Virgin Australia has to offer:

• Passengers can make unlimited changes in their flight and booking details if they have booked a ticket before 30^th June and plan to travel before 31^st December. 
• Passengers can change destinations, times, and dates with no additional fee. However, you may need to pay for the difference in fare cost. 
• If you cancel the flight and request a refund, you can get the full price back in the form of airline credit without any fee. If you request any other mode of refund, you may need to follow their traditional cancellation policy and pay the required fees.

Look at the Virgin flight change rules carefully before you book a ticket so you don’t face any last-minute hassle.

4. Flexible Ticket Singapore Airlines 

As a well-respected airline and a popular choice for international travel, Singapore Airlines has also implemented its own Flexi flights policy. This policy is only valid on flights booked up to the 31^st of July, 2022. Here’s a look at their complimentary rebooking service:

• You can make unlimited changes to your ticket, including travel dates, times, and even destinations.
• If your flight is scheduled to depart after the 31^st and you make the changes after the aforementioned date, you are allowed one complementary change. 
• All changes must be made at least 2 hours before the departure time. 
• If there are any fare differences, you may need to pay them in full but there are no additional fees included. 

Look at the terms and conditions of Singapore Airlines before you book a ticket. After the date, you may need to pay additional fees for changes and cancellations. 

5. Emirates Flight Cancellation COVID

Emirates has implemented flexible flights option on all flights booked on or after 1^st August 2021. Their offer is valid until the 31^st of August, 2022. The policy states that:

• You can change your flight dates and times without paying any additional fee. 
• You are allowed to select a new flight or date between 24 and 36 months of your travel. 
• You can change the destination as long as you limit yourself to the same region. Look at the regions as defined by Emirates to get a clear idea of what changes you can make. 
• You may need to pay the difference between fare or tax for your rebooked flight. 

Take the time to read Emirates cancellation policy for COVID before you book your flight. If you are booking after the period has expired, you may still find flexible options. 
We recommend getting a travel insurance policy to protect yourself from costs related to flight changes, cancellations, and any unexpected events. Travel insurance will still be available after the fly flexible policies lapse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to book flexible flights?

A: Booking flexible flights is similar to booking regular flights. You just need to find the airline and travel schedule you prefer, read the terms and conditions of the airline to understand what is flexible, and then book a ticket. Alternatively, you can let MyTicketsToIndia do all of the legwork for you.

Q. Can I book flexible flight tickets on a direct flight?

A: Yes, you can book flexible flight tickets on direct flights and last-minute bookings as well. Be sure to read the airline’s policies and conditions carefully before you commit to a purchase.

Q. How long will airlines allow us to book flexible flight tickets?

A: Most airlines have implemented flexible cancellation and rescheduling policies in response to the pandemic and the travel restrictions placed by governments around the world. However, as travel restrictions have eased, travel has increased. Most airlines will likely scale back these flexible tickets in 2022.

Q. Can I cancel Flexi flights?

A: Yes, you can cancel flexible flights in most cases, just make sure you understand the guidelines provided by the airline before you book the tickets. Every airline has different cancellation rules and guidelines.

Well, this is all you need to know about Fly Flexible policies!

If you want to book a flexible flight ticket but don’t know how to go about it, MyTicketsToIndia can help. We have hardworking and dedicated travel agents who know just how to find the best ticket prices and deals. All you need to do is call 1800 860 816 or request a callback. We offer great discounts, exciting deals, and dedicated customer support when you book cheap air tickets to India from Australia or back, be it flexible or otherwise. 

About Heena | View Posts

A writer by both passion and profession, Heena Ganotra is "half agony, half hope" but all heart. And oh, she has been a book lover from the start! Her love for books is what convinced her to make a career in the wonderful world of words. She loves what she does and is out-and-out a satisfied soul with a wish to spread happiness and kindness in abundance. Insight- Some say she is living the best life anyone could because she reads, writes, travels, and makes merry. They’re right because what else does one really need! :)