Effective September 1st, new rules have come into force concerning passengers purchasing round-trip air tickets.
New rule for return tickets when missing a flight
Russian airlines will no longer be able to automatically cancel return tickets if passengers miss their first flight. The return tickets will remain valid if there are at least 24 hours between the outbound and return flights.
What to do if you miss your outbound flight
If you miss your outbound flight, you must contact the airline no later than two hours after the departure of the flight you were unable to board. This way, the carrier will be notified that the passenger will still need the return flight.
Refund for return ticket when missing a flight
In case of refusal to use the return flight, if the fare allows for a refund, the airline will be required to return the money. The carrier may only deduct its actual expenses: the refund processing fee, booking system service charges, ticket issuance fee, and payment receipt for excess baggage.
How it was before: ticket cancellation under carrier rules
Previously, according to Federal Aviation Rules, the possibility of return transportation in case of no-show for the first flight also existed, but no time frames were established. As a result, in practice, airlines, guided by internal rules, often canceled the entire itinerary if a passenger was late for the first flight.
