If you cancel your British Airways flight, whether or not you receive a refund depends on the type of ticket you purchased and when you cancel. British Airways allows full refunds if you cancel within 24 hours of booking, as long as your flight is at least seven days away. This applies to most fare types and is designed to give travelers some flexibility shortly after booking.

For refundable tickets, you can cancel at any time before departure and receive a full refund to your original form of payment. These tickets are usually more expensive but offer greater flexibility for changes and cancellations. Refunds are processed after cancellation and may take several days to appear, depending on your payment method.

Non-refundable tickets, on the other hand, do not offer a cash refund if canceled outside the 24-hour window. Instead, British Airways may issue a travel voucher for the value of your ticket, minus any cancellation fees. This voucher can be used toward future travel with British Airways but usually must be used within a certain time frame. Some of the lowest fare classes may not be eligible for vouchers or refunds at all, except for taxes and government fees.

If British Airways cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of your ticket type. You may also be offered the option to rebook on a different flight. If the cancellation was caused by an issue within the airline's control, such as a mechanical problem or staffing issue, you may be entitled to compensation or accommodations depending on the situation and local regulations.

When cancellations occur due to factors outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather or air traffic control restrictions, British Airways will still offer rebooking or a refund, but additional compensation is not always provided. You can also choose to receive a travel voucher instead of a cash refund if you prefer to rebook at a later date.

British Airways may also consider refunds in special cases like medical emergencies or the death of a close relative. Supporting documents are usually required for these exceptions, and approval is handled case by case.

For those who booked using travel agencies or third-party websites, cancellation and refund policies may vary slightly. In such cases, the refund process may involve the third party, and travelers should contact the agency directly to make changes or request a refund.

British Airways does not automatically refund fare differences if the price of your flight drops after you book, but flexible tickets may be rebooked at the lower fare, and the difference may be returned as credit or voucher.

In summary, if you cancel your British Airways flight, your refund eligibility depends on your ticket type and when you cancel. Refundable tickets offer full refunds, non-refundable tickets may offer travel credit, and all passengers are eligible for a refund if British Airways cancels the flight. Always check your fare rules at the time of booking to understand your options clearly.