Air China delay and cancellation compensation
0.25%
Cancels
Of its scheduled flights
85.39%
Arrives on time
Within 15 minutes
1,612
Flights measured
January 2025 – August 2026
The cancellation rate is the number that matters on this page: cancellation is what triggers a refund right. Delay, in the United States, does not.
Which rules apply to a Air China flight depends on where you take off
Air China is not based in a country with its own compensation scheme, so what you are owed follows the departure airport rather than the airline. Leaving an EU airport puts you under EC 261 whoever you fly; leaving a UK airport puts you under UK261; leaving a US airport gives you refund rights but no compensation.
The one rule that applies everywhere
If Air China cancels your flight and you decline the alternative, you are owed your money back for the unused portion — whatever the reason, weather included. A voucher is something you may accept, never something you can be required to take.
Where Air China flies from, and what applies there
| Departing from | Flights | Scheme that applies |
|---|---|---|
| China | 806 | No compensation scheme |
| United Kingdom | 806 | UK261 — cash compensation possible |
About Air China's record
Is Air China reliable?
Air China arrived on time 85.39% of the time across 1,612 flights, ranking 3 of 86 airlines measured. That is a good record by the standards of this data.
How often does Air China cancel flights?
0.25% of its scheduled flights were cancelled. Cancellation matters more than delay for a traveller: it is the outcome that costs a day, and the one that triggers a refund entitlement.
This page explains published rules and is not legal advice. AirlineGrades is independent and not affiliated with Air China. Confirm current thresholds with the relevant regulator before relying on them. The full guide →