Did you know that you may be eligible for an Air Passenger Duty refund, even if your ticket is labeled as non-refundable? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to claim some of your money back! Here’s how to get the APD refunds from your carrier.
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What is APD?
Air Passenger Duty (APD, also referred as an airport tax) is paid by almost all passengers flying from a UK airport. At the moment, APD tax starts from £6.50 for domestic flights, £13 for an economy-class, short-haul flight and can reach a three-digit number for a first-class long-haul flight. See the HM Revenue and Customs website for a full breakdown of rates. APD is paid by you on booking, but it’s not collected from the airline by the tax authorities until you actually fly.
Here’s another point to keep in mind: Air Passenger Duty was eliminated for children under 12 starting from May 1st, 2015, and for those under 16 from March 1st, 2016. If you travelled with your children during that period and booked their seats in the lowest class of travel, you may be eligible for a refund of the APD. This eligibility depends on the specific dates of the flight and the booking.
Currently, children under 16 years old don’t pay the APD tax.
What are the APD bands?
From 1 April 2023, there are four destination bands. There is a ‘domestic’ band for destinations in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland only, and international bands A, B, and C for all other destinations.
| Band | Distance from London to destination capital city |
|---|---|
| A | 0 to 2,000 miles: |
| B | 2,001 to 5,500 miles |
| C | over 5,500 miles |
What are the current APD rates?
| Destination bands | Reduced rate | Standard rate | Higher rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | £6.50 (£7 from 1 April 2024) | £13 / (£14 from 1 April 2024) | £78 |
| Band A | £13 | £26 | £78 |
| Band B | £87 (£88 from 1 April 2024) | £191 (£194 from 1 April 2024) | £574 (£581 from 1 April 2024) |
| Band C | £91 (£92 from 1 April 2024) | £200 (£202 from 1 April 2024) | £601 (£607 from 1 April 2024) |
How do I claim back APD from the airline?
The procedures for claiming an airport tax refund vary from airline to airline. Some will refund it automatically, whereas others require you to fill out a form. Each airline should publish details of how to claim back APD tax on its own website. If you cannot find this, call the airline and request details.
HMRC has confirmed that there is no deadline to claim back APD.
Can I have an example of how to claim APD?
Sure, you can have a whole bunch. We looked at five different airlines to see how easy it is to claim back your tax.
easyJet
easyJet make if fairly easy to claim back your child’s APD. For international flights, just sign in on their website and confirm the ages of your child/children by entering their passport details under ‘Manage my booking’. Once you’ve done that, you should receive your refund automatically. If you booked a domestic flight though, you’ll need to request and fill out an APD confirmation form.
Read also: easyJet hand luggage explained, from new allowances to current fees
Ryanair
You’ll need to fill out an online form in order to claim back APD from Ryanair. Head to their Refund Hub for more instructions.
Read also: all you need to know about Ryanair’s cabin baggage policy
If you have a ticket with easyJet or Ryanair, it’s important to note that these airlines have commercial agreements with various airports and may not always pay airport taxes. If you didn’t initially pay airport taxes, it’s clear that you wouldn’t be eligible for a refund.
British Airways
Similarly to easyJet, British Airways just requires you to enter your child’s travel document details on their ‘Manage my booking’ portal, which can be found on their homepage. Once you’ve entered your child’s age, the refund should happen automatically – but bear in mind that the airline requires you to enter the information at least 72 hours before your flight departs. If you booked a domestic flight, you’ll need to contact the airline directly: full details can be found on their Rebook and Refund page.
Jet2
Like BA and easyJet, Jet2 just require you to fill in your child’s travel document details on the ‘Manage my booking’ page of their website, but you can always contact the airline if you have any difficulties.
OK, I tried to claim but I’m getting nowhere with the airline. Can anyone help with the APD refunds?
If you require further assistance, check the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website for information on passenger rights and travel issues. The travel association ABTA can also help to resolve disputes and give advice.
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