I Request a Refund After Trip.com and Air Arabia Canceled My Connecting Flight Timing

On June 20, 2025, I booked a multi-leg flight via Trip.com for July 9, flying Bangkok to Sharjah, then Sharjah to Istanbul, operated by Air Arabia. When I purchased the ticket, the layover time in Sharjah was nearly 55 minutes, which was acceptable.

However, on July 5, I received an email stating that the departure time for my first leg (Bangkok to Sharjah) had been changed, leaving me with less than 20 minutes of transfer time—which is clearly insufficient. I immediately attempted to reschedule the flight, but there were no suitable options available. I then submitted a cancellation and refund request through Trip.com.

Despite my prompt action and the fact that the schedule change was initiated by the airline, not me, my refund has still not been processed. As of today—after the scheduled flight date has already passed—I have received no proper explanation. I reached out to Trip.com customer service multiple times, and all I’ve been told is that they are “waiting for approval from the airline.”

This delay and lack of accountability are unacceptable. I didn’t change the itinerary—Air Arabia did, yet I am left chasing both companies to get back the 273.23 € I rightfully deserve. I feel completely ignored and powerless as a customer. I couldn’t even find a proper representative to clearly explain the situation or support my claim.

I demand that Trip.com and Air Arabia refund my full ticket amount immediately. I also urge travelers to be extremely cautious when booking flights through either company. Their lack of professionalism and communication can completely ruin your travel plans—especially if you're abroad and relying on proper connections.