Cancelled flights: your emergency guide

As airport disruption continues, here’s what to do if you find yourself caught up in the chaos, says Nick Trend

We are not out of the woods yet. Flights are still being cancelled and the problem looks set to con- tinue through the summer. If it happens to you, the quicker you act the better. Here is how to get ahead of the pack and minimise pain.

CANCELLATIONS ON THE DAY – OUTBOUND

1. Get online fast

Sometimes you can quickly rebook with the same airline – but, to continue your holiday, you may need to make a fresh booking with another. Which? warns that doing this and trying to claim it back as an expense “is very risky and may only work if your reason for travel is time-sensitive, such as a child’s wedding or job interview. It’s advisable only to take this step once you have exhausted all other options… and not to accept a refund or cancel your existing booking, as this will end the airline’s obligation to get you home and could make it harder to claim back the cost of your alternative flight.”

Waste no time in getting online before alternatives sell out. For fresh bookings, Skyscanner.net is a good starting point because it includes indirect flights – a useful fall back – but book direct with the airline rather than following a link to an online agent.

2. Check your insurance

Does it cover losses you may face as a result of the cancellation? Not all do.

3. Sort other arrangements

If you have booked independently, you need to gauge quickly whether or

Only connect: if your outbound flight is cancelled, get online fast and rebook not you will be able to salvage or abandon the holiday. You will need to warn the following that you will be late, or try to postpone or cancel the booking: Hotel/villa It may be tricky to get a refund, depending on the terms, but the sooner you contact the hotel or villa company, the better your chance of rescuing the situation.

Car hire Contracts vary, so you may be able to cancel for a refund or postpone, or you may not. If you are going to arrive late, it is vital to let the company know or the car may be reallocated. Transfers See car hire, above.

4. Contact your operator

If you booked with a tour operator, all the practical issues should be sorted for you – but alert the company to the cancellation immediately. It may not know.

5. Claim compensation

You may be entitled to compensation for cancellations that occur within 14 days of departure, but rules are complex and amounts vary, so check our guide at telegraph.co.uk/tt-flight-refunds

RETURN CANCELLATIONS

You have similar rights – including to compensation – on the return flight, but you are in a different situation. For rebooking, see point 1. Otherwise:

6. Insist on accommodation

If you need to stay extra nights and the airline won’t help, you will have to arrange accommodation yourself and claim back the cost. The quickest way to find somewhere is through a site like Booking.com. Keep things reasonable – three or four-star, not five – and be sure to keep the receipt for accommodation and any essential spending on meals.

7. Extend airport parking

If your return is delayed you may be charged premium rates for the extra length of stay when you exit the car park. It may be cheaper to call the booking agent and extend the booking.

8. Tell your employer

It is worth putting in a call or email to explain the situation and arrange to work remotely until you can get back.

CANCELLATIONS IN ADVANCE If your flight is cancelled before the departure day, you are in a less stressful situation. But react quickly – especially if you want to rebook a flight or holiday. And check your compensation rights.