Easter travel could be far from plane sailing...
With airline staff shortages causing problems, SARAH MARSHALL offers a rundown of what to do if your plans are disrupted
Being the first major school break since Covid restrictions were dropped in the UK and in many parts of Europe, the Easter holidays were destined to be a bumper time for the travel industry.
But airlines are struggling to keep up with demands due to staff shortages and sudden sickness due to Covid.
So what happens if your flight is delayed or cancelled?
When can I get compensation?
Airlines are obliged to fork out if your plane is delayed or cancelled through their fault; but this depends on where you’re travelling to or from, and who owns the plane. Departures from the UK are covered, but if an issue arises on the return leg, you’ll only get help if you’re travelling with a UK or EU airline.
All the information below applies to these two cases. For non-EU airlines and destinations outside the UK, you’ll need to check with the individual airline.
What are you entitled to after a few hours?
Most airlines will offer you tokens for food and drink to be redeemed at the airport, along with access to phone calls and emails if you are overseas. For short haul flights (less than 1,500km) the delay will need to be over two hours; for mid-haul (1,500km-3,500km) it’s three hours; for long haul (more than 3,500km) it’s four hours. Amounts will only usually cover the bare minimum.
What about after long delays?
For longer flight delays, you may be eligible for hotel accommodation (if the flight is rescheduled for the following day) and in some cases, vouchers for future use. The amount will depend on the delay and the distance of the flight.
If your flight is delayed for more than five hours, you can cancel and receive a full refund, along with a refund for any other parts of the journey you won’t be able to complete. Alternatively, you can claim up to £520 compensation if the airline is to blame.
What happens if a flight is cancelled?
In this instance, you can claim a full refund or request the airline book an alternative flight to get you to your destination. Legally, you can also ask for compensation if your replacement flight arrives more than two hours later
than originally planned, or if you were given less than 14 days’ notice for a cancellation. For less than seven days’ notice, you’re entitled to £110-£520.
How to make a claim
First, contact your airline. If you don’t hear back, check if the airline is a member of an alternative dispute resolution body (ADR). You can also report the case to the Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk). Check with your travel insurance to see if you are covered. Other useful bodies include Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk).
Watch out for Acts of God
Unfortunately, if weather or natural disasters are to blame for delays or cancellations, it won’t be possible to make a claim from an airline. Instead, check the T&Cs of your insurance policy.