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Peak holiday season is currently in full swing, and with school summer holidays starting at the end of July, airports will be packed with crowds heading for a holiday abroad.
However, flight cancellations and delays are also on the rise and airports across the UK have been facing problems in recent weeks.
Last week, a power cut at Manchester Airport caused the cancellation of around 140 flights and left 90,000 passengers stranded, while others saw their flights delayed but arrived at their destinations to find their luggage had been left behind.
Peak season: Flight cancellations have increased as we approach the summer school holidays
Gatwick, Birmingham and Liverpool airports have also seen heavy cancellations in recent weeks.
With countless more flights likely to be cancelled throughout the rest of the holiday season, and the next batch of them already on the horizon as Hurricane Beryl continues to batter the Caribbean, thousands of people may be wondering what they can do if they face delays or cancellations.
What can I do if my flight is cancelled?
If your flight is cancelled, your airline will be responsible for finding a solution, either by booking you a new flight or issuing you a refund.
In the event that the flight has been cancelled more than 14 days before departure, then you will not be entitled to compensation, but you will be given a refund or rebooked on a new flight.
If you cancel less than two weeks in advance, you could get between £110 and £520 depending on the length of the flight and how long you have to wait for a replacement flight.
To be eligible for compensation, the flight must have been cancelled for a reason within the airline’s control.
For example, if a pilot is late, the flight is cancelled due to lack of reservations or there are technical difficulties, then the airline will be at fault and complaining passengers may be able to obtain compensation.
What happens with cancellations due to strike or bad weather?
If the airline does not offer you alternative transport, you have the right to book a new, significantly more expensive flight at your own expense and to have the costs reimbursed by the previous airline.
Flightright legal expert Adam Johnson
If your flight is cancelled as a result of bad weather, national employee strikes, or actions by non-airline employees, such as an air traffic controller strike, then the airline is not required to pay you compensation.
It should be possible to obtain compensation when only airline employees are on strike.
Both strikes and bad weather are considered extraordinary circumstances, as are air traffic problems, for which no compensation will be paid.
However, to be considered extraordinary, the severity of the bad weather must be greater than the airline could reasonably expect.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Depending on the reason for your flight delay, you may be able to claim compensation.
Flightright legal expert Adam Johnson said: “If your flight is delayed… you may be entitled to compensation. The airline must also provide you with care, including free refreshments, meals and accommodation if necessary.”
For flights under 1,500 kilometres, a two-hour delay means you’ll be entitled to food and drink, as well as access to phone calls and email if you don’t have a phone or it’s dead.
Your airline should give you vouchers to spend at the airport, but if not, it’s a good idea to keep receipts for your expenses so you can claim them later.
For flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, a three-hour delay will be required for these services, while for flights over 3,500km a four-hour delay is required.
Fault: If a pilot is late, the flight is cancelled due to underbooking, or there are technical difficulties, then the airline will be held responsible for the delay or cancellation.
If your delay is overnight, an airline must provide you with accommodation and transportation to and from your hotel.
Johnson said: “If flight problems result in an overnight stay, the airline is obliged to cover accommodation costs. This applies if the delay or cancellation is the airline’s responsibility and results in a one-night delay.”
While the airline will pay for your accommodation and food, it is unlikely that they will be willing to cover expensive hotels or meals, as these will not be considered “reasonable” expenses.
If your flight is delayed by more than five hours, you can choose not to take the flight and your airline will have to give you a full refund for the flight; a refund for a round-trip flight you will no longer be using, and a return flight to your original airport if you are mid-trip.
If you decide to go ahead with the flight, you could be able to claim up to £520, depending on the length and distance of the flight. As with cancellations, this will depend on whether the airline is at fault for the delay.
Will an airline refund you if you decide to book with another airline due to delays?
Since some airports offer only limited flights to some destinations, your airline may not be able to offer you a suitable replacement flight if your flight is cancelled or severely delayed.
Johnson said: “If the airline cancels your flight or causes significant delays and does not offer you an alternative, you have the choice between a refund of the ticket price you originally paid or alternative transportation provided by the airline.”
‘However, if the airline does not offer you alternative transport, you have the right to book a new, significantly more expensive flight at your own expense and to have the costs reimbursed by the previous airline.’
That being said, the class of the flight should be similar, as your airline won’t shell out money for more expensive flights just because you want to choose better seats.
Will you be reimbursed for hotel expenses if you are unable to take your vacation due to flight problems?
Unless you have booked your holiday as part of a package, it is unlikely that you will be able to get money from your airline to cover the costs of your hotel or accommodation if you are unable to go ahead with your holiday.
Airlines are not required to cover the costs of your vacation.
This also includes a loss of income if you return to work later than planned, something your insurance policy unfortunately probably won’t cover either.
However, you may be able to recover some of your hosting losses depending on your hosting’s refund policy.
If you have travel insurance, you will most likely have a safety net in place to cover some of what your airline doesn’t, although it’s essential to check exactly what your policy covers before you book.
What will my insurance cover when it comes to flights?
If your flight is cancelled or delayed due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, it can be difficult to obtain compensation for the time and money you may have lost.
Helen Phipps, director of Compare the Market, said: ‘If your airline was forced to cancel a flight due to circumstances beyond its control, then it may not be obliged to offer you compensation.
‘In this case, it’s important to speak to your travel insurance provider as you may be able to make a claim through your policy.’
‘Insurance policies that offer coverage for flight cancellations may allow you to get your money back if your flight is delayed for more than 24 hours or if it is cancelled and the airline does not arrange an alternative flight within 24 hours.
‘Likewise for those who are abroad and cannot return home, some insurance policies will also cover the cost of their accommodation.
‘Insurance plays a particularly important role if your holiday is not booked as a package, as it can cover every stage of the trip, from flight and accommodation to pre-planned travel.’
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