With half-term holidays coming up on February 16, many British families are eager to finalise their plans for their winter sun escape.
However, when faced with flight cancellations or delays, the stress of disrupted travel plans can dampen the mood and make it difficult to know where to turn for help.
Kelly Johnstone, a tourism expert from Avanti Travel Insurance, offers some key advice to ensure travellers make the most of their rights and minimise inconvenience during disruptions.
According to Johnstone, understanding the right steps to take early on can make all the difference in reducing stress and securing compensation.
“When faced with a travel disruption, your first port of call should be to contact your holiday providers,” she advised. “Travel providers, such as airlines and cruise lines, should offer you a refund or the chance to change the dates you travel if they cancel your booking.”
This crucial first step can help travellers begin the process of rebooking or getting compensation before other issues arise.
Johnstone also suggested that travellers whose plans have shifted due to delays should update their travel insurance policies.
Avanti Travel Insurance warned that tourists could face costly charges if they get injured abroad on dates when their insurance doesn’t cover them.
“If they get injured abroad on a day in which they are not covered, tourists who fall ill abroad will need to pay for medical treatment,” the company explained.
To avoid this, updating travel insurance is essential when changing travel dates.
In addition, insurance can also assist travellers in securing compensation for future delays, with many companies offering a fixed amount for every hour a flight is delayed.
“If your flight is ‘significantly delayed’ your airline is required to provide you with care and assistance,” Johnstone explained.
“The kind of support and compensation you’ll receive depends on how long your wait is and how far you’re travelling.”
For delays of three hours or more, airlines must offer assistance, including food and drink vouchers and, in some cases, overnight accommodation and transportation.
Johnstone recommended that travellers check the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website to find out whether they qualify for compensation or support.
“You can easily find out if you qualify for support or compensation by checking the CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] website,” she added.
In most cases, airlines are required to provide compensation if the flight is delayed by three hours or more, ensuring that travellers have the necessary resources to cope with the disruption.
By taking the right steps and knowing where to turn first, travellers can ensure that delays or cancellations don’t ruin their trip or financial plans.