by Live! It’s time for summer vacation. You know, the time of year we slather on our sunscreen, put sand in our sandwiches, and come back from vacation like boiled lobsters.
However, this year, people’s vacations may be frustrated by delays and cancellations at the airport.
After two years of Covid and pandemics as well as travel passports we really thought we could finally have a nice relaxing getaway this year with no interruptions.
Unfortunately, we all know that dreams like these are, for lack of a better word, naive.
With the spiraling cost-of-living crisis and travel chaos leaving many travelers stuck in airports for what seems like forever, as well as a new wave of Covid leaving many homebound, things can get tough. a bit difficult.
Due to all this chaos, around 5,000 Heathrow passengers have seen their flights cancelled. In addition, staff shortages mean that Gatwick has 50 fewer flights a day; BA also announced the cancellation of 124 short-haul flights from Heathrow, with EasyJet alone cutting 11,000 flights.
Also, to add to the misery of tourists, hundreds of British Airways ground staff working at London Heathrow have voted to strike in a pay dispute. Terminal 3 and 5 workers are expected to retire in July, although no specific dates have yet been announced.
Glorious! Here are some tips and tricks on how to combat delayed and canceled flights.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
According to the Citizens’ Advice website, if your flight is delayed long enough, your airline must provide you with:
The length of the delay depends on the distance of the flight and the countries you are flying between. You can check the flight distance on the WebFlyer website.
The airline might give you vouchers to get these things at the airport. Ask someone who works for the airline if they don’t offer help.
If you don’t get help at the airport, keep receipts for the expenses and try to claim the airline later. Airlines only pay for “reasonable” expenses: Alcoholic beverages, expensive meals, or fancy hotels are unlikely to pay you back.
Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed by more than three hours and it is the fault of the airline, you are entitled to compensation from the airline.
You are unlikely to get compensation if the delay was caused by something outside the airline’s control, such as bad weather or a security risk.
You are entitled to a fixed amount of compensation depending on both:
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the distance of your flight: check the distance of your flight on the WebFlyer website
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the length of the delay: how late you will arrive at your destination
What should I do if my flight is cancelled?
In the event that your flight is cancelled, the compensation due to you is different. Here are your options.
You have the legal right to:
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a full refund, including other airline flights you won’t use in the same booking, such as connecting or return flights
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a replacement flight to get you to your destination
If you are in the middle of a trip and do not want a replacement flight, you are also entitled to a return flight to the airport from which you originally departed.
Request a refund or replacement at the airport if you can. If not, you can claim from the airline later.
You also have the legal right to:
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help with costs – if cancellation delays you 2 hours or more
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Compensation: If you were delayed by 2 or more hours by the replacement flight offered and you were notified less than 2 weeks in advance.
If my flight is cancelled, can I get compensation?
If your flight is cancelled, you are legally entitled to compensation if the cancellation is the responsibility of the airline.
You also qualify if:
The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on:
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when the flight was canceled
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the flight distance – check the flight distance on the Web Flyer website
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the departure and arrival times of the rescheduled flight
To know all your rights, visit the Citizen Service website
