With another heatwave expected, travellers want to know their rights if their flight is cancelled or delayed by extreme weather. Wales and England faced red-alert heatwaves and extreme weather warnings in both May and June. This is the first time since 1911 that temperatures have broken records for two consecutive months. On Tuesday, May 26, Wales recorded its hottest May day at 32.9 °C. This week, temperatures climbed even higher, reaching a new June record of 35.9 °C for Wales and an all-time high for Cardiff.
BBC Weather says another heatwave is likely in July. The meteorological group supplying their data, MeteoGroup, expects a few more high-temperature spikes later this summer. Forecasters note that MeteoGroup has a strong record for accurate seasonal forecasts.
Travel Chaos at UK Airports
The extreme weather has led to travel chaos in the UK. Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Heathrow and Gatwick after hot conditions caused major thunderstorms in southern England. The Mirror reports that heavy rain overnight caused hundreds of delays and cancellations at two of the UK's busiest airports on Saturday, June 27. Flightradar24 shows over 400 flights delayed at Gatwick and 600 at Heathrow. The flight tracker also found that more than 200 flights at both airports were cancelled.
With another heatwave expected, many travellers want to know their rights if their flight is cancelled or delayed by extreme weather.
Your Rights if Your Flight is Cancelled
If your flight is cancelled or delayed because of a heatwave, you have the right to a new flight or a full refund, along with help and support while you wait. Under UK261 rules (enforced by the UK Civil Aviation Authority), you are protected for all flights departing from a UK airport (regardless of the airline). If you are arriving into the UK, you are protected if your flight is operated by a UK or EU airline.
But since a heatwave is considered an "extraordinary circumstance" beyond the airline's control, you usually will not receive additional cash compensation beyond your refund or a new flight. The UK's Citizens Advice website says that if your flight is covered by UK law, your airline must let you choose between a refund or another flight to your destination. If you still want to travel, your airline must find you another flight, even if it means booking you with a different airline.
Assistance During Delays
In the EU, if your flight is delayed by two hours or more, the airline must provide you with meals, drinks, and, if needed, accommodation. If a delay means you have to stay overnight, the airline must pay for your hotel and transport to and from the hotel. If you have to arrange your own travel or hotel because of a cancellation or long delay, the airline should pay you back for reasonable expenses. Keep all your receipts and try to book the cheapest ticket and hotel you can find.
Compensation for Delays Over Three Hours
If your flight is delayed by more than two hours, you should get help from the airline, such as food and drink vouchers. Airlines should automatically provide these vouchers at the airport. However, if they don't, you can buy your own food and drink and claim the "reasonable" expenses back later if you keep all receipts. You may also be eligible for compensation if your flight arrives more than three hours late and it is the airline's fault, such as due to technical problems or overbooking. If you are delayed by more than five hours and decide not to travel, you can get a full refund. You will probably not receive compensation if the delay was caused by something the airline cannot control, such as bad weather, heatwaves, thunderstorms, or security risks.
What Assistance Do Airlines Provide?
These are the types of help airlines usually offer if your flight is delayed: refreshments and meals, enough food and drink often given as vouchers; communication, airlines must provide ways to contact others such as phone calls or emails and keep you informed about the delay and your rights; accommodation, if you need to stay overnight airlines must arrange and pay for your hotel and transport between the airport and hotel; alternative transport or refund, you can choose to be rebooked on another flight or receive a refund. If your airline cannot help, you can pay for what you need and claim the costs later. The Civil Aviation Authority advises keeping your receipts and spending only what is necessary.
