Holidaymakers across the UK are wondering whether the ongoing conflict in the Middle East or the new Europe entry and exit system will affect their trips this summer. For anyone who has booked a holiday, it is worth knowing what your rights are if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has a raft of information for travellers over flight delays and cancellations. It explains what airlines must provide at the airport and whether you may be entitled to compensation. There are also details about what happens if you are denied boarding. You may be entitled to assistance and compensation in certain circumstances.
The CAA says your airline must look after you while your flight is delayed. This includes providing you with food and drink based on how long your delay is, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight. You may also be entitled to compensation if the delay means you reach your destination airport more than three hours late. If the delay is more than five hours, you can choose not to travel and receive a refund.
You are entitled to care if your flight is delayed beyond its scheduled departure time by at least two hours for flights under 1,500km (such as Glasgow to Amsterdam), at least three hours for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km (such as East Midlands to Marrakesh), and at least four hours for flights over 3,500km (such as London to New York).
If your airline does not offer any of these options automatically, speak to a member of your airline’s staff. If you live close to the airport, your airline may instead reimburse your costs for getting to and from your home address. The CAA further states: 'If your airline is unable to, or does not, organise care for you, you may make your own arrangements and claim the costs for this back from your airline later.'
In addition to care, you may be entitled to claim compensation if you arrive more than three hours late at your destination airport. Airlines do not have to pay compensation if they consider the delay to be caused by 'extraordinary circumstances'. Compensation amounts are based on the distance of your flight and sometimes the length of your delay. Under UK law, airlines must provide you with care and assistance if your flight is cancelled.
