What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Flights are cancelled owing to air traffic control problems, so what are your rights if you're affected?
When a flight is cancelled or delayed, UK and EU airlines, along with other carriers departing from UK or EU airports, are obligated to assist the affected passengers. This assistance includes providing meals, accommodation if necessary, and arranging alternative transportation without additional cost. The airline is also required to book passengers on an alternative flight at no extra charge.
Additional expenses, such as unused accommodation, might need to be claimed back using credit card or travel insurance providers, although coverage can vary depending on the terms of the policy.
Passengers can choose between receiving a refund or being placed on an alternative flight, regardless of how far in advance the cancellation occurred. For tickets that have not been fully utilized, refunds can be obtained for any unused portion. If an alternative flight is available on a different airline, passengers have the right to be booked on that alternative transport if it is significantly earlier or if other suitable modes of transport are available.
In cases where passengers are stranded abroad or at the airport due to a flight cancellation, airlines covered by UK legislation must provide reasonable food and drink, often in the form of vouchers, a means of communication, typically by refunding call costs, and free accommodation if staying overnight to catch the next flight is necessary. If the airline fails to provide such assistance, passengers can organize it themselves and seek reimbursement later.
The Civil Aviation Authority advises keeping receipts and not overspending. Passengers are entitled to the same assistance in the event of a delay, provided it exceeds the established limits for short-haul (2 hours), medium-haul (3 hours), and long-haul (4 hours) flights. If a delay exceeds five hours and the passenger no longer wishes to travel, a full refund can be claimed. For package holidays with ABTA members, passengers are entitled to a suitable alternative flight or a full refund if a flight is cancelled.
Disruptions caused by issues like air traffic control problems, bad weather, strikes, or other extraordinary circumstances do not entitle passengers to additional compensation. However, if the cancellation is deemed the airline's fault and the notice provided is less than two weeks, passengers may be eligible for compensation based on the alternative flight offered.
The compensation amount varies depending on the flight distance: up to £220 for distances under 1,500km (e.g., Glasgow to Amsterdam), up to £350 for distances between 1,500km and 3,500km (e.g., East Midlands to Marrakesh), and up to £520 for distances over 3,500km (e.g., London to New York). Airlines are not required to compensate for lost earnings, and travel insurance policies typically do not cover such losses.
If passengers anticipate being late for work due to flight delays, they should inform their employer and agree on the appropriate course of action, which may involve using annual leave or taking unpaid leave. Employers have no legal obligation to compensate employees for such absences unless specified in their contract.
Travel plans have been disrupted by various factors, and passengers are encouraged to share their experiences.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
