Flight Canceled or Delayed? Know Your Passenger Rights and Get Compensated

Traveling can be an exhilarating experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One such challenge is dealing with flight cancellations or delays. Whether you’re on a budget travel adventure, embarking on a solo travel journey, or simply trying to reach your destination on time, understanding your rights as a passenger is crucial. With recent events like the power cut at Manchester Airport causing significant disruptions, it’s more important than ever to be informed. In this blog, we’ll break down what you need to know about your rights when your flight is canceled or delayed, covering essential travel tips, destination guides, and more.

Your Rights When a Flight is Cancelled

Refund or Alternative Flight
If your flight is covered by UK law, your airline must offer you a choice between a refund or an alternative flight. This applies regardless of how far in advance the cancellation was made. If you opt for a refund, you can get your money back for any part of the ticket you haven’t used. For instance, if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is canceled, you can get a refund for the entire ticket.

On the other hand, if you still wish to travel, the airline must find you an alternative flight. If another airline can get you to your destination significantly sooner, or if there are other suitable modes of transport available, you have the right to be booked onto that alternative transport.

Food and Accommodation
If you find yourself stuck abroad or at the airport due to a flight cancellation, airlines are required to provide you with assistance until you can fly to your destination. This includes:

• A reasonable amount of food and drink, often in the form of vouchers.
• A way to communicate, typically by refunding the cost of calls.
• Free accommodation if you have to stay overnight to fly the next day.
• Transport to and from the accommodation.

If the airline is unable to arrange this assistance, you have the right to organize it yourself and claim back the costs later. The Civil Aviation Authority advises keeping receipts and not spending more than necessary.

Compensation for Delayed Flights
If your flight is delayed by more than two hours, you are entitled to the same assistance as for a cancellation. Additionally, you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. The amount of compensation is based on the distance of the flight.

If you are delayed by more than five hours and no longer wish to travel, you can get a full refund. However, airlines are not required to refund you for loss of earnings due to delays. They are only responsible for covering direct costs such as hotel rooms, meals, and alternative flights.

Package Holidays and Your Rights
If you booked a package holiday with a company that is an ABTA member and your flight is canceled, you are entitled to a suitable alternative flight or a full refund. This ensures that you can continue your holiday plans without major disruptions.

Extraordinary Circumstances and Compensation
It’s important to note that disruptions caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, bad weather, or other similar events, do not entitle you to extra compensation. However, if the cancellation is considered to be the airline’s fault, you have several rights under UK law. These apply as long as you are flying from a UK airport on any airline, arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.

The compensation you are entitled to depends on the cause of the cancellation and how much notice you were given. If your flight is canceled with less than two weeks’ notice, you may be able to claim compensation based on the timings of the alternative flight you are offered.

Managing Work and Flight Delays
If flight delays mean you are late back to work after your trip, airlines will not refund you for loss of earnings. They are only responsible for direct costs. Travel insurance policies also typically do not cover loss of earnings. If you think you will be late back to work because of flight delays, it’s important to contact your employer to let them know. You should agree with your employer on how to manage the absence, whether by using more annual leave, time banked in lieu, or taking unpaid leave.

Practical Travel Tips
To minimize the impact of flight cancellations or delays, here are some practical travel tips:

• Check Your Flight Status Regularly:
  Stay updated on your flight status through the airline’s website or mobile app.
• Keep Important Documents Handy:
  Have all necessary travel documents easily accessible.
• Travel Insurance:
  Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations and delays.
• Pack Essentials in Your Carry-On:
  Include a change of clothes, toiletries, and any necessary medications in your carry-on bag.

Understanding your rights when your flight is canceled or delayed can make a significant difference in how you handle such situations. Whether you are on a budget travel trip, exploring new destinations solo, or simply trying to enjoy your journey, being informed helps you navigate the complexities of travel disruptions. From securing refunds and alternative flights to knowing what compensation you are entitled to, these travel tips ensure you are well-prepared. Keep these guidelines in mind to make your travel experience as smooth as possible, even when faced with unexpected challenges.