6 tips to tackle flight chaos

All too often in 2022, we've seen airports descend into panic and pandemonium thanks to flight delays or, even worse, cancellations. But inevitable disappointment can be rectified with a few know-how tips and tricks.

After a long wait to get away, there’s nothing worse than getting to the airport to realise you're not going anywhere any time soon.

Tens of thousands of flights have been cancelled across Europe this summer, amid ongoing disruption in the airline industry due to staff shortages and resurgence in demand.

However, while undeniably frustrating, you do have rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed. Here’s what you can do to help dull the pain.

1. Contact your airline

Flight delay compensation rules haven’t changed since Brexit so if you’re flying out of the UK, you may be entitled to compensation from your airline if your arrival is delayed by three hours or more.

How much you get depends on when the airline told you about the delay, how long the delay is and where you’re flying to. You should be covered if you’re departing from an airport in the UK on any airline; arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline; or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.

You’re entitled to up to £520 in compensation, although be wary disruptions caused by factors such as extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible.

The level of compensation depends on how long the flight is. As a guide, passengers of delayed or cancelled short-haul flights may be entitled to £220; medium-haul flights £350 and long-haul flights £520.

2. Know your rights on flight delays

If you’re stuck in an airport waiting for the plane, the airline must provide you with care and assistance if you’re significantly delayed.

This means they need to offer you a reasonable amount of food and drink; a way to communicate; accommodation if you are rerouted the following day; and transport to and from the place you’re staying.

In practice this means you’re likely to get vouchers to be used within the airport; a refund on your calls and a hotel near the airport if you’re delayed overnight.

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Also, note that the airline must provide you with these things until it is able to fly you to your destination, no matter what the cause of the delay or how long it lasts.

For reference, a ‘significant’ delay for short-haul flights is considered to be more than two hours, while it’s over three hours for medium-haul trips and more than four for long-haul.

3. Keep any receipts if you’re delayed

If staff struggle to organise care and assistance for you, as in the case of major disruption, you can make reasonable arrangements for yourself and claim costs back later.

If you do end up doing this, keep all the receipts and do not spend more than is reasonable. Luxury hotels and alcohol, for example, are unlikely to be deemed essential by any airline.

The UK Civil Aviation Association also expects airlines to respond to claims for compensation within reasonable time – and, at the very least, give you an indication as to how long it will take them to reply.

4. The airline must get you to your destination

The airline should inform you when you will be able to next fly to your destination if your flight has been delayed or cancelled – and are obliged to get you there.

You may have to be patient, but the airline must also provide you with food and drink (as previously mentioned), access to communications and a place to stay if delayed overnight, while you wait for the next flight.

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However, if you’re delayed for more than five hours and no longer wish to travel, you are entitled to a refund.

If you’re a transfer passenger and missed your connecting flight because the first was delayed, you are entitled to a flight back to your original start point.

5. Package holidays and travel insurance

If you’ve booked a package holiday or your flight was purchased together with accommodation, you can claim compensation if your flight is cancelled.

However, if you’ve booked all components separately then it can get a little bit more complicated, as you probably won’t be covered by ABTA or ATOL.

Travel insurance is advisable at the best of times – and even more so post-COVID – and, if you have it, your insurer should be able to pay out if you miss a holiday due to delays and/or cancellations.

6. Book an early flight

If you want to reduce your likelihood of a delay before you even set out, it’s worth remembering that booking an early morning flight means it’s more likely to take off on time.

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The reason for this is that airspace is less likely to be crowded first thing, as previous flights tend to have landed the night before.

In addition, if there are multiple flights a day to your destination – you’re more likely to be able to get on another one later that day.

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