Dealing with Flight Delays

Between April and June 2010, around 66% of charter flights at major UK airports were on time, meaning 34% of flights were delayed. During the same period, 22% of scheduled flights were delayed, by 22 minutes on average.*



Flight delays can be a nuisance when travelling but they are a reality of air travel and there are ways to reduce the impact they have on your holiday.



First and foremost, keep up-to-date with flight departure information and weather conditions. It is important that you still travel to the airport in time for check-in, even if flights delays and cancellations have been taking place.



Being aware of your rights as an air passenger also helps when it comes to dealing with flight delays and disruptions. Knowing your entitlements as a delayed air traveler helps to ensure you receive the treatment and remedial action you are entitled to and also helps to ensure your expectations are realistic if you experience flight delays. Remember that flight delays and flight cancellations are dealt with differently so ensure you are informed of your rights in each instance.

The European Commission's Air Passenger Rights state exactly what airlines are legislatively required to provide in the event of flight delays and cancellations so this is a good reference point for you to check and can help you to become informed of what you can expect from your airline in the event of a flight delay taking place.



Depending on the flight distance and length of delay, airline passengers are entitled to free meals and refreshments. You may also be entitled to make two phone calls, or other another form of communication, such as an email or fax. Passengers who experience flight delays may also be entitled to compensation.



Passengers travelling up to 1500km with more than a two hour delay are entitled to meals and telephone calls. A delay of more than three hours would entitle passengers to up to approximately £200 in compensation.



If your flight distance is between 1500km and 3500km the guidelines change. Delays of three hours or more mean passengers are entitled to meals, telephone calls and around £300 compensation.



A three hour delay on flights totaling more than 3500km equates to around £250 compensation. A four hour or more delay on the same route would entitle passengers to meals, telephone calls and approximately £500 compensation.



For delays which are longer than four hours, your airline should provide you with overnight accommodation and transport to and from your accommodation to the airport. You may have the right to a full or partial refund or to be re-routed to your final destination.



Regardless of whether you have single trip travel insurance or multi trip travel insurance, when it comes to making your claim, there may be a few documents you require, such as documentation from your airline which provides details of the delay, and flight tickets which prove you were booked onto the flight in the first instance.