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The Guide to Flight Delay Compensation with British Airways

After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.

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British Airways delayed flight compensation

British airways canceled flight compensation, how it works on partner flights, how to apply for ba compensation, check your credit card for trip delay insurance, british airways flight delay compensation recapped.

Flying is stressful enough, even when everything goes according to plan. However, sometimes issues can crop up — no matter how prepared you are. If you’ve been on a British Airways flight and experienced a delay or cancellation, the good news is that you’re likely entitled to some money.

Let’s take a look at British Airways flight delay compensation, how it works and what you’ll need to do to get your funds.

British Airways flight delays can be frustrating experiences, especially if they cause you to miss an onward connection. Depending on the circumstances of your delay and if you want to continue your journey, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your airfare, coverage for meals and lodging or even additional compensation.

Deciding not to travel

If you’ve been delayed for five or more hours on a flight and end up missing your connection, you can choose not to continue traveling. In this case, British Airways will fly you back to your original departure point and refund the parts of your ticket you didn’t fly.

Meal and lodging entitlements

If your flight has been delayed for a significant period of time, you’re entitled to meals and, if necessary, lodging. When this entitlement kicks in depends on the length of your flight:

After two hours’ delay : Flights that are 932 miles or less. 

After three hours’ delay : Flights of 932 miles or more within the European Union and all other flights between 932 miles and 2,174 miles. 

After four hours’ delay : All other flights. 

Compensation entitlements

Due to European Union regulations , you’re entitled to compensation in certain circumstances when your flight has been delayed. The delay must have resulted in you arriving at your destination at least three hours late, plus the delay must have been caused by the airline (rather than, say, weather).

Flights of 932 miles or less : $270 (250 euros).

Flights of more than 932 miles within the EU and all other flights between 932 miles and 2,174 miles : $432 (400 euros).

All other flights : $648 (600 euros).

If your flight ends up rerouted but still has a delay, compensation may be reduced by 50%, but this will depend on how far you’re going and how long of a delay you experience.

» Learn more: Flight delay compensation: What to know

If your British Airways flight ends up completely canceled rather than delayed, you may also be entitled to compensation. This depends on when the cancellation occurred and how much it impacts your trip.

Cancellation occurring more than 14 days before departure

You’re not entitled to any compensation if your flight is canceled more than two weeks in advance.

Cancellation between 13 and seven days before departure

If your flight is canceled and you’re offered rerouting that departs a maximum of two hours before your previously scheduled time, plus arrives within four hours of your original time, you aren’t entitled to compensation.

Cancellation fewer than seven days in advance

If your flight is canceled and you’re offered rerouting that departs a maximum of one hour before your previously scheduled time, plus arrives within two hours of your original time, you aren’t entitled to compensation.

Cancellation compensation

With the exception of the situations above, if British Airways cancels your flight due to a situation within its control, you’re entitled to compensation. The rates are the same as for delayed flights:

Compensation may also be halved if your re-routing gets you to your final destination within a certain timeframe.

Note that you’re entitled to a refund of your ticket if you choose not to fly. If your canceled ticket ends up causing you a significant delay, you’re also entitled to meal and lodging benefits.

» Learn more: Flight delayed? Here’s the script I used to get compensation

Note that delay and cancellation compensation isn’t always applicable. If you’re booked on an airline that partners with British Airways, you may not be entitled to the same benefits.

For example, booking an American Airlines flight operating within the United States would not grant you these protections, even if you’ve booked via the British Airways website.

This is because compensation is tied to each country’s legislation. A flight operated wholly within the United States is going to be subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s laws rather than those within the United Kingdom or the European Union.

Many travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance that’ll reimburse you if your travel is delayed or interrupted.

» Learn more: Your flight was canceled, now what? Make these 8 money moves now

If you’ve experienced a flight delay or cancellation and want to apply for compensation, the process is simple. The easiest method is via British Airways’ online form .

Otherwise, you can mail your claim to British Airways at:

British Airways Customer Relations

EU Compensation Claims

PO Box 1126

United Kingdom

Once you’ve filed your claim, you can check its status online .

» Learn more: How to contact British Airways customer service

Even if British Airways won’t pony up, you may still be able to receive a reimbursement for expenses incurred due to a delay. Many travel cards offer complimentary trip delay insurance, along with other travel benefits like baggage delay and flight cancellation coverage.

Some examples of travel cards with travel insurance benefits include:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: What you need to know about trip delay insurance on Chase credit cards

In many cases, you’re entitled to compensation if your British Airways flight has been delayed or canceled. In addition to this, you’re also entitled to meals and lodging if you’ve been delayed for a significant portion of time.

If you want to file a claim for compensation with British Airways, be sure to check whether your flight falls under any exceptions. If not, you can file your claim for reimbursement online or via mail.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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British airways travel insurance review.

Traveling can be both exciting and unpredictable. While you may have planned every detail of your trip, there is always the possibility of unforeseen circumstances such as flight cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies that can disrupt your plans and cause unwanted stress. This is where travel insurance comes in. British Airways offers its own travel insurance policy to protect you against such instances. But is it worth the cost? Let’s take a closer look.

What Does British Airways Travel Insurance Cover?

The British Airways travel insurance policy offers various coverage options, including:

• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Emergency medical and dental coverage
• Baggage and personal effects coverage
• Travel delay and missed connection coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage

The policy also includes 24/7 travel assistance services and an option to add coverage for hazardous sports or activities.

How Much Does British Airways Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of British Airways travel insurance depends on factors such as the length of your trip, your destination, and the coverage options you choose. As an example, a standard policy for a 10-day trip to Europe with coverage for trip cancellation, emergency medical, and baggage coverage can cost around $150.

Pros of British Airways Travel Insurance

Here are some benefits of choosing British Airways travel insurance:

• Convenience: You can easily purchase travel insurance when booking your British Airways flight
• Comprehensive coverage: The policy covers a range of travel-related incidents and offers options for additional coverage
• 24/7 Assistance: The policy includes access to travel assistance services around the clock

Cons of British Airways Travel Insurance

While British Airways travel insurance seems like a good option, here are a few drawbacks to consider:

• Cost: Compared to other travel insurance providers, British Airways may be more expensive
• Limitations: The policy may have coverage limitations and exclusions that may not cover certain incidents or activities
• Limitations on trip length: The policy may only offer coverage for trips up to a certain length or duration

Is British Airways Travel Insurance Worth It?

The answer to this question depends on your personal circumstances and preferences. If you are looking for convenience and comprehensive coverage while traveling with British Airways, their travel insurance policy may be a good option. However, if you are on a tight budget, you may want to explore other travel insurance providers that offer more affordable rates.

Overall, British Airways travel insurance can offer peace of mind and protection against unforeseen travel incidents. However, make sure to carefully review the policy and understand the coverage limitations and exclusions before making a decision. Shop around and compare prices and coverage options to find the best travel insurance policy for your needs and budget.

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British Airways Annual Travel Insurance

What is Annual travel insurance?

You can travel stress-free with our Annual travel insurance. We cover big family holidays, city breaks, long weekends and even those pesky last-minute work trips. With Annual travel insurance, you’ll save time and money.

Our yearly travel insurance is designed specifically with frequent travellers in mind. With our multi-trip travel insurance, there’s no need to buy separate insurance each time you travel, and you’ll be covered for every trip you take during the year. We can provide you with cover if you’re staying in  Europe , or even create a policy that covers you no matter where in the world you’re going.  Below is some more information about our products, for which Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit the policy information hub for full details.

What's covered with our Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance?

With yearly travel insurance from Allianz Assistance, you can choose the level of cover that’s right for you. Our multi-trip insurance is designed for frequent travellers, so you’ll be covered foras many trips as you like, up to 31 days in duration over a 12-month period.

You can buy cover for European or worldwide travel (either including or excluding the USA and Canada), depending on your plans. And if you’ve got some fun activities lined up, you can add Winter Sports and Ski cover at the same time.

When you take out one of our Annual holiday insurance policies, you have the choice to get covered straightaway or delay your start date by up to 31 days. And you don’t need to tell us you’re going away, so there’s one less thing to worry about!

With our Annual travel insurance, you only pay once for 12 months’ cover and you’re then protected for all of your holidays. Plus, the more times you travel, the greater the savings become. Just make sure you buy your Annual travel insurance as soon as you book your first holiday, so you’re protected right away. 

To compare policies and find one that's right for you, take a look at the table below.

Our Bronze, Silver and Gold policy options allow you to choose a level of cover that suits you. All of our Bronze, Silver and Gold policies protect you if you need to cancel your trip before you travel, or if you need to curtail your journey. We can also compensate you if your departure is delayed, if you miss your departure or if you need to buy personal possessions because yours have been delayed. We’ll even provide legal support to claim compensation for a fatality, or if you fall ill or are injured on your trip.

We also understand that medical cover is important in case you become poorly or injured while you’re away. That’s why all of our yearly holiday insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses, personal accident and personal liability cover; you’ll get 24-hour access to a GP consultation service too.

We also know that sometimes thieves target tourists. To help protect you, our Silver and Gold multi-trip insurance policies cover you if you lose your passport, personal money or personal possessions. If you choose our Gold cover, you’ll also be protected against the financial failure of your end-supplier.

To see exactly what our Annual travel insurance policy includes, please visit the Policy Information Hub . 

Swipe to view more

Frequently Asked Questions

Jet-off whenever you like with our Annual travel insurance, because you’re covered for unlimited trips that last up to 31 days (over a 12-month period). There’s no obligation to tell us when you’re going away either, so you can pack your bags knowing you’re already covered.

You can choose the area of cover that’s most appropriate for your travel plans, from Europe-only to worldwide. You can also choose a level of cover that suits you: Bronze, Silver or Gold. 

If you’re planning more than one holiday this year, you can save money by taking out one Annual travel insurance policy, rather than buying multiple  Single Trip  policies. Our yearly travel insurance will save you time too, because you’ll be covered all year – no matter how many holidays you take.

Our Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of cover allow you to choose an option to suit your requirements. Once you’ve found the right policy, you can either be covered straightaway or – if you don’t need your cancellation cover to start immediately – you can defer your start date by up to 31 days.  Get a quote  today to see exactly how much your policy will cost. 

If you’re taking more than one trip this year, then our Annual multi-trip travel insurance is a great choice for you. Remember, the more holidays you take, the more you save. If you’re taking several trips in Europe , then you can take out a policy that will cover you for European destinations. If you’re travelling further afield, our Worldwide Travel Insurance will have you covered.

Plus, we offer discounts for  families on your yearly holiday insurance. If you’ve got fun activities planned, you can add  Winter Sports and Ski  insurance to your travel insurance policy. We even offer Annual travel insurance, so you can be covered all year round.

Whether you’re taking family holidays, heading away for the odd long weekend or booking last minute trips, you’ll save money and be covered every time you take off with our Annual travel insurance.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions to declare, you will not be eligible to purchase an Annual travel insurance policies. 

Usually we'd consider cover for pre-existing medical conditions under our  Single Trip  and  Backpacker  policies. However since we are making improvements to the booking engine of our website, we are temporarily unable to offer travel insurance policies to cover people's pre-existing medical conditions. We are planning to reintroduce our offer in the near future, once the update is complete.

Terms and conditions apply.

How to ensure you have the right cover

Does your bank or credit card company provide cover.

Many bank accounts and credit cards come with some level of travel insurance cover. While some may be comprehensive, they may not cover you for everything you have planned whilst you’re away, particularly if you have adventurous plans or unusual excursions booked. 

Make sure you look into the travel insurance policy that you have before every trip, to make sure it’s suitable for you and your plans.

Purchasing a holiday using a credit card means you are often protected by Consumer Protection cover. In most cases, it allows you to get your money returned to you if your provider defaults and you cannot travel.

Are you covered by ABTA or ATOL?

If you have booked a holiday through a tour operator or travel agent, it may be worth checking if you are covered by ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) or ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s License). This type of cover means that your package holiday is protected if, for example, the travel company providing your holiday arrangements or the travel agent themselves fail financially or close down.

Your travel agents will be able to tell you if your holiday is ABTA or ATOL protected. Alternatively, use the links provided to check your cover at home.

What is an EHIC or GHIC and what can it offer you?

Our additional travel cover options.

Winter Sports Insurance

Sports & Leisure Insurance

Golf Insurance

Business Travel Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance

Our other types of insurance you may be interested in.

Family Travel Insurance

Backpacker Travel Insurance

Need help? Call us on: 0371 200 0428

Make a claim, policy documents.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition that we are unable cover under our own policies, you may be able to obtain an alternative travel insurance policy through one of the providers  featured in the MoneyHelper  directory  of specialist travel insurance providers for people with serious medical conditions. Do take time to study and compare the terms and conditions to ensure you have the cover you need. To contact the Money Advice Service for further details of the directory

Call: 0800 138 7777 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or Email: [email protected]

Freephone our UK Team

0800 072 6778

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Travel Insurance

Medical travel insurance, seniors travel insurance, europe travel insurance, worldwide travel insurance, coronavirus travel insurance, british airways travel insurance.

• Unlimited medical emergency expenses¹
• Up to £10K cancellation cover
• 24/7 emergency medical helpline

Covered 27 million+ travellers

Trusted for 20+ years

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Compare InsureandGo with British Airways travel insurance

We might not be  British Airways  but, if you’re looking for  travel insurance , we still think we can help you.

We think holiday insurance should be available to as many people as possible (even people looking for British Airways’ travel insurance). That’s why we cover over 50 activities and sports as standard, have no upper age limit on our policies and can consider any medical conditions you may have.

• Unlimited emergency medical expenses available on Black level policies.
• InsureandGo’s Gold achieved a Which? Best Buy.

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British airways travel insurance – not offered.

British Airways does not offer the option to purchase travel insurance when you purchase your flight through the US website.  We can purchase hotels and rental cars while booking our flight, but not travel insurance! This is not a bad thing as it allows the traveler to shop the open marketplace for insurance that will best fit their travel needs. It encourages customers to shop around and seek great options.

British Airways Travel Insurance – Example

For our sample trip, our two travelers are traveling to Rome from Los Angeles. Our flight is $4,302.76. We’ve chosen Premium Economy seating with seating costs of $426 bringing the total cost of our trip to $4,728.76.

Since British Airways does not provide travel insurance at checkout, we are free to look for travel insurance in the open marketplace.

Travel Insurance – One Site – Many Carriers

We love Amazon and are fans of Expedia. Comparison-shopping is simple. Sites like  TripInsure101  do the same for travel insurance. Comparison shopping at TripInsure101 saves you time – you don’t need to go to each travel insurance carrier directly to get a quote. From the quotes received, what should we look for?

Travel Medical Insurance

When traveling, Travel Health Insurance may be the most important piece of cover that a trip insurance could provide. Most of us have health insurance at home, but our personal health insurance often does not support us as we travel. As soon as we move out of state, out of network, or out of the country, our out-of-pocket costs can skyrocket. TripInsure101 recommends having at least $100,000 of medical coverage for International travel.

Travel Evacuation Insurance

Should you fall terribly ill, or get seriously injured, the nearest suitable medical facility may be an expensive ride away. Travel Insurance should adequately cover these costs. That’s why TripInsure101 recommends having at least $250,000 of medical evacuation coverage for international travel. Higher coverage of at least $500,000 is recommended for travel to Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South Africa, and Antarctica.

When we requested a quote from TripInsure101 for our Rome trip, we are presented with 17 options to choose from.

The least expensive plan with adequate coverage that also includes a waiver for any pre-existing medical conditions we may have is the IMG Travel SE .

The policy provides $250,000 of medical coverage, $500,000 of medical evacuation coverage, trip cancellation refund of up to 100% should we become ill or injured prior to departure and unable to travel, and will also provide coverage for any pre-existing medical conditions as long as we purchase the policy within 20 days of our initial trip payment or deposit date. The total cost for both travelers combined, is $443.20.

Cancel for Any Reason Policies

If we want flexible cancellation options, we have other choices as well when shopping in the marketplace. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies allow cancellation for any reason whatsoever and still receive either a 50% or 75% refund of the trip costs (depending on the policy purchased).

Looking at our quote from TripInsure101, the least expensive CFAR policy with the highest refund if we cancel for any reason not listed in the policy, is the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) at $821.00.

This policy provides $150,000 of medical coverage, $1 million of medical evacuation coverage, coverage for preexisting medical conditions if purchased within 14 days of the initial trip payment or deposit date but gives a 75% refund of trip costs if we cancel for a reason not listed in the policy.

If you cancel for a serious illness or injury, then you would receive a 100% refund. But if there is no reason for you to ordinarily be able to claim, then the Cancel for Any Reason benefit provides 75% back.

Luckily, British Airways is one of the few airlines that does provide refunds if you need to cancel your trip:

If you cancel a refund is permitted, subject to recalculation of the fare for any journey flown. There are no cancellation fees.

However, if we also have booked hotels, tours or excursions or other non-refundable transportation outside of our airline tickets, we may not be able to get those costs back even if we can get a refund of our airfare. A Cancel For Any Reason policy would allow us to recoup up to 75% of our TOTAL non-refundable trip costs and not just the airfare cost. These policies can be great options for maximum flexibility!

British Airways Travel Insurance – Does TripInsure101 Charge More?

You won’t find the same trip insurance plans available at a better price – price certainty is guaranteed as a result of anti-discriminatory insurance law in the US. This is really powerful consumer protection.

A travel insurance marketplace like  TripInsure101  will offer a multitude of different plans from some of the most respected travel insurance carriers in the country. You will only need a few minutes to check value for money, cover, and insurance carrier ratings.

Enjoy your next trip with British Airways and remember to pack your travel insurance.

Safe travels!

This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.

Recent AARDY Travel Insurance Customer Reviews

Sylvia was friendly and knowledgeable.

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British Airways baggage chaos at Heathrow follows latest airport systems failure

Thousands of British Airways passengers are waiting for their luggage to be delivered after the latest systems failure at a major UK airport.

On Tuesday afternoon and evening BA’s allocation system – which covers everything from aircraft stands to baggage handling – failed at London Heathrow Terminal 5.

It is the main base for the airline, and the busiest terminal at Heathrow. No other airlines were affected.

The latest chaos arose only two days after a power issue at Manchester triggered the cancellation of 140 flights , with thousands of passengers who did travel arriving without their baggage.

While the cause of the Heathrow failure remains unclear, the effects were clear: severe disruption.

On Twitter/X, David W-J wrote : “Landed at Heathrow T5 tonight at 6.30pm … about 6.50 all arrivals from all destinations told no bags would be delivered… chaos.

“What’s going on with UK airports basic competence?”

Matthew Kiziltan wrote : “No baggage at LHR T5. Told to go home and expect the baggage anywhere from two to seven days. Good job @British_Airways.”

A BA spokesperson told The Independent : “We’ve apologised to those customers who were unable to travel with their luggage due to a temporary technical fault that was outside of our control. This issue has been resolved and we’ve brought in additional colleagues to support our teams in getting bags back to our customers as quickly as possible.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Earlier, British Airways experienced a technical issue with their allocation system, this has now been resolved. Our teams are on site supporting BA with their recovery.

“We advise passengers to check with BA before travelling to the airport as BA passengers in Terminal 5 may still be impacted. No other airline is impacted.”

The Independent has been unable to find out more about the nature of the failure.

Within minutes, scammers were targeting passengers with fake social media accounts . Someone calling themselves “Juliet Harper British Airways Representative” wrote: “Please follow back and share with us via DM your full name, email address, phone number, and reservation number to allow us further“.

This is the starting point for trying to trick frustrated passengers into inadvertently sending hundreds or thousands of pounds to fraudsters.

Travellers who carried only cabin baggage were able to leave the airport as normal. BA has one of the most generous hand luggage allowances of any airline, with passengers allowed to bring two 23kg bags into the cabin.

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Heathrow: Experts offer tips on handling lost luggage as British Airways passengers are left bagless

S truggling to find their luggage, travellers were forced to travel without their clothes and faced huge delays to try and get possessions back due to a technical issue at Terminal 5.

If you lose your luggage at a UK airport, a spokesperson for Claims.co.uk shares what steps you should take.

"Go to the airport’s baggage claim area and find the lost luggage desk or the airline’s baggage services counter and report the lost luggage as soon as possible. Provide details such as your luggage tag number, flight number, and a description of your luggage.

"You will also likely need to fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), which is a formal document that records the details of your lost luggage. Make sure you obtain a copy of this report and a reference number for follow-up purposes.

"It is also important to keep hold of all documentation related to your travel and lost luggage, including boarding pass, and luggage tag receipts, as you will need these to make a claim later.

"Many airlines have online systems where you can report and track lost luggage. Therefore, it is important to contact the airline and provide your PIR reference number.

"If your luggage is declared lost, which is usually after 21 days, you can claim compensation from the airline. The airline's policy should state compensation limits and documentation required.

"It is also worth contacting your travel insurance company and file a claim for your lost luggage and provide all of your relevant documentation."

How to claim for a flight delay on a package holiday?

A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk added: "Whilst booking a package holiday can slash the cost of going away, if your flight is cancelled you can risk having your whole holiday cancelled or rearranged.

“If you have booked a package holiday and your flights are cancelled, you have the rights to either claim a full refund, a reroute of the trip destination and potentially compensation from the airline.

“However, in these specific circumstances, delays and cancellations caused by air traffic control restrictions are considered an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ and therefore do not qualify for compensation.

“In cases of flight delays and flight cancellations due to an ‘extraordinary circumstance,’ the airline must provide you with additional services, depending on the length of your delay and waiting time.

“These additional services include free meals and refreshments, which you are entitled to when your flight is delayed by at least two hours. Passengers should also receive a free overnight accommodation and a transfer to and from the airport if the flight is shifted to the next day.

“If a travel operator needs to cancel a package holiday for any reason, they are required to notify you as soon as possible and without undue delay. This is to ensure that you have enough time to help you make alternative arrangements or seek refunds.

"However, in many people's case due to the disruption, if you are at the airport when the flight is cancelled, it is advised that you contact your travel company straight away to talk through your options.

“If the delay lasts more than five hours, but is not actually cancelled, you should also be able to choose not to travel and get a full refund on your ticket.

“If your flight cannot be rearranged, meaning your whole holiday must be cancelled, then the travel company must offer an alternative holiday if possible, or a refund of the full package price, not just the flight part.”

What is the best option?

If you are wondering whether to claim a full refund or reschedule your holiday, this depends on personal circumstances.

There are several factors you can consider making this decision:

Refund amount – If the travel operator is offering a full refund, this could be financially more appealing, especially if you are uncertain about your future travel plans.

Availability – Consider if the dates the travel operator offers you are a suitable alternative date for your original trip. If the new dates do not align with your schedule, rescheduling might not be a viable option.

Change fees – Check if the travel operator is waiving any change fees for rescheduling. Some operators might impose fees for changing travel dates, which could impact your decision.

Travel insurance – If you have travel insurance, review your policy to see if it covers cancellations or changes due to unforeseen circumstances. This might influence your decision to reschedule or opt for a refund.

A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk added: “If you received less than 14 days’ notice of the cancellation, you can claim compensation. This can be awarded in pounds or euros depending on where your flight was due to depart from.”

The awards are according to the following scale:

• £220 / €250 for all flights of 1,500km or less (e.g. Glasgow to Amsterdam)
• £350 / €400 for all flights between 1,500km and 3,500km (e.g. East Midlands to Marrakech)
• £520 / €600 for all other flights (e.g. London to New York)

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