{"id":119941,"date":"2023-11-02T13:19:40","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T13:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogcamlodipine.com\/?p=119941"},"modified":"2023-11-02T13:19:40","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T13:19:40","slug":"storm-ciaran-cancels-and-delays-flights-simple-tip-to-protect-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogcamlodipine.com\/travel\/storm-ciaran-cancels-and-delays-flights-simple-tip-to-protect-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"Storm Ciaran cancels and delays flights – simple tip to protect yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

JUMP TO…<\/h4>\n
  • How to find the best travel insurance policy for you<\/li>\n
  • Can travel insurance help if my flight is impacted by weather?<\/li>\n
  • Am I entitled to any money back if my flight is cancelled?<\/li>\n
  • Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is delayed or cancelled due to the storm?<\/li>\n
  • How much compensation can I get for a delayed flight?<\/li>\n
  • Can airlines offer vouchers as compensation?<\/li>\n

    Bristol, London City, London Heathrow and Manchester Airports have been some of the worst hit by the onslaught of wind and downpours brought in by Storm Ciaran. Already some flights have been cancelled or delayed, with flights to the Channel Islands, Dublin and Amsterdam expected to be impacted. But this could be bad news for holidaymakers.<\/p>\n

    The Met Office has put in place a “danger to life” weather warning across large parts of England and Wales throughout Thursday, November 2, 2023. British Airways has cancelled nearly 40 flights from Heathrow on Thursday due to the storm. Heathrow Airport is urging customers to “keep up to date with your airline”, and has provided a list of airline contacts on its website for anyone who may be affected.<\/p>\n

    Airport bosses from Bristol advised customers to allow “sufficient” time for travelling to the airport and check their flight status with the airline before setting off.<\/p>\n

    Jersey Airport has seen wind gusts of up 93mph amid Storm Ciaran, according to the Met Office, which listed it among the highest gusts, so far, in a Twitter post.<\/p>\n

    If you are planning on jetting off, the good news is that there is a simple way to protect yourself against any unplanned changes to travel – and that is, of course, having a robust travel insurance policy in place.<\/p>\n

    It’s worth noting, however, that there is no point in investing in a travel insurance policy after your plans have already been impacted. You should always purchase travel insurance at the same time you book your travel so that you are fully protected in the run-up to your departure and for the duration of your trip.<\/p>\n

    How to find the best travel insurance policy for you<\/h2>\n

    Travel insurance doesn’t just cover against unexpected cancellations or delays, it also takes care of medical emergencies, lost or damaged luggage or possessions, missed transport or delayed departure for reasons beyond your control and much more.<\/p>\n

    There are all manner of travel insurance policies out there to choose from, but one straightforward way to find the best policy for you is y using a comparison website.<\/p>\n

    Here, you can compare the different levels of coverage available to you, as well as choose your excess and find the best price and package to suit your needs.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Can travel insurance help if my flight is impacted by weather?<\/h2>\n

    Some travel insurance policies include travel disruption insurance. In some cases, this will automatically be covered in the policy and in other cases you may have to pay for it as an additional extra. Always make sure to read the small print of your policy to be sure.<\/p>\n

    In some cases, you might not need travel disruption insurance. For example, if you’ve booked a package holiday that includes a flight, it should be ATOL protected – and if it doesn’t include a flight, then it should be ABTA protected. These protections will provide you coverage if your holiday is impacted by disruption.<\/p>\n

    But, you might want an extra layer of protection against disruption if you have booked travel and accommodation separately.<\/p>\n

    Some providers offer cover for extreme weather and natural disasters, for which airlines aren’t required to offer compensation, and they can also offer cover transport disruptions outside of flights, or cancellation cover if extreme weather impacts activities or accommodation.<\/p>\n

    However, this type of coverage doesn’t cover delays caused by your airline or tour operator. It very much depends on the policy you pay for. The types of disruption you’re covered for may vary between providers and policies.<\/p>\n

    You should always check your travel insurance policy for exclusions. For example, experts from moneysupermarket.com explained: “Disruptions caused by poor weather may not be included as standard, with some policies excluding events put down as ‘Acts of God’.”<\/p>\n

    Am I entitled to any money back if my flight is cancelled?<\/h2>\n

    If you are due to travel on a flight that is either departing to or from a UK or EU airport, or with a UK or EU airline, your carrier must either offer you a full refund or find you a seat on the soonest available alternative flight, even if it is with a rival carrier, for no additional charge to yourself.<\/p>\n

    If you want to be refunded, it’s best to contact your airline immediately. But, if you do request a refund, your airline is no longer liable to place you on another flight.<\/p>\n

    If you would prefer to be re-booked onto another flight, you can either choose to go on the next available option or travel at a later date. In certain situations, if you decide to travel at a later date, you might be able to claim compensation on reasonable expenses, such as an overnight hotel stay.<\/p>\n

    In the event your airline needs to fly you to a different airport, they must also cover the cost of onward travel.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is delayed or cancelled due to the storm?<\/h2>\n

    Severe weather is not classed as being the fault of the airline, and is an unavoidable situation, which means you will not be entitled to compensation as a result.<\/p>\n

    To claim compensation, the delay must have been the airline’s fault and you must have been delayed for three hours or more beyond the scheduled arrival time.<\/p>\n

    However, you might be entitled to some support from your airline if faced with a long delay.<\/p>\n

    A long delay means for short flights (up to 1,500km), being delayed two hours or more. For mid-haul journeys (1,500 to 3,500km), being delayed for three hours. For long-haul flights (over 3,500km), being delayed by four hours.<\/p>\n

    If you are faced with a long delay as a result of bad weather, your airline must provide food and drink, this often comes in the form of a voucher. If your delay is overnight, they may be required to cover the cost of a hotel stay.<\/p>\n

    In some cases they will arrange and pay for this, in others, you may be required to pay for the hotel and claim back the cost. It’s worth noting, however, that you must only spend a reasonable amount on a hotel.<\/p>\n

    It’s highly unlikely you will be refunded for booking a luxury stay. And always make sure to keep your receipt.<\/p>\n

    How much compensation can I get for a delayed flight?<\/h2>\n

    Once again, if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to bad weather, you will not be eligible for compensation. However, if your delay or cancellation is the fault of the airline, then under current EU and British law, as long as you are flying with a UK or EU airline, or travelling to or from the EU or UK, then your airline may qualify for compensation.<\/p>\n

    The amount of compensation you could be eligible for will depend on how long the day is, how long your flight is and at what time it was scheduled to land.<\/p>\n

    Generally speaking, passengers can claim a cash payment of £220 for short flights and £350 for a flight of 1,500–3,500km, when it is delayed for three hours or more and is the fault of the airline.<\/p>\n

    Passengers who were due to travel on long-haul flights over 3,500km can claim up to £520 for a delay of between three and four hours. If the delay spans five hours, you do not need to travel on the flight and can still claim compensation.<\/p>\n

    Can airlines offer vouchers as compensation?<\/h2>\n

    Some airlines have been known to offer vouchers to spend with the airline on future travel as a form of compensation. Passengers are entitled to choose whether they want to accept these or not, but under current regulations, it is said that airlines should offer compensation in cash.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    READ NEXT: <\/strong><\/p>\n