Plane Facts?
Saturday 7 February 2009
If the snow played havoc with your travel plans this week, here is some guidance from the Consumer Council on your rights and responsibilities when you fly.
Cancellation
In the event of a cancelled flight, passengers have the right to:
§ Refund of the ticket
§ Re-routing to their final destination or return flight back to first point of departure
Normally, if the flight has been cancelled at short notice you can be entitled to compensation BUT this does not apply if the cancellation arises from extraordinary circumstances like snow or bad weather as they are outside the airline’s control.
Delay
In the event of long delays (2 hours or more depending on distance of the flight) passengers must be offered free meals and refreshments plus two free telephone calls, faxes or e-mails. The airlines should make you aware of this.
If the departure is delayed to the next day, passengers must be offered hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and hotel.
Where the delay is more than 5 hours or longer, passengers may opt for a full refund of the ticket if you decide not to fly.
What can passengers do?
· Contact the airline or airport for up to date information on flights before you leave.
· Check weather reports at both departure and arrival airports (things may be fine in Belfast, but not at Heathrow).
· Make sure your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancellations and delays – usually under the section called ‘Missed Flights’.
For more information on your rights and responsibilities, call the Consumer Council free on 0800 121 6022 for your copy of Plane Facts – the essential guide to air travel to and from Northern Ireland. You can also download a free copy at www.consumercouncil.org.uk
For information on booking a holiday and keeping it protected, visit our weekly News Letter column at http://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/news-letter-column/44/the-smart-way-to-get-away
