Millions of people planning a getaway in the coming months may feel uneasy following recent global events. Tension in the Middle East is already impacting fuel costs, which could soon influence the price of flight tickets and household energy.
How Fuel Costs Affect Travel
In the near future, carriers across the UK and Europe will finish their existing fuel stocks or see their fixed-rate deals expire. While planes will keep flying, the cost of jet fuel is expected to rise, making future travel more expensive for families. Some airlines have already begun removing specific routes from their schedules to manage these financial pressures.
Money expert Martyn James explains what you need to know about your upcoming travel plans and your legal protections.
Airlines Axing Flights
Over the past few weeks, a number of airlines have announced they are axing flights from their schedules. Before you panic, this doesn't necessarily mean flights that have already been sold are being cancelled. Many airlines are reviewing their schedules and removing future flights from their planners.
That said, scheduled flights with tickets already purchased could also be cancelled, or departure times and dates could be reshuffled to maximise seat occupancy and aircraft capacity. Flexibility is key, so ensure you've allowed yourself some breathing space in your travel plans for getting to and from the airport and your final destination.
If you're booked on a recently launched route, or your destination is a less popular one, it's more at risk of being cancelled than other routes – though this doesn't necessarily mean flights already booked will be affected.
What's the Cost?
UK-based airlines should not be permitted to hike the price of a ticket you've already purchased through additional charges such as fuel surcharges. This is because you've already entered into a legally binding contract with them, under which they are obliged to provide you with a flight at the originally agreed price. However, if your flight is booked with an airline based overseas – such as a flight from New York to Boston, for example – then the laws of that country will apply. For the majority of flights departing from the UK and EU, you shouldn't face any additional charges if you've already purchased your ticket.
That said, some airlines have already indicated they intend to impose fuel surcharges and raise prices on tickets currently on sale or in the weeks ahead. Some airlines will be keen to keep their headline price – the advertised fare – as low as possible. This means you may notice rises in 'add-on charges', from cabin baggage to seat reservations. Even if you've already booked a ticket, if you haven't paid for your luggage, it could end up costing you more.
Package Deals
As a general rule, when you book a 'packaged travel' holiday – where you book two or more elements of your trip, such as flights and a hotel, bundled together as one deal – you have greater rights when things go wrong. However, there is an unusual quirk within the Packaged Travel Regulations that permits these companies to levy a surcharge under certain very specific circumstances. Bear in mind, surcharges cannot be applied within 20 days of the departure date. So it's unlikely you'll face an additional surcharge on pre-booked holidays, but it is a possibility.
Cancelled Flights
An airline may cancel your flight before its scheduled departure. However, you are not entitled to compensation if the cancellation occurs more than 14 days before departure. That said, if the flight is with an EU or UK-based airline, or departs from the EU or UK, you should be offered a rerouted flight. The law stipulates that you must be provided with a rerouted flight 'at the soonest opportunity' – and this does not have to be with your original carrier.
It is worth noting that there are concerns about how this might function if flights are cancelled en masse. If your airline simply refunds you without offering the option of a re-routed flight, you cannot be deemed to have accepted this decision, so make sure you push back.
But what happens if there are no available flights? In theory, you could request to be placed on a flight at a later date, but keep a close eye on developments should this situation arise.
14-Day Cancellation
If your flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure, you may be entitled to compensation and the option to reroute your flight (never cancel a flight in this situation). Compensation amounts range from £110 to £520, depending on the delays and distance you are due to travel. To qualify, the airline must have cancelled the flight within 14 days of the departure date. Varying levels of compensation apply depending on whether the cancellation occurred between seven and 14 days before the departure date, or anywhere from zero to seven days through to on-the-day cancellations. Compensation becomes applicable from the moment the rescheduled flight lands and the doors are opened. So, if your original flight was scheduled to depart at 6am and the rescheduled flight touches down at 9am the following day, your flight is delayed by a total of 27 hours.
In reality, most passengers simply want to board the next available flight to their destination. Your airline is obliged to place you on their next available service, but if that isn't possible, you can also demand a replacement flight with a competing airline.
Avoid booking a replacement flight without first attempting to contact your airline. Explore alternative airlines, but always check with your original carrier beforehand to establish whether they will cover the costs.
Stranded Travellers
You are entitled to additional compensation and assistance if your flight is delayed or cancelled on the day of travel. Food and drink vouchers should be provided after a specified period of time has passed – two hours for short-haul, three for medium-haul and four hours for long-haul. Even where the airline is not at fault, these should still be made available. Don't get too hopeful, however. Most vouchers barely cover the cost of a sandwich and a drink – and you'll need to track down someone who is actually handing them out.
You are entitled to claim back the cost of any calls made in connection with the delay. Should your phone be out of service, you can request assistance from the airline. If your flight is delayed overnight, the airline ought to cover hotel expenses and transport costs. They typically select the accommodation themselves, and it can be fairly basic.
Should you be unable to reach the airline, try to avoid checking into a luxury five-star hotel if possible, though you can reserve reasonably priced lodgings. The airline should also arrange your transfer to the hotel or reimburse 'reasonable' costs for getting there.
If you cannot get through to anyone at the airline, then retain all bills and receipts for expenses you're compelled to pay while managing the situation.
