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Because the UK baked in a second day of heatwave with record temperatures, The Unbiased’s journey correspondent Simon Calder answered reader questions on flight cancellations, passports and extra.

Listed here are 9 questions on flight cancellations answered by Simon.

What compensation am I entitled to after a cancelled flight?

Q: We have been booked on a Eurowings flight from Birmingham to Stockholm on 1 July that was cancelled with about three hours’ discover. After Eurowings refused to guide us on something that wasn’t a EW or Lufthansa flight, we booked ourselves on Ryanair’s Liverpool to Stockholm flight leaving the next day. We crammed out a type on EW’s web site requesting compensation for the cancelled flights and reimbursement for our Ryanair flight together with affordable bills (meals, journey to Liverpool). The declare was submitted 16 days in the past however, except for a reply confirming they’d acquired our e mail, we haven’t heard something again. How lengthy do Eurowings must reply, and the way ought to we escalate if they don’t get again to us in time? Additionally, we had booked to remain in a resort by Birmingham airport the evening earlier than our authentic flight – are we eligible to assert this again because the cancellation rendered the resort keep as pointless?

A: You’re certainly one of tons of of 1000’s of people that have had a extremely robust time with cancellations this summer time. If, as you say, Eurowings refused to guide you on something that wasn’t a flight on one of many Lufthansa Group airways, it seems to have instantly contravened the Civil Aviation Authority view that you just have to be supplied a flight on any airline that can get you there on the unique day of journey.

You probably did the appropriate factor to guide on Ryanair after which declare. Sadly one of many many gaps within the European air passengers’ rights guidelines is that there isn’t a specified time for when these prices have to be met. Give it a number of extra weeks then write a Letter Earlier than Motion saying you’ll make a authorized declare (although since Brexit that has turn out to be trickier).

The Birmingham resort counts as a consequential loss. It’s doable, although frankly unlikely, that your journey insurance coverage could cowl it.

Q: My household had two return flights cancelled, are we entitled to 2 claims? The service is barely providing one and no lodging/meals/switch prices. Three day hole between supplied flights.

A: Sure, you must be capable of declare for every cancellation, if it was the airline’s accountability (eg technical issues or employees scarcity)

Q: Utilized for compensation and lack of in the future of vacation with Jet2. This was late Might. How lengthy have they got to answer to my request? Additionally want reimbursing for the resort we needed to get after flight was cancelled till the following day.

A: As beforehand talked about, European air passengers’ rights guidelines are too flimsy in locations. Jet2 has typically been a wonderful airline/tour operator and so I hope a well mannered letter shall be adequate. that you just needed to pay for the resort – typically Jet2 would have booked and paid for it.

Will British Airways refund my Covid cancelled flight vouchers?

Q: Like many I had BA vouchers for flight and automobile rent after Covid cancelled a 2020 vacation. BA Holidays have money refunded the automobile rent vouchers. Do you sense any chance of the identical for the flight vouchers? The present points with BA don’t encourage rebooking proper now notably with present costs. That stated the vouchers have been prolonged to 09/23.

A: This seems a difficult place to be in.

First, when you booked a British Airways Vacation for 2020 that didn’t go forward – with flights cancelled versus you deciding to not take them – then the default must be that you just get a full refund. I’m to know the method by which a portion of the bundle – the automobile rental – was handed again however not the flights factor. Had been you not supplied a full refund?

Second, if there was a cause for you accepting vouchers – eg you have been supplied an choice to spice up the worth of your flights – you’re very a lot on the again foot. Nevertheless, if it was merely that getting a money refund was very tough and/or in no way apparent, you could have the chance to come back again to BA and ask on your a reimbursement.

Third, if the journey went forward however you have been unable on account of native lockdown guidelines to avail of it, a full refund could be obtainable – however solely after a take a look at case has gone by way of the courts.

How do I discover out if my British Airways flight is cancelled?

Q: With BA having to cancel flights out of Heathrow this summer time, have you learnt whether or not passengers affected have now been informed? And, secondly, if our BA flight (which is to Rhodes) on a Wednesday 14 September at 1.30pm has individuals bumped from that day’s earlier flight (which seems to have been faraway from BA’s schedule later this summer time), would reserving our seats upfront be advantageous – is it extra possible we shall be assured boarding, than if we waited to be allotted them at check-in? Costly although!

A: British Airways has cancelled round 30,000 flights to this point this summer time and I consider the overwhelming majority of affected passengers have been informed. There could also be a number of additional cancellations in response to Heathrow’s cap on passenger numbers at 100,000 departures a day, however nearly definitely to not vacation locations akin to Rhodes. I wouldn’t dream of paying to order a seat on British Airways – if there’s an overbooking state of affairs, then as BA is aware of volunteers have to be sought. Anyway, you may check-in free from 24 hours forward.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

Q: I booked a vacation with BA, flying INV to LHR then LHR to BGI. The vacation was booked January 2022 for a (late) October 2022 departure and I’ve to this point solely paid the complete deposit required by BA, with the stability due Sept 2022. The INV to LHR sector was to be on the early morning crimson eye flight leaving INV at 7am, nevertheless this flight has not too long ago been suspended throughout July. If this flight is additional suspended, as appears possible, by way of to Oct it is going to require me to journey all the way down to London the evening earlier than. What are my rights right here, are BA responsible for my further in a single day prices or is it only a case of them rescheduling the INV – LHR flight to the day earlier than without charge to me?

A: At current all of that is hypothetical. British Airways hopes it could actually run a full short-haul service by late October – lots of the present vacation flights are more likely to be ended by then. BA ought to definitely pay on your Heathrow resort if it occurs.

Q: EasyJet are saying they don’t must reroute me if they offer me greater than 14 days’ discover. That isn’t my studying of their Discover of Rights. I’m not asking for compensation, solely that they pay for an additional flight on one other airline (they now not fly to my vacation spot).

A: What??? That’s nonsense. I can not see any grounds that easyJet would have for refusing a declare on your new flight.

Will my flight be cancelled?

Q: What are your ideas on what’s going to occur concerning additional flight cancellations from Heathrow after 24 July? We’re scheduled to fly on twenty eighth from terminal 4 on Qatar and don’t know the way involved we must be that we could meet points. Thus far Qatar don’t appear to have cancelled any flights and don’t know if that may be a consolation or not!

A: Qatar Airways, together with different large Gulf-based airways, seems to me unlikely to scale back the variety of flights – as an alternative stopping promoting seats on its current departures. I’ve simply tried to make a take a look at reserving for a flight tomorrow from Heathrow to Doha. In case I’m fallacious, then a departure more likely to be cancelled is one with a really shut various. For instance QR4 leaves at 3.05pm and QR8 leaves at 4pm. Passengers is also accommodated on a British Airways flight to Doha – Qatar Airways is part proprietor of BA’s mum or dad firm, IAG.

Q: Flying to Charlotte NC late Aug with American Airways. They appear to be flying this route nicely in the intervening time. Assured we shall be OK?

A: Must be good however don’t be amazed in case you are requested to switch at New York JFK as an alternative of a direct flight.

Simon stated: “Thanks for all of your questions – again right here once more quickly for extra. Benefit from the night.”

Verify again quickly for Simon Calder’s subsequent ‘Ask Me Something’. Ensure you’re signed as much as obtain his weekly journey e-newsletter by placing your e mail within the field above or by way of our newsletters page.

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