This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/20/what-are-my-rights-if-my-flight-from-gatwick-is-cancelled

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
What are my rights if my flight from Gatwick is cancelled? What are my rights if my flight from Gatwick is cancelled?
(30 days later)
Can I claim compensation from my airline?Can I claim compensation from my airline?
All airlines are required to offer a refund, a promise to put the passenger on the next available flight or alternative routing. But, as most flights are extremely heavily booked at this time of the year, travellers may find that the next flight available is several days away. Compensation is not payable in this instance because the drone situation will be deemed to be beyond the airline’s control.All airlines are required to offer a refund, a promise to put the passenger on the next available flight or alternative routing. But, as most flights are extremely heavily booked at this time of the year, travellers may find that the next flight available is several days away. Compensation is not payable in this instance because the drone situation will be deemed to be beyond the airline’s control.
I’m sitting in the airport. Does the airline have to give me meals or overnight accommodation?I’m sitting in the airport. Does the airline have to give me meals or overnight accommodation?
Passengers experiencing severe delays lasting more than two hours should qualify for meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation or transfers. Experts at Which? said: “If your flight’s delayed for at least two hours your airline has to give you two free phone calls, faxes or emails; free meals and refreshments appropriate to the delay; and free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required.”Passengers experiencing severe delays lasting more than two hours should qualify for meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation or transfers. Experts at Which? said: “If your flight’s delayed for at least two hours your airline has to give you two free phone calls, faxes or emails; free meals and refreshments appropriate to the delay; and free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required.”
Gatwick airport: easyJet cancels all flights today as it's unclear when runways will reopen – liveGatwick airport: easyJet cancels all flights today as it's unclear when runways will reopen – live
Will my travel insurer pay out?Will my travel insurer pay out?
A decent travel insurance policy should cover the cost of travellers having to abandon their Christmas plans because of the drone situation at Gatwick – including hotel and car hire cancellation at their destination – but as always with insurance the devil is in the detail. According to GoCompare.com, 90% of policies offer some cover for abandoning a holiday after an extended delay (typically 12 to 24 hours). Maximum payouts range from £250 to £12,500, with most bunched around £3,000 to £5,000.A decent travel insurance policy should cover the cost of travellers having to abandon their Christmas plans because of the drone situation at Gatwick – including hotel and car hire cancellation at their destination – but as always with insurance the devil is in the detail. According to GoCompare.com, 90% of policies offer some cover for abandoning a holiday after an extended delay (typically 12 to 24 hours). Maximum payouts range from £250 to £12,500, with most bunched around £3,000 to £5,000.
My insurance is through my bank account. Am I covered?My insurance is through my bank account. Am I covered?
Many travellers rely on the insurance that comes with their bank account. One popular policy is Nationwide’s Flex Plus account, whose terms and conditions say it will pay up to £5,000 if you decide to abandon the journey and return home, but only if the delay to the flight is for at least six hours on journeys of four nights or fewer, or 12 hours on journeys of five nights or more.Many travellers rely on the insurance that comes with their bank account. One popular policy is Nationwide’s Flex Plus account, whose terms and conditions say it will pay up to £5,000 if you decide to abandon the journey and return home, but only if the delay to the flight is for at least six hours on journeys of four nights or fewer, or 12 hours on journeys of five nights or more.
How have you been affected by the delay at Gatwick airport?How have you been affected by the delay at Gatwick airport?
That said, it is often a battle to make claims against insurers in these circumstances, and the very cheap policies bought on comparison sites are likely to reject claims. Nearly all policies include an excess, which is usually at least £100. That means the first £100 of the claim will not be paid.That said, it is often a battle to make claims against insurers in these circumstances, and the very cheap policies bought on comparison sites are likely to reject claims. Nearly all policies include an excess, which is usually at least £100. That means the first £100 of the claim will not be paid.
Do insurers pay out if this is a terrorist incident?Do insurers pay out if this is a terrorist incident?
If Thursday’s drone attack is declared a terrorist incident, then the insurers will not pay out. A standard condition in insurance policies is that “cancellation on the grounds of war or terrorism isn’t covered by your policy”.If Thursday’s drone attack is declared a terrorist incident, then the insurers will not pay out. A standard condition in insurance policies is that “cancellation on the grounds of war or terrorism isn’t covered by your policy”.
Gatwick airportGatwick airport
Air transportAir transport
Drones (non-military)Drones (non-military)
Business travelBusiness travel
TransportTransport
InsuranceInsurance
featuresfeatures
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content