Hundreds of thousands of passengers were caught in a major disorder at Heathrow Airport after a fire overnight in electric substation launched a massive flight cancellation.
During most of the Friday, passengers were advised not to move to Heathrow, unless they were sent by their airline. By Friday afternoon, the airport said some flights would continue that night, but he did not expect to be fully operative until Saturday morning.
For those who are caught in chaos, here’s what to know.
Can I ask for a fee?
Despite the cancellation of the flight, consumer experts warn that the fee from your airline company for travel plans is unlikely.
“If your flight is canceled, you will not have the right to compensation, because these events will be considered an extraordinary circumstance,” said Rory Boland, whose editor? Passenger magazine.
“But you will have the right to help from your airline, including overnight, if necessary.”
Should I decide to get a refund or a diverted flight?
The affected passengers will have a choice to be redirected or accepting a refund. “If you decide on the first one, the Aariacopania is obliged to take as soon as possible to a new flight, including rival carriers from alternative airports,” Boland said.
“If you accept the refund instead, be aware that your airline will not have a further duty of caring for you and you will need to determine your own arrangements,” he adds. Citizens Council says you should get a refund within seven days of flight date after they have requested.
British Airways said on Friday to the affected customers to use their internet option “Management of My Reservation” to book their flight, not call centers, because of a large quantity of inquiries.
According to the Expedia Travel Agent, many airlines have issued renunciations for flights under the influence of closure, allowing customers to make changes to reservation that would usually suffer costs or penalties.
“Some [airlines] Allow cancellation, while others only allow changes in the date in a particular time frame, “Expedia said.” It is a good step to visit the airline’s website for the sake of elimination. We also work closely with our air partners to pay tribute to all applicable renunciations. “
What about the other costs I have?
Considering the proportions of the disorder, the next number of passengers will face the length of time that could be necessary to be reserved on an alternative flight and the costs they have while waiting.
Mike, 36, does not have a home to return to London because he should have moved to New York on Friday.
“I intended to fly for JFK this morning, and then it was obviously canceled, so I’m just waiting for British Airways to tell me now when I’m flying,” he told FT.
The food and drink salesman said he was not satisfied with the offer to reserve him on an indirect flight across Miami on Sunday: a 20-hour trip.
District Air Force Companies Passengers have a right Recovering “reasonable” additional costs, such as nights, hotel accommodation if alternative flights are not available and further travel expenses if they fly to another airport.
However, airlines will expect the applicants to provide receipts. In previous large incidents, some airplanes have encouraged the affected passengers to seek their travel insurance.
“If your airline refuses to bring you to your destination, your flight is reserved at the ‘earliest occasion’, you are in your rights to book a flight that will seek [the cost] Back, “said Boland, although some airlines form a prolonged procedure to ask for it and often challenge it.
“I would only do it if the airline says that it will only put me on their next flight in two or three days, or if I had a really urgent reason to reach my destination,” he said.
Will my travel insurance cover that?
It is worth checking out the terms of your travel insurance to see if you can make up for any other costs created as a result of this incident, such as car rental or parking fees at the airport – although the travel rules are not included as standard, so you will still be on the hook.
Customers who take passenger insurance with Aviv are entitled to delay £ 25 for each delay of 12 hours (up to £ 250 per person) or up to £ 5,000 per person for unused traveling costs and accommodation already paid – but only if their travel provider was unable to provide appropriate alternative arrangements within 12 hours.
Aviva added that customers were stuck abroad who intended to request additional accommodation costs to ensure that they were similar to the standard as their previous accommodation and should retain the receipts.
What about my credit card provider?
According to the Law on the UK, if you book a credit card, you cost between £ 100 and £ 30,000, and the service provider does not submit or there is a violation of the contract, your loan provider is jointly responsible with the supplier. You can bypass the airline and apply directly in your banking application, along with income and accompanying evidence – such as the dismissal screen. If it fails, you can escalate a financial ombudsman request.
Has you influenced the Heathrow disorder? E -a money@ft.com
