Met Office Warns of Snow Across the UK
what to do if your flight is affected
With the Met Office forecasting snow to hit most of the UK over the next week what does this mean for travellers who are flying out of a UK airport?
Last year, and the early part of this year, the effects of the heavy snow meant that most of the UK ground to a halt. Local councils ran out of grit for the roads, the rail networks were thrown into chaos and even ferry ports suffered delays. The airports tried hard to keep the runways open for as much time as possible, with constant clearing in operation. However, as well as extremely bad visibility, and the dangers of flying in such conditions, many problems came from trying to get the planes into the correct positions for take-off when the ground was covered in deep snow and ice. And as a knock on effect, flights were cancelled and delayed at less affected airports due to flights not arriving from those badly affected airports.
Hopefully, the lessons learned from last winter will mean that year flights won't be so badly affected this time. However, if the snow fall is very bad across the country and flights cancelled here are some top tips on what you can do, and what you are entitled to, should your travel plans be disrupted due to snow this year!
Before you leave home, whether there's just a scattering of snow or a full on avalanche:
Always check with your airline before you leave for the airport as to what the current situation is. Get contact details for your airline easily online. Usually their revised schedule for each flight they are due to operate will be available online. You can also phone but be warned, the telephone lines will be very busy. Try online first.
Check with your airport as to what their policy is during the adverse snow weather. Do this the day before travel so you have some idea and then again before you leave for the airport. Find contact details for your airport online – again, they are likely to have their operational schedule online but you can also try getting through by phone although it will be very busy.
If snow is forecast for whilst you're away, and therefore could possibly affect you on your return, make sure you take with you the airline and tour operator contact details in case you need them for any reason.
Tips if you're travelling with children:
If you are travelling on a family holiday with small children be aware of their needs when stuck at an airport indefinitely when delayed. Little people get hungry and airports aren't ideal for kiddie friendly snacks, not to mention the queues and the cost! Be sure to pack plenty of provisions for your little ones, especially milk if you are travelling with babies. Also pack plenty of entertainment in your hand luggage – travel games, magazines, colouring books, a pack of snap cards etc., all of which are light weight and will take up little space in your hand luggage.
Bear in mind they might need to sleep if you are delayed for some time. Take out anything unnecessary in your hand luggage and pack their blanket or bedtime toy to encourage them to sleep.
If you are at the airport and you are delayed:
If your flight is delayed the airline should provide you with refreshment vouchers to use in the airport. The number of vouchers you'll get depends on the length of your delay.
If you are at the airport and your flight is then cancelled you will be offered to either re-route, take the next available flight or offered a full refund. You should also be offered two phone calls, and access to free email in order to amend your plans.
Do be aware however, you won't be offered any compensation for any inconvenience so there's little point in even trying. What if your onward travel extras are cancelled, will you be reimbursed?
Under EU regulations, if you are unable to get to your onward destination and as a result therefore you have to cancel your hotel, or holiday extras such as car hire, the airline isn't bound to reimburse you.
Now if you've booked a package holiday that is ATOL or ABTA protected you will be able to get either a refund or rebooking as it is the responsibility of the tour operator you have booked with.
If you have booked your travel plans independently then this will not be possible. In this instance you will need to speak to your travel insurance provider to see what your policy covers – most good policies will cover cancellation and curtailment as standard.
Always travel with travel insurance:
It cannot be stressed enough that all travellers must always travel with adequate travel insurance! Regardless of whether you have booked a package holiday or booked your own travel independently.
When booking your travel insurance do not leave it until the week before you go. Travel insurance should actually be purchased as soon as your travel plans are booked so you are properly covered.
And remember, it's much cheaper to buy your travel insurance online!
