Holidays & Travel

Storm Eowyn: What you need to know about your rights when flights are cancelled or delayed

Storms that impact travel plans are becoming more frequent and more disruptive, so getting cover that mitigates this is worth considering.

Passengers should be aware of their rights to claim compensation, expenses and refunds in different circumstances for their affected flights
Female passenger at the airport looks at the Board about flight cancellations Passengers should be aware of their rights to claim compensation, expenses and refunds in different circumstances for their affected flights (Alamy Stock Photo)

As Storm Eowyn sweeps across the UK, bringing record-breaking winds and severe weather conditions, many travellers are facing the uncertainty of potential flight delays or cancellations.

Whether you’re heading off for a winter escape or returning home, understanding your rights in these situations is crucial.

Storms can disrupt travel plans, but knowing how to handle delays, cancellations, and the support you’re entitled to can make all the difference. So, here is everything you need to know…

Why do some flights get cancelled during storms?

Safety is the primary reason, with airports reducing frequency of take off and landing during bad storms.

“This means flights get squeezed out of the schedule – typically short haul flights will be cancelled first,” says Matthew Ware, CEO of Heathrow Aiport’s only on-site express courier handler, CFL. “The landing and take off bits can become more hazardous, and working on the ground around aircraft in strong winds is very dangerous. Things flying around can endanger the aircraft or people working on it.

“The go-around area around aircraft is also increased in stormy weather to manage the risk which leads to more delays because you can have less aircraft on the ground. ”

What airports / flights will be the most affected?

“It will be more about types of flight than airports,” confirms Ware. “Short-haul flights will be most affected, generally long-haul flights will be protected – the aircraft are bigger so they can be less impacted by weather.

“Plus they have 300-400 passengers on a plane vs 50-100 on a narrow body, so they can bump someone from short-haul flights to later flights more easily. This is revenue-driven. ”

My flight is affected – what are my rights for compensation?

(Alamy Stock Photo)

“The rights for compensation will usually depend on whether the issue is the fault of airline or not, such as mechanical issues and staff shortages,” explains Matthew Hall, managing director for the airport transfers app hoppa. “Since leaving the EU, UK flights are still covered by a similar law that protects passenger’s rights when faced with travel delays.”

This applies if you are departing from a UK airport, arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, leaving an EAA airport, or arriving in the EU on a UK airline.

“If your flight is a non-UK flight that is part of a connection to a UK flight, then you can still claim if you are delayed for more than three hours, you booked the flights as a single booking, and the delay is the airlines fault,” adds Hall.

How much compensation could I be entitled to for a flight delay or cancellation?

(Alamy Stock Photo)

Cancellations with less than 14 days notice by law entitle you to compensation, depending on the length of the flight route.

“With short-haul flights (<1,500km, i.e. Manchester to Dublin) you could be entitled to £220 if arriving at your final destination more than two hours after originally planned, reduced to £110 if arriving within two hours of schedule and announced with more than seven days’ notice,” says Hall.

And this increases to £350 for medium-haul flights (1,500-3,500km i.e. Leeds Bradford to Tenerife South) if you arrive at your final destination more than three hours after originally planned, claims Hall.

“Although, this can reduced to £175 if arriving within three hours of schedule and announced with more than seven days’ notice,” adds Hall.

With long-haul flights (>3,500km, i.e. London Heathrow to New York JFK) you could be entitled to £520 if arriving at final destination more than four hours after originally planned, notes Hall, which can be reduced to £260 if arriving within four hours of schedule.

“You are also entitled to either a full refund, including any return legs or the right to an alternative flight to your destination – either way, the airline must provide this for you,” says Hall. “If you are at the airport when your flight is announced as cancelled, you should make your way to customer services or the nearest help desk.”

What else could I be entitled to?

(Alamy Stock Photo)

The airline must legally provide you with food and drink.

“This is usually in the form of vouchers, and if your flight is delayed overnight then you are entitled to free accommodation, including free transport links to the hotel and back to the airport, if your delay is deemed long enough,” says Hall.

How do I make a compensation claim for my affected flight? 

“You should file any claims directly with the airline provider, who will have a section on their website with a claims form and any instructions you need to complete it,” advises Hall.

If you don’t receive a response from them, escalate the complaint to the next level.

“If you feel as though your claim isn’t getting anywhere, or is even denied wrongfully, then you should check whether your provider is a member of the Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) on the Civil Aviation Authorities’ website – if they are, then you can make a complaint directly to them,” recommends Hall. “Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air are all members of the scheme.”

When would I not be entitled to compensation? 

Airlines don’t always have to provide a refund on flights, particularly those affected by factors outside their control.

“Extreme weather such as snowy or icy weather, ground staff strikes, and as seen in 2023 with the Air Traffic Control chaos, all make up factors outside of their control and you would not be eligible for compensation in these circumstances,” highlights Hall.

“Also, if your new flight (after cancellation) departs less than an hour before the original flight time and arrives within than two hours of the scheduled time you are also not entitled to any compensation. “