What happens if my flight is cancelled? (Photo: Getty/iStockphoto)

You save, plan, book and prepare – it’s your reputable summer vacation time. You have just arrived at the airport to be met with a riot of delays, cancellations and riots.

This is what is now happening to thousands of travelers who ruin their summer trips in the chaotic British airports.

Anxiety at airports is expected to continue through the summer, with airlines struggling to keep up with demand. Many travelers are beset by huge queues at airports, increasing the number of searches for “Current Manchester Airport Congestion” and “Current Heathrow Airport Congestion” by 650%.

However, careful planning and careful preparation can limit the risk of messing up your plan. The following Vacay travel experts have revealed how to speed up the process if a flight is canceled and your right as a passenger.

Naveen Dittakavi, Founder and CEO of NextVacay, said:

With staff shortages and rising tourist numbers deteriorating the tourism industry, the problem is expected to continue into the summer: cancellations and delays revealed over the banking weekend will continue into the summer holidays.

“But with higher staffing levels at various airports, the turmoil is expected to subside by the fall.”

Მ Get ready

Traveler woman writes a message at the airport check-in counter

Arrive earlier than usual and download the airline app (Image: Getty)

To overcome frustration during the summer holidays, Navin says to get to the airport at the earliest time specified by the airline. This gives you enough time to organize the columns.

“If you miss a flight through no fault of your own, you must notify the airline as soon as possible so that you can rebook another flight,” he added.

“Don’t forget to bring your proof of arrival time to the airport (such as a parking ticket). If you don’t have an alternate flight, this may be an integral part of your refund.”

Download the airline app

“If you’re going to fly right away, you don’t want to be stuck at the airport without it, so keep track of the plane’s status,” says Navin.

“If an airline cancels the next flight a few days or weeks before the flight, you will often have more delays and cancellations, which will affect later flights, so try to rebook the flight as soon as possible.”

Before arriving at the airport, Naveen suggests downloading the airline’s app for immediate alerts.

“You are more likely to rebook an alternate flight until others know of one or more delays,” he added.

Calm down, but know your rights

“If you’re already at the airport after your flight is cancelled, the best thing to do is stay calm — you’re protected from a lot of things that could go wrong,” Navin said.

He adds that when approaching a canceled flight, there are many options that can make a big difference, from preparing alternatives to waiting for a conversation with staff to calling a carrier.

“The airline should help you get to your destination the same day, but instead of waiting for a direct conversation with airport personnel, be sure to call the airline’s helpline,” Navin said. “Helplines are often more flexible and can offer the flexibility to quickly change e-credits, vouchers or travel dates.

When you talk to the staff, you can prepare for further investigations. This allows you to get things done faster. Be prepared to explain what you want, as you can claim to fly the same day at your own expense. However, this may not always be the case. It is possible with a sudden increase in cancellations.

“If you need to purchase a flight with a competing airline yourself, you can be charged a replacement fee or a full refund, whichever is higher.”

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