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Experts are urgently warning Brits who are travelling abroad this Friday, December 20, that airports will be ‘chaos’ as the date is set to be the ‘peak’ day of travel
A warning has been issued to travellers by experts that this Friday, December 20, dubbed ‘Flyaway Friday’ is set to be the ‘peak’ day to get away, with airports especially busy and queues or delays predicted to be more likely.
Holidaymakers heading to countries such as Spain, Italy and France this Friday, should take particular note, as these are the most popular destinations for a Christmas trip in 2024, according to new research by luxury holiday provider, Scott Dunn.
The increase in travellers could cause issues, according to an expert, as 37 per cent of Brits have said they plan to travel abroad between mid-December and early January, this festive season — which is three times more than last year.
Nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) travellers will be embarking on a festive getaway for their first time ever this year, which Spain (14 per cent), Italy (8 per cent) and France (7 per cent) coming out as the top destinations.
Experts have shared advice on how to ensure travellers do not miss their flight, and have urged holidaymakers to make sure they understand compensation laws, in case of a delay to their flight.
Matthew Hall from airport transfer specialists hoppa, said there are a number of ways you try to avoid some of the ‘inevitable chaos’ and ensure you don’t miss your flight.
“First and foremost, you should plan your route to the airport well in advance and allow more time than usual to get there.
“Whilst airports often have fantastic public transport links, car parking facilities and even park and ride services, you could face unexpected delays and big queues, especially if you haven’t pre-booked your tickets/space,” he shared.
“If you are taking hold luggage, consider making use of twilight baggage drop offs, which allows you to safely and conveniently drop your luggage off the night before in exchange for a small fee,” Matthew added. “For those who live near the airport, this could save a lot of stress on the day, meaning you’re better able to sail through to security as soon as you arrive.
“If you are particularly conscious of time or the comfort of any passengers you are travelling with, you may want to invest in fast-track passes, which can help make your experience at airport security quicker. These aren’t usually expensive in the grand scheme of things, and can offer a bit of extra peace of mind.”
If your flight is delayed or cancelled once you get to the airport, there are certain consumer compensation ‘rights’ that you should be aware of. Matthew said: “Although the rules can seem rather long-winded and confusing, passengers should be aware of their rights to claim compensation, expenses and refunds for affected flights.
“Since leaving the EU, UK flights are still covered by a law that protects passenger’s rights for compensation when faced with travel delays that aren’t their fault.
“The value of the compensation depends on things like the delay length, journey time, and original ticket cost, but you’re covered for at least some money back if: your flight is delayed for three hours [and over], your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the date of departure, you’ve missed a connecting flight due to delay or cancellation or you’re denied boarding due to overbooking.
“The law (UK261) applies if you are departing from a UK airport or arriving at a UK airport, and non-UK connecting flights can still be covered in some circumstances too.
“If you are affected, 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.”
