Dozens of Heathrow flights have been cancelled and delayed as new Met Office warnings for wind and rain have come into effect on Monday morning.

Following this news, Lori Delaney, Marketing Manager at Trtl Travelhas issued comments on whether you can be compensated for a delayed flight, and whether travel insurance covers cancelled flights.

The full commentary can be viewed here: https://uk.trtltravel.com/blogs/news/how-to-survive-an-overnight-delay-at-the-airport-the-ultimate-guide

Lori: “As a general rule, the longer the delay, the better the compensation. However, official regulations surrounding flight delay compensations vary from country to country.

“With that being said, there are some similarities between rules that airlines have to follow when they delay a flight.

“Here's what you could be owed if your flight is delayed by the airline:

One-hour delay

"Unfortunately, if your flight is delayed for an hour, you do not qualify for compensation. While this is annoying and can put a damper on your holiday plans, accidents can happen, and airlines will always prioritise safety over convenience.

“However, if your delay is extended for more than two hours, you’ll be entitled to free food and beverages that should be provided by the airline.”

Six-hour delay

“For those facing a six-hour wait for their flight, the good news is that — should you want to — you are free to cancel your ticket for full reimbursement in most cases.

“You could, alternatively, swap your ticket for a different flight at another time or date.

Twelve-hour delay

“Spending twelve hours waiting for a flight isn't really anyone's idea of fun. Still, the good news is that most airlines are responsible for finding you suitable accommodation for the night — including transport to and from the airport.”

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

“While we like to assume our holiday will run smoothly, flights run the risk of being cancelled for a variety of reasons. These can include bad weather conditions, natural disasters, and even industrial strike action at the airport or within the airline itself.

“In the UK, there were 6,300 cancelled flights in the first three months of 2023, leading to a staggering number of passengers trying to arrange alternative transport or receive a refund.

"Purchasing travel insurance can ensure that you're reimbursed for any travel costs associated with cancelled flights — provided that you have cancellation cover included in your policy. Sadly, many travellers get caught out by assuming that this is automatically included in their insurance, so it's important to read the fine print before taking out any cover to make sure it meets your needs."