Travel Disruption Over the Festive Period: What You Need to Know

Travellers are being warned to expect trip disruption over the festive period due to planned strikes by UK border staff. These strikes could lead to delays at airports, flight cancellations, and long queues at border control.

While airlines have received more than two weeks’ notice of the strikes and may implement contingency plans, the high demand for travel during the holiday season means alternative flights may be hard to find.

What Does Your Travel Insurance Cover?

If your trip is affected by strike action, you may be eligible for certain benefits under your travel insurance policy – provided that, at the time of booking your trip or purchasing your policy, there was no reasonable expectation that the trip would be disrupted. Below are some of the key areas where coverage may apply:

1. Travel Delay

If your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours, you may be entitled to compensation. This is designed to help cover costs such as meals, refreshments, and essential calls during the delay.

2. Trip Abandonment

If your public transport is cancelled or delayed for more than 24 hours, and you decide to abandon your trip, you may be reimbursed for irrecoverable, unused accommodation and travel costs.

💡 Important Note: Many costs may be recoverable directly from your airline or travel provider. For instance:

• If a flight is cancelled, passengers are entitled to a refund or an alternative flight under UK 261 Passenger Rights.
• If your trip was booked as a package holiday, you are protected under the Package Travel Regulations.

For more information on your rights, visit the UK Civil Aviation Authority or GOV.UK Passenger Rights.

3. Additional Travel & Accommodation Costs

If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours, and you need to arrange alternative transport or accommodation, your policy may cover reasonable expenses incurred while reaching your destination or returning home.

💡 Airline Responsibility: If your flight is delayed or cancelled, your airline should provide you with:

✅ Meals and refreshments for long delays
✅ Accommodation if your delay extends overnight
✅ An alternative flight or a full refund in case of cancellation

4. Missed Departure (Unlikely to Apply)

This benefit usually covers situations where you are delayed en route to the airport due to unforeseen circumstances. However, as the strike dates are publicly announced, passengers are expected to take extra precautions to ensure they reach the airport in time.

5. Cancelling a Trip Due to Potential Disruption

If you decide to cancel your trip due to the possibility of delays or cancellations, this would not be covered under travel insurance. We recommend speaking to your airline or tour operator to see if your trip can be rearranged.

How to Minimise the Impact of Travel Disruption

To avoid unnecessary stress and make your journey as smooth as possible, we recommend:

✔️ Checking Airline & Airport Updates: Monitor real-time information on your airline’s website and social media channels.
✔️ Leaving Extra Time: Arrive at the airport early to allow for security delays.
✔️ Having a Backup Plan: Be prepared for alternative travel routes if needed.
✔️ Keeping Documents Handy: Ensure you have digital and printed copies of your boarding pass and insurance policy details.

Final Thoughts

While festive season strikes may cause trip disruption, staying informed and knowing your travel insurance coverage can help ease the stress. We strongly encourage passengers to check updates from their airline, travel provider, and airport regularly to stay ahead of potential delays.

For full details on the benefits, terms, and conditions of your policy, please refer to your policy wording or contact our customer service team for assistance.

👉 For the latest travel updates, visit National Rail and Heathrow Airport.