Halifax takes heat out of summer delays

With the Commons Transport Select Committee reporting on passengers' experience of air travel this week (Thursday), Halifax Travel Insurance is offering advice to air passengers to help take the heat out of potential airport delays this summer.

With the UK holiday season now upon us, Halifax Travel Insurance is highlighting the fact that if delays happen, the airlines themselves are not obliged to offer compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. When an airline sells a seat it is only promising to take the passenger to a particular destination - there is no guarantee of time of arrival.

This means that a delayed passenger cannot claim compensation directly from an airline. Those that want to make a claim have to contact either their tour operator or their travel insurer.

Vicky Emmott, senior manager of underwriting for Halifax Travel Insurance said: "When travelling by air you need to plan for every eventuality, including delays. Heightened security at airports is now a fact of life, but can lead to long and frustrating delays for passengers and for many it can ruin the start of a much anticipated trip or holiday. "

"To cover all eventualities, we urge that people do not travel without insurance cover. Halifax Travel Insurance comprehensively covers you from the moment you take out cover until you step back into your home, after your holiday."

As waiting at an airport can be a stressful, as well as tedious, experience, Halifax General Insurance suggests some handy travel tips for those who find themselves stranded:

Make sure you have plenty of money for food and drink while you wait.

Beware of drinking too much alcohol whilst waiting for your flight – airline staff have the right to refuse you getting on the plane if you seem too drunk and you will not be entitled to a refund.

Pack a good book or some crossword puzzles to keep your mind occupied.

Make sure your MP3 player has plenty of calming music (and is fully charged too!).

If you have children over five, keep them busy with some mini-board games or children’s puzzle books.

Take plenty of hand and face wipes to clean messy hands and freshen faces

Make sure you and those with you keep hydrated with plenty of water.

Try not to drink too much coffee and tea as these will make you dehydrated.

Eat little and often to keep your energy levels up.

Keep stretching your legs every so often by going for a short walk.

Make sure you have emergency contact numbers for anyone that may be meeting you off the plane at the other end, and for the tour operator, if you have one, to find out what is going on and how long you may be delayed.