What if the staff from the airline I am travelling with go on strike or threaten industrial action?

Airline strike action Q&As

Threat of industrial action from a specific airline:

Are you covered on your travel insurance?

Scenario 1:

Q: You booked your flights and purchased your insurance policy before the threat of strike. You want to know what you would be covered for, should the strike go ahead.

A: First and foremost, it is the responsibility of the airline to find you an alternative flight or refund you the cost of the unused flight. Should the alternative flight leave more than 12 hours after the original flight, you can claim the cost of lost accommodation, car hire etc under the “abandonment” section of your travel insurance with Direct Travel Insurance. You will have to check in and obtain written proof from the airline unless specifically advised not to do so by the carrier. In either case, you will need written proof of the nature and length of the delay from the airline.

Scenario 2:

Q: The airline in question has cancelled your flight due to the industrial action and found you a seat on another flight but the new flight leaves more than 12 hours later:

1. Q: You decide to take up the offer – You want to know whether you would be able to claim for loss of accommodation/car hire for the first 12 hours
   A: No, Direct Travel Insurance would only pay the following benefits, after the first 12 hours of delay: £20 (Standard cover/Premier Cover) £35 (Premier Plus cover/Senior Citizens Cover); plus £10 (Standard Cover/Premier cover) and £35 (Premier Plus and Senior Citizens Cover) after each extra 12 hour delay.
2. Q: You decide not to take up the offer as this new flight is completely unsuitable: The airline has offered you a refund but you want to know whether you could claim for ancillary costs: lost accommodation, car hire etc
   A: If you decide to abandon the trip, you can only do so after 12 hours. You will obtain compensation on your travel insurance policy for lost accommodation, car hire etc. However, you will have to check in and obtain written proof from the airline unless specifically advised not to do so by the carrier. In either case, you will need written proof of the nature and length of the delay from the airline.

Scenario 3:

Q: Your flight is cancelled and the airline has found you a seat on another flight leaving 7 hours later but you were due to travel only for the weekend and would therefore not like to go ahead with the trip. You will get a refund from the airline but want to know whether you can claim for loss of accommodation and car hire on your travel insurance

A: If you decide to abandon your trip after a seven hour delay, you will not be able to claim for loss of accommodation and car hire on your travel insurance. You can only do so after a delay of 12 hours.