Flights are returning to the skies once again as quarantine restrictions begin to ease for double-jabbed Britons. However, with sudden changes to the traffic light system an ongoing risk, many airlines have extended their flexible cancellation and rebooking policies to try and encourage “confidence” among holidaymakers.
Jet2, TUI, British Airways and easyJet are among the big-name UK carriers who have ramped up capacity in recent weeks.
What are the latest updates?
Jet2
Jet2 has resumed flights and holidays in line with the Government’s traffic light system.
The airline has created its own “traffic light update” to help customers better understand how travel rules impact their holiday booking.
“If your booking is affected in any way, we’ll be in touch with you as soon as we can,” states the Leeds-based carrier.
“We kindly ask you to hold off from contacting us and wait for us to get in touch with more details.”
For those who have travel plans, Jet2 encourages customers to visit the website “seven days before departure” for all of the “latest information”.
Jet2 also warns customers not to begin arranging Covid tests until closer to their time of travel.
In a bid to further boost holiday bookings, the airline has recently launched a brand news sale for its winter 2022 and 2023 season.
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Holidaymakers can choose from a number of European, Mediterranean and Canary Island winter sun destinations.
Flights are departing from Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and London Stansted Airports.
Winter Sun destinations going on sale for the season include Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Madeira, Antalya in Turkey and Paphos in Cyprus.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We are very pleased to be putting this fantastic selection of winter sun destinations on sale for Winter 22/23, and we know these popular hotspots will be as popular as ever with customers and independent travel agents.
“As well as meaning that customers can book their winter sunshine nice and early, the unrivalled choice of flights we have on sale means that customers can be totally flexible when it comes to choosing how long they want to holiday for.
“We are looking ahead with enormous confidence and we are very excited about what else we have in store for customers and independent travel agents when it comes to Winter 22/23.
“We’ll be sharing more details over the coming weeks and we know how popular this programme will be.”
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TUI
TUI has resumed its flight and holiday offering in line with the Government’s latest traffic light and quarantine rules.
The airline is continuing its “Holiday Promise”.
As per the policy, customers will have their holiday cancelled and will be issued with a full refund if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against non-essential travel abroad or if the government for the destination decides to enforce a quarantine which can not be side-stepped with a negative test or proof of vaccination.
If borders are closed to UK arrivals, or a destination turns red, the cancellation and refund policy will also apply.
“If we need to cancel your holiday for any of these reasons, you don’t need to do anything,” explains TUI.
“We’ll work through bookings in departure date order to proactively contact you as soon as we can. If you have an accommodation-only booking, which isn’t impacted by travel restrictions, and that you, therefore, don’t want to cancel, please give us a call.”
TUI adds: “To offer continued flexibility and reassurance, we have extended our fee-free changes policy to the end of October, for package holidays, flight-only and accommodation-only customers.”
British Airways
British Airways and its package holiday arm British Airways holidays has further extended its flexible bookings policy.
It comes as European Union and US arrivals are permitted to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they can prove they have received both doses of their Covid vaccination.
According to British Airways: “Those with flight or holiday bookings, which are due to be completed by August 31, 2022, can make amendments to their booking or cancel their trip in return for voucher credit – both free of charge.
“In addition, the voucher credit has been extended for use on trips completed by September 30, 2023.”
For flight-only bookings, customers can amend their booking or request a voucher right up until check-in for their flight closes.
If a customer’s flight is cancelled, they are entitled to a full refund or a voucher.
For package holidays, customers can amend their booking or request a voucher with as little as three weeks’ notice.
In addition, they can secure their holiday package with deposits from £60 per person with the final balance not due until three weeks before departure.
“If we cannot fulfil a customer’s holiday, we are committed to ensuring they receive a refund within 14 days,” states British Airways.
easyJet
easyJet and easyJet holidays have boosted their offering in line with the latest travel rules.
The airline provides information on Covid tests and travel requirements on its website and is operating flights under its own traffic light system which follows the Government’s guidance.
“For anyone wanting to travel internationally this summer, there is the Government traffic light system,” explains the airline.
“As part of this, there are some essential steps that you need to take before returning home from holiday, which will vary by destination.”
The airline warns customers to not only be aware of the UK travel rules but to also pay attention to the rules in place at their destination.
“Due to COVID-19 you may need to submit documentation in advance to show at the airport, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test or demonstrating you meet any applicable vaccination rules,” states the airline.
“You’ll need to make sure you meet these requirements so your holiday can go ahead as planned.”
easyJet has partnered with testing suppliers to try and help customers secure discounted rates.
It also offers an ongoing “Protection Promise” which aims to find the “best price” possible for travel, as well as “flexibility to change plans”.
easyJet says it is committed to providing “flexible options for holidays requiring quarantine, including the ability to cancel or make changes up to 24 hours before travel.”
The airline also offers a refund guarantee assuring holidaymakers will have their money refunded, and can keep their deposit as credit towards a future holiday, as long as cancellations are made 28 days prior to travel.
