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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Flying on Holiday to Around Brexit Date. Would you?

112 replies

KennDodd · 25/09/2018 12:51

I haven't booked yet. I have contacted my insurance company and travel agent (haven't asked airline) and asked if I would be covered if my holiday was disrupted/cancelled due to planes not flying or other chaos. They have both basically said they don't know. I assume EU consumer law would also no longer apply?

AIBU to write to fucking twat Dominic Raab and ask him to personally guarantee (with financial compensation from his own pocket) that I will not lose money and my holiday won't be disrupted?

OP posts:
Figural · 26/09/2018 06:32

...all because we are leaving a club?

It's a club that signs international treaties, trade agreements and numerous other agreements on our behalf, including the one that allows airlines to overfly other countries. In leaving the EU we would be leaving all those treaties and agreements on 29 March 2019 with nothing in their place.

We cannot legally sign new agreements while still a member of the EU, unless we incorporate EU rules into those agreements. This is what Germany does in its agreements with China. We can do that too, while in the EU.

ForalltheSaints · 26/09/2018 07:54

I would not. I expect that border agency staff will be in short supply and customs/border control will be a nightmare for the first couple of weeks or so.

Some airlines have allegedly a clause in their terms and conditions that means they absolve themselves from any costs if Brexit causes delays.

ferretface · 26/09/2018 08:04

The technical notice on this says that the UK would allow planes to land in a no deal scenario in the absence of the open skies agreement. So the question would become whether EU27 would allow planes from the UK to land with no agreement governing it until something was figured out. I suspect they would. However we wouldn't book a holiday or flights traveling over this period until it's been guaranteed that no deal isn't going to happen, I wouldn't like to be relying on people's goodwill alone....

Satsumaeater · 26/09/2018 08:05

On another thread I suggested booking flights and accommodation separately to mitigate the risk. The airlines will refund the cost of the flights if they can't provide the service, but you wouldn't be able to claim compensation for lost accommodation costs etc. But if you book accommodation on the basis that you can cancel up to say 48 hours before (some even allow by 1pm on the day) you won't lose that money.

It might be safer to say go to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man (by ferry).

Although I am prone to being a cup half empty person, I kind of have to agree with my son who said "how can we possibly be the only country in the world which isn't allowed any transport in or out". And I think that's the common sense answer. However, do we think our politicians have any common sense (I use "our" to mean UK and EU)?

Satsumaeater · 26/09/2018 08:06

Some airlines have allegedly a clause in their terms and conditions that means they absolve themselves from any costs if Brexit causes delays

Just to clarify again, this means no compensation. It does not mean they can keep the money you paid for the flights.

mum11970 · 26/09/2018 08:08

Wouldn’t even think twice about it.

ChasedByBees · 26/09/2018 08:10

Nope.

serenmoon · 26/09/2018 08:11

If you are going to Europe after Brexit then you should think about health travel insurance too as EHIC will no longer be valid in no deal situation and current health insurance policies rely on EHIC picking up the tab first and them only covering the extras.

MaryShelley1818 · 26/09/2018 08:21

We’re taking DS to Disneyland Paris in May - it never crossed my mind tbh. Absolutely can’t wait 😊

Poloshot · 26/09/2018 08:23

You've got to be having a laugh

Basecamp65 · 26/09/2018 08:28

I think we will sort things out to prevent total chaos - but that does not mean everything will run smoothly.

I think the possibility of people being completely stranded is remote but the possibility of delays/cancellations etc is very high.

If you and your family could cope with a couple nights in an airport or several hundreds of pounds extra costs without falling apart - and mine could - then I would book.

But if I had very young children/SN to consider or my budget was extremely tight I would not risk it.

It will only be a short while before things settle and you could book future breaks. If you have already booked I would hope for the best - but plan for the worst.

My concerns for Brexit are around the few months afterwards and then in the medium term I am not that worried. I do not believe the consequences of Brexit will be fully known for 10-15 years and they will be economic - flights in and out will be sorted in a few months.

Satsumaeater · 26/09/2018 09:11

My son's school has a trip to Malta in April, I would not have booked that and I am surprised they are running it to be honest.

They also have a trip in July to an EU country - I imagine by then things will have been sorted out flights-wise, but it will be a pain if they suddenly have to get visas for everyone (although I suspect there are quite a few with EU passports).

Anyway I am not booking anything until I know what is happening. Separately it looks like my June holiday plans are now messed up too as I read on another thread that the exam boards have a contingency exam date of 26 June (nothing to do with Brexit I don't think) which means the week I've taken off work is now unavailable for us to go away - at least I'd not booked anything. I think 2019 is going to be a write-off for trips :(

Ta1kinpeace · 26/09/2018 12:14

The airlines will refund the cost of the flights if they can't provide the service
THat is NOT what it says in the small print people were checking earlier.
If political action stops them providing the service, they are not liable

bigKiteFlying · 26/09/2018 13:19

They also have a trip in July to an EU country - I imagine by then things will have been sorted out flights-wise, but it will be a pain if they suddenly have to get visas for everyone

I'm paying currently for a July school trip - I assumed things would have calmed down by then.

I'm hoping visa aren't needed or if they are we get enough notice to get one- and insurance with the EHIC has been considered they say cost includes comprehensive travel and medical insurance so I'm hopeful.

explodingkitten · 26/09/2018 13:27

*Does anyone seriously believe that the governments of 28 states will allow a situation to arise where there would be thousands of Brits trapped in 27 countries, and thousands of Europeans trapped in the UK, all because we are leaving a club?

Seriously?*

This is not the fault of the EU. The UK decided to get out of the EU. You can't seriously expect that all the EU arrangements are kept on the table without a deal just because the UK won't sort it's shit out.

Ta1kinpeace · 26/09/2018 15:25

The EU are utterly stuck.

The UK cannot decide if it wants to stay inside the Customs Union
(in which case all of the extant deals carry on)
or leave the Customs Union
(in which case the deals all lapse at once)

Until the UK decides what it wants, nobody has a clue.

Backstabbath · 26/09/2018 16:55

For the love of god will everyone calm down.

Deal or no deal, something will be in place and planes will be in the skies above the uk in March 29th and beyond.

It's inconceivable to believe all planes will be grounded... the airlines would already be up in arms and they do not seem to care.

Ta1kinpeace · 26/09/2018 17:37

the airlines would already be up in arms and they do not seem to care.
They most certainly do care
and they ARE up in arms
but Gove has had enough of experts as its all Project fear

Businesses are sick to the back teeth of being ignored by politicians
hence why Heathrow have let it be known that they have budgeted for a two month total shut down

LIZS · 26/09/2018 17:39

We're hoping to go skiing in April but Easyjet don't seem to have released their flights yet Confused

explodingkitten · 26/09/2018 17:44

@Backstabbath

That attitude doesn't help get things done. And a hard Brexit was once inconceivable too.

explodingkitten · 26/09/2018 17:46

@Backstabbath

Do you remember when the icelandic volcano erupted and a large part of European aviation was grounded for weeks?

Satsumaeater · 26/09/2018 17:54

The airlines will refund the cost of the flights if they can't provide the service. THat is NOT what it says in the small print people were checking earlier. If political action stops them providing the service, they are not liable

Oh not this chestnut again.

No they are not liable. But they cannot keep your money if they can't provide the service.

Lets try another example. You go to a shop and pay in advance for a product they need to order. The shop finds out they can't get the item for whatever reason. Not their fault. But that does not mean they get to keep your money - they have to refund it. However, they won't have to compensate you if for example you were relying on that product to do work on your house and now the work will have to be delayed.

There is a difference between refunds and compensation.

Ta1kinpeace · 26/09/2018 17:58

Satsuma
I think you will find that "Force Majeur" exclusions are pretty widespread

if the vendor is unable to complete the contract through absolutely no fault of their own, they cease to be liable

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 26/09/2018 18:04

Insurance is there to cover unforseen / act of God events. Such as weather related or a fire at the airport preventing you getting your flight. Political upheaval isn't generally covered. It is meant to compensate people when something unexpected happens that they couldn't have planned for. So no I don't think it would cover Brexit. If everyone wanted a policy that could cover every scenario of political upheaval it would cost more than the actual holiday. I don't we can blame Brexit not being covered on insurers being shit and wanting to get out of things!

juneau · 26/09/2018 18:08

I'm not booking any overseas travel after 30th March until I know what's happening with Brexit - and that includes countries not in the EU. The red tape we're currently tied up in as members of the EU all has to be unpicked and new treaties signed with each and every member state. There are no guarantees at present that planes, Eurotunnel trains, ferries or any other transport that leaves Britain will be able to operate after we leave the EU. Anyone booking travel is taking a big risk IMO, because insurance policies aren't worded to include Brexit risk!