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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Cancel or risk it??!

32 replies

MarianLM · 03/07/2022 08:43

Would love advice on a first world problem holiday dilemma. We’re booked to go to Spain at the start of the summer hols - all the talk of airport chaos, cancellations, queues, delays, plus all the red tape involved in travel and the rising covid numbers are making me very anxious about the whole thing on several levels. OH is leaning towards cancelling/deferring to next Spring. We have till end of this week before lose the option to cancel. Very worried but also desperate to get away after 2 years grounded by the pandemic and would leave a big hole in our summer plans. Any thoughts gratefully received x

OP posts:
rookiemere · 03/07/2022 08:46

Who are you flying with ?

LoonyIdea · 03/07/2022 08:46

I think the airport chaos thing is massively overblown. We flew last week, friends flew this week, absolutely no trouble. Just do it. And get some help for your anxiety.

Luckystar1 · 03/07/2022 08:46

My thinking would be, that a few hours of potential stress in the airport would be worth it for a week (or more?) away to relax and unwind.

2pinkginsplease · 03/07/2022 08:47

Don't cancel.

prepared101 · 03/07/2022 08:47

There's not really any Covid related red tape for going to Spain.

We fly at the end of the month and I'm just allowing an extra couple of hours for airport delays.

prepared101 · 03/07/2022 08:48

LoonyIdea · 03/07/2022 08:46

I think the airport chaos thing is massively overblown. We flew last week, friends flew this week, absolutely no trouble. Just do it. And get some help for your anxiety.

Whilst I agree it's probably overegged in the press there's no comparison to term-time/out of term-time travel!

ZenNudist · 03/07/2022 08:49

If they stuff up your holiday cancel flights etc do you get money back?

Riverlee · 03/07/2022 08:49

Could you go on holiday in the UK instead? You may not have the sunshine, but at least it’ll be a break.

Sharrowgirl · 03/07/2022 08:51

We’re going at the same time as you and I’m not worried. Delays are just standing around getting bored, it doesn’t need to be stressful? Covid red tape is easy if you’re vaccinated, just get your covid pass from the NHS. Rising covid numbers happens in all countries, the numbers go up and down everywhere. I can’t see there’s anything to worry about.

dementedpixie · 03/07/2022 08:52

Depends who you're flying with. We flew with Jet2 and only had a ½ hour delay. We all had covid passports for entry to Lanzarote so that was fine.

Unfortunately 3 out of 4 of us have ended up with covid but I suspect ds was brewing it before we got here and sitting next to him on the plane didn't help. Mild cases luckily although I've lost my sense of smell at the moment

Figgygal · 03/07/2022 08:55

Our holiday was cancelled at the gate may half term not a chance im willing to put my kids through that again this year.

everyone in the industry agrees the summer is going To be carnage id defer to next year

TokyoSushi · 03/07/2022 08:55

Just get on with it. We're going to Greece in august, I know the airport is going to be ridiculously busy, I know there's going to be queues etc. The new MD of Manchester airport was even on TV saying it ain't going to be pretty but we'll get you there.

So if you go knowing that, stay calm, it's just a few hours and then you'll be on a lovely sunny holiday.

BattenburgDonkey · 03/07/2022 08:57

If your flights aren’t cancelled id just go, you may get delayed but so what? Travel industry could be in crisis for a long time yet, and covid isn’t going anywhere, don’t keep delaying fun life experiences, you never no what’s around the corner.

lljkk · 03/07/2022 09:11

It's only time and money you'd lose. None of us can say how important those are compared to what you enjoy about being away.

Tiani4 · 03/07/2022 09:26

It's a really difficult call as it may be fine, it may be a few hours delay or it may be a long one. It's a guess and you can only do what you feel is right for your family.

Our recent holidays to Cyprus, And two to Europe (not me but my 18+ year olds going on post exam trips for latter two holidays) were not delayed by more than a couple hours and 4 hours on the way back home for the first trip. That includes Heathrow Gatwick and Manchester airports.

Original poster
MarianLM · 03/07/2022 10:15

BA/Vueling

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Original poster
MarianLM · 03/07/2022 10:17

Thank you for sharing your experience and the good advice

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Original poster
MarianLM · 03/07/2022 10:18

Thank you for your thoughts

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Original poster
MarianLM · 03/07/2022 10:19

Thank you for the advice

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Original poster
MarianLM · 03/07/2022 10:19

Thank you

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BiFoldChampion · 03/07/2022 10:20

literally looking at my Facebook everyone is getting to holiday and back fine!

AmbushedByCake1 · 03/07/2022 10:21

I would still go. I flew from gatwick at the first day of the May half term, yes it was busy but I arrived half an hour earlier than normal and that was sufficient. The easyjet queue took 30 mins. On our return it took 40 mins to get bags back.

FairyBatman · 03/07/2022 10:21

A delay is only stressful if you let it be. Bring plenty to do, spare chargers / power banks for devices, leave plenty of time at the airport and just go with the flow.

Make sure you carry a change of clothes and some swimwear each in hand luggage, in case bags are delayed.

AmbushedByCake1 · 03/07/2022 10:23

Other top tip is to book premium security. I don't know what airport you are using but at Gatwick it was £5 pp to use the fast track.

Original poster
MarianLM · 03/07/2022 10:23

That’s good to know. I wouldn’t really be worried if we were travelling now - we’re going at the start of school hols and that’s when more chaos is predicted

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