Anyone nervous booking a holiday abroad due to this cancelling of flights and fear or extra costs ?

[cleo333]

Hi I would like to book but am a bit cautious , should I be . Your thoughts ?

What extra costs are you worried about?

No, we already booked our Summer holiday back at Christmas and deal with any fallout if it happens. I know there is some talk about airlines consolidating flights and cancelling underbooked ones.

We booked for March 2027 and yes, prices for flights did go up as we are going to Vietnam and everyone is avoiding Emirates now. But it's a long planned trip and we moved some savings around.

I do think the situation will stablise from a jet fuel point of view as the pressure to sort this out will come from an economical point, not necessarily weapons.

I agree mostly with pp since we already booked and paid for our summer flights.

I’d be more worried if I hadn’t booked flights, whether I should go ahead or not!

We aren’t doing a package so we would change our plans a bit and drive (just 20 hours each way haha, we have done 12 hours, not sure how I feel about 20!).

Dh has bought a fully cancellable Eurotunnel slot so we have a travel plan either way.

Last year I needed emergency surgery but luckily insurance covered that. I feel like two cancelled holidays in two years would be really bad luck!

Airlines will refund tickets typically if you can’t fly but there seem to be carve-outs in standard travel insurance policies if your whole trip is cancelled, you might lose money on accommodation.

Some people book their flights separate from accommodation (we have!) as they don’t want a package.

If you haven’t booked your holiday yet, the risk is costs rising sharply as there’s a lot of uncertainty around fuel shortages and prices. You may find your original flight is cancelled and your stuck on another flight that’s less convenient.

We are booked and keeping our fingers crossed

Thanks @AnnikaA I guess it makes sense to try and book a package at the moment then so at least it will be cancelled or moved to another date or possible location.

Already booked, a few of the major tour operators have said the price you book at will be the price you pay. Airline operators have to get you to your destination as close as possible to the booked time, so even if there are cancellations, they'll get you on another flight.

I'd recommend getting a package, then even if things get considerably worse, then you'll still get all your money back, and I'd book sooner rather than later as when they do start cancelling flights and grouping them together then there will only be space for those that are already booked.

Yes I’m worried!
Could technically drive to our place but it would take 10 hrs and you’d have to try and book the ferry last minute - not sure how easy that would be 😭

If you are worried book a package holiday protected by abta, they have to get you home and pick up additional costs too. It may not always be the cheapest option when booking but has guarantees. Personally however we are continuing as planned but not flying this year

If someone has already booked there's not much they can do except wait and see. Anyone who hasn't already booked a holiday abroad/a flight would be rather foolish to do so given the current situation.

We booked in Jan & have done separate flight’s & accommodation. I’m not overly worried as there’s nothing I can do about it. However I would be more inclined to book a package if I was doing it now.

I’ve had a few friends post that their holidays are cancelled due to jet fuel situation

No as I generally book my flights separately and choose accommodation that can be cancelled right up until the week of travel.

We were going to book around now for July, decided to stay in the UK for summer. Other factors contributed, lots going on in the extended family, but the fuel situation was a factor.

I would just make sure to book a package holiday, our holiday is DIY so I am a bit nervous (but we go this weekend so fingers crossed we will just manage it!) I currently have part of a DIY holiday booked for next year, but I might cancel it for a package holiday instead. Will see what flight prices look like when they release.

I've booked flights already, no point worrying as there's nothing I can do now. Though I did pay extra for cancellable train ticket to the airport. I've looked into getting to the UK by land but it'd take days and cost too much to go all the way by train

Ferries will book fast I suspect!

I’ve done up to 11.5 hour drives with the kids - it’s cheaper and uses less CO2. A good option if you’re self-catering in Europe even taking into account a pitstop overnight (we have usually made a feature of the pitstops and seen some really nice places in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France we wouldn’t have bothered with usually. But only worth it if you can manage a whole fortnight’s holiday. Pointless for only a week’s holiday. It can be stressful if you aren’t used to driving in Europe and it’s a different kind of holiday than two weeks chilling by a pool tbh.

We’re booked to go to Spain in October so I’m hoping it doesn’t get cancelled but I guess there’s nothing we can do but wait 🫣

Not at all, just been to Turkey, looking for a cruise in October and planning Asia early next year.
If it gets cancelled it gets cancelled, there was no extra costs involved.

@WonderingWanda yes I’d be going for a package with a major tour operator or not at all if I was booking now.

My worry would be pets and work, if our flights home are delayed it’s a disaster for me! And who needs the stress of faffing about with the emergency accommodation and long waits in uncomfortable airports.

UK holidays are looking pretty appealing!

Anyone who hasn't already booked a holiday abroad/a flight would be rather foolish to do so given the current situation

Why?

Right now I'm looking at a holiday in the Canaries in about 4 weeks from now.

I'm weighing up either a Jet2 package or flight only and booking the accommodation directly with the apartment block. If Jet2 want to cancel or change the flight, if I book direct, I can can cancel the accommodation until a couple of days before. If I book a package, I can probably change the date and review nearer the time.

It will all be paid for with a credit card, which also gives additional rights if I end up unfairly out of pocket, so I don't see the risk?

We've booked for the summer with separate flights and accommodation. Our accommodation is with booking.com, payment at the property with us able to cancel upto the day before. I feel pretty secure with that.

Mines with TUI so not worried as will get a refund if it gets cancelled.

They was great during covid when our holiday was cancelled. If that happens we will try to get a Ferry to Ireland last minute

Well yes and no. It's crossed my mind, but even so we just booked a week away yesterday. We booked a package with a major tour operator, so if it's cancelled they need to refund the whole thing. Also booked on a credit card for the additional Section 75 protection.

It wasn't trip of a lifetime money, much more of a cheap and cheerful break, so it's of course more than I'd like to lose but ultimately we'd survive if we did.

Biggest worry is disappointment for all of us but mainly DD - however if it does get cancelled we'll plan some extra special fun stuff near home, or possibly drive to visit friends/ family to make the most of the annual leave.

Yes I’m worried about it,

not sure that if flights wind up cancelled I’ll get my money back. Also I’m disabled so not easily able to cope with different airports/long journeys etc.

i’m booked for Switzerland for June so we’ll see how that goes.