These are frustrating times for travellers. Thousands have had their travel plans dashed, and the airlines are struggling to keep up with customer complaints and queries.
Nevertheless, if either BA or Easyjet cancel your flight, you are entitled to a full refund. Typically, you could do this by visiting the respective website and apply for a refund and expect to receive this in full within a week. This deadline was set by European air passengers’ rights rules.
However, these are extraordinary times and both websites have removed this facility from their website. The hope is that passengers will accept a voucher to fly sometime in the future after the coronavirus pandemic is over.
If a voucher doesn’t suit, you can still get your refund as is your right, but you must phone the airline. If you can’t get through straight away, don’t worry, you have a year to apply from the date of the flight.
Try these numbers:
Easyjet customer service: 0330 365 5000
British Airways customer service: 0344 493 0787
To rebook a flight call 0800 727 800 from the UK, or +44 (0)203 250 0145 from outside the UK.
You may find it hard to communicate with airlines at the moment as they are experiencing an extremely high volume of calls and are also in dire financial straights.
Refund holiday
Canada has become the first major country to allow airlines to offer travel vouchers rather than cash refunds for cancelled flights.
UK based airlines are urging the government to do the same.
Airlines UK, representing British Airways, Easyjet, Jet2, TUI Airways and Virgin Atlantic, has asked the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for a “refund holiday” until the coronavirus pandemic is over.
They are seeking a “refund holiday” or be permitted to offer “vouchers” instead.
In the meantime, airlines are offering free rebookings should you decide you no longer wish to travel at this time and are happy to rebook.
Updates to follow.
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