According to recent statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority* (CAA), flight punctuality in the UK dropped to 71% last summer, down from 79% in summer 2013. To help travellers plan ahead and to understand their rights if problems arise, Airport Parking and Hotels has created a comprehensive guide highlighting airline policies for delayed or cancelled flights. This is available in the Know Before You Go section of the website, at www.aph.com/flightdelays. 

The research compares 25 major airlines, including British Airways, EasyJet, Iberia and Virgin Atlantic, highlighting the policies relating to cancelled flights, delayed flights, refund procedures and any legal stipulations.

All major airlines included in the research were found to provide similar amenities to passengers when a flight is cancelled or delayed. For example, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic all offer passengers delayed by over four hours  complimentary meals and refreshments as well as two telephone calls, telefax or emails. Whereas, some airlines including Alitalia and Japan Airlines only offer meals and refreshments on flights delayed by over five hours and do not stipulate if telephone calls or emails are included.

In regards to cancelled flights, all airlines offer passengers the option to re-book the next available flight to their original destination free of charge. Additionally, if a passenger requires an overnight stay, most airlines, apart from Alitalia, guarantee complimentary hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and place of accommodation.

All airlines highlighted in the research offer a full refund if the cancelled flight is due to non-extraordinary circumstances. Passengers must note that refunds will only be processed via original form of payment for example credit card used at purchase. Additionally, Air France, Delta Airlines, and KLM passengers may choose travel vouchers of a higher value instead of obtaining a direct refund.

Travellers should be aware that time taken to process a refund varies according to airlines, for example, Aer Lingus specifies that reimbursement can take up to seven working days, whilst in contrast KLM may take up to four weeks to handle refund requests.

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit,

www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

-ENDS-

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK's award winning long stay airport parking operator and booking agency, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a fifth year running at British Travel Awards 2015. This year APH also celebrates its 34th year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

Notes to Editors

*Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) - Flight punctuality at UK airports falls in third quarter of 2014, http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&pagetype=65&appid=7&mode=detail&nid=2415 

Media Enquiries

Sarah Salord / Lauren Hill / Paula Peralta / 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk