The Latest Travel Guidance

As of Tuesday, April 28, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against ‘all travel’ to destinations including Israel, Iran, and Iraq. ‘All but essential travel’ is advised for the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and parts of other popular destinations. Consequently:

• Major airlines such as British Airways (BA), Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar have been operating reduced schedules since the conflict began. However, they are offering increased flexibility to change or cancel bookings to, from, or via the Middle East.
• For example, BA announced on April 28 that passengers booked to travel to or from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh up to October 31, 2026, can request a full refund, even if their flight is still scheduled.
• Travel insurance policies generally do not cover claims if there is an FCDO warning against ALL travel to your destination, though it’s always wise to check with your insurer.
• However, your travel insurance MAY cover consequential costs (e.g., hotel bookings) if the Foreign Office warning was issued after you made your booking.
• If you booked a package holiday and the FCDO warning came after your booking, your provider should offer a suitable alternative. If not, or if the alternative constitutes a “significant” change, you are entitled to a full refund.

Concerns Over Jet Fuel Shortages and Flight Cancellations

The Government asserts there are no current jet fuel shortages in the UK, stating that “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”

Despite this, some experts are raising concerns about jet fuel availability over the summer if the conflict persists. When questioned, Easyjet, Jet2, TUI, and Virgin Atlantic stated they have no plans for cancellations due to fuel shortages. Responses from BA, Ryanair, and Wizz Air are pending.

Crucially, rules have been relaxed, allowing airlines to cancel flights due to the crisis without forfeiting their take-off and landing slots. This provides airlines with greater flexibility to consolidate flights.

Booking Soon? Expect Potential Price Increases

Airlines retain full control over ticket pricing, and some have already increased prices for NEW BOOKINGS ONLY this April due to the ongoing conflict:

• International Airlines Group (owner of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia) confirmed price hikes to “reflect higher fuel costs.”
• Virgin Atlantic has added surcharges: £50 for economy-class return, £180 for premium economy, and £360 for business class (half for single fares).

If you’re planning to book:

• A package holiday offers enhanced protection, covering all elements (flight, hotel, transfers) if the airline cancels.
• Consider booking with free or cheap cancellation options, and be aware that delaying your booking might result in higher prices.

Already Booked? What to Expect Regarding Price Changes

Flight-only bookings: You are unlikely to be charged more. UK aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), mandates that airline terms must be transparent, and any potential price hikes must be clearly communicated before booking, not hidden in fine print.

Even if airlines technically could increase prices retrospectively, it’s “not standard practice,” according to ABTA, which recalls no such instances for flights in the past.

Easyjet, Jet2, TUI, and Virgin Atlantic have confirmed they have no current plans for retrospective price increases. We await responses from BA, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.

Package holiday bookings: These firms CAN add up to 8% to your total trip price, even AFTER you’ve booked, provided you are not within 20 days of departure. This ‘holiday surcharge’ can occur due to currency fluctuations, taxes, or rising fuel costs, as per ABTA.

However, if the price increase exceeds 8%, you must be offered the option to cancel and receive a refund.

Easyjet, Jet2, Kuoni, and TUI have stated they WILL NOT add a ‘holiday surcharge’ to existing bookings due to fuel price increases. We are awaiting responses from BA, Hays Travel, Loveholidays, On the Beach, and Thomas Cook.

Protecting Your Trip: Limited Travel Insurance Options

Most travel insurance, especially basic policies, will not cover Middle East flight disruption, expecting the airline to resolve the issue. The main concern is often unrecoverable knock-on costs for hotels, car hire, and other non-cancellable bookings. Again, most basic policies won’t cover these. For detailed information, consult our separate Middle East Travel Insurance news story.

Don’t Rush to Cancel Your Travel Plans

The Government advises that “there is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans.” It recommends checking with your airline and the FCDO travel advice before departure.

If your trip has NOT been cancelled by your booking firm, avoid making a hasty decision to cancel yourself. If the airline or package provider cancels later, you would be entitled to a refund. Cancelling yourself might also mean losing out on refunds for add-ons or upgrades (e.g., seat upgrades, extra luggage).

For instance, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air confirmed that if they cancel your flight, they will refund add-ons. If you cancel, their normal policies state you will NOT be refunded for add-ons.

Your Rights if Your Trip is Disrupted: Price Rises, Delays, and Cancellations

Flight Delayed or Cancelled? Your Rights at a Glance

Covered by UK/EU Regulations:

• Flights TO the UK: From Anywhere, on UK or EU airline.
• Flights TO the UK: From Inside the EU, on Non-UK & non-EU airline.
• Flights FROM the UK: To Anywhere, on Any airline.

For these, if cancelled by the airline, you are entitled to a refund OR an alternative flight. The airline must also provide assistance during disruption (delay or cancellation).

NOT Covered by UK/EU Regulations:

• Flights TO the UK: From Outside the EU, on Non-UK & non-EU airline.
• Flights entirely outside the UK & EU: On Any airline.

For these, rights vary based on the airline’s policy and its home country’s laws.

Note: If your airline increased the price of your ticket after booking, you would NOT be due the same UK261 protections if your flight was cancelled or delayed. Your rights would depend on the individual airline, as advised by Airlines UK.

UK- or EU-Regulated Flight Cancelled? You’re Entitled to an Alternative (or Refund)

If your flight is cancelled by the airline, you have a legal right to choose between a refund OR an alternative flight (re-routing) to your destination. The CAA confirms these rules apply even if cancellation is due to a jet fuel shortage.

If you choose re-routing, you should be offered an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity, which DOESN’T have to be with the same airline. Don’t book a new flight yourself; your airline has a responsibility to help. Keep all evidence if you must book yourself.

Note: Taking a refund ends the airline’s obligation, so insisting on an alternative flight might be better, especially if flights are scarce.

UK- or EU-Regulated Flight? Your Airline Must Help During Any Disruption

If your flight is delayed, cancelled (and you’ve opted for re-routing), or you’re stranded abroad, your airline has a ‘duty of care’ to provide:

• Regular updates: Via website, app, social media, and email.
• Food and drink: Or vouchers, if delayed for more than two hours (short-haul), three hours (medium-haul), or four hours (long-haul). Keep receipts if you buy your own.
• Accommodation (if needed): For overnight delays, including transport to and from the hotel.
• ‘Means of communication’: Reimbursement for relevant calls.

Keep Receipts: For any food, drink, accommodation, or extra travel you had to purchase yourself. Only reasonable expenses are covered (e.g., no alcohol). Include proof of delay and demonstrate you chose reasonable-cost options.

Extra Flight Compensation: Possible, But Unlikely Here

For UK/EU-regulated flights, additional compensation (£210-£520) is possible if the airline was at fault. However, this compensation is NOT payable if the delay or cancellation is due to an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ – a term not formally defined.

Coby Benson, a solicitor at Bott and Co, suggests that while rising jet fuel prices are inherent to airline operations, a lack of fuel due to issues in Iran potentially would be considered ‘extraordinary’.

Flight Not Covered by UK/EU Rules? Contact Your Airline

If your flight falls outside UK/EU regulations, your rights depend on the airline’s policies and its home country’s laws. The CAA advises contacting the airline directly.

Reclaiming Extra Costs (Hotels, Parking) is Trickier

If your flight is cancelled but you booked hotels or other travel extras separately, the cancellation of your flight does not automatically cancel these. Flexible bookings help. As a last resort, try claiming on travel insurance (coverage not guaranteed) or through your card provider (unlikely if the service is still available).

Booked a Package Holiday? You Have Extra Rights

According to ABTA, if a travel company cancels your package holiday or flight, they must offer you:

• An alternative holiday (if available), OR
• A refund.

Additional Avenues for Refunds if You’re Struggling

If your trip is cancelled and you’re having difficulty securing a refund, you might be able to claim from your card firm, though this isn’t always successful, especially if the provider can still offer the service you paid for:

• Credit Card (Section 75): For purchases between £100 and £30,000, your credit card firm is equally liable if something goes wrong. For purchases under £100, you might use Chargeback.
• Debit Card (Chargeback): Your bank will attempt to reclaim funds from the merchant’s bank. This is a customer service promise, not a legal requirement, and funds can sometimes be clawed back. Claims typically must be submitted within 120 days of purchase.