Crisis, what crisis? Holiday travel in uncertain times.

What is really going on with holiday travel.

If you believe everything you hear in the media, it sounds like holiday travel is in complete crisis this year. Whilst I am not trying to say that there are no problems or challenges, it isn’t all as bad as the headlines would suggest. The majority of flights are getting away albeit with some delays on occasion.

After emerging from almost two years of lock-down and travel restrictions it is not unreasonable that most of us want to get away and catch up on the holiday experience we have been craving for some time. Unfortunately, the demand for travel has vastly exceeded the immediate capacity of airlines and airports in the UK. This is due as most of us know to current under-staffing as a result of layoffs during the pandemic. It takes a long time to recruit and train new staff for highly specialised and safety related roles such as ground and cabin crews.

The scale of the problem was recently highlighted by Heathrow airport who publicly apologised for delays citing demand as ‘40 years of passenger growth in 4 months.’ This has resulted in Heathrow announcing a reduction in departures to try to get a grip of the situation.

We also know that several airlines have be cancelling flights – and sometimes at the last minute, causing obvious distress to those trying to get away on holiday.

 

A recent success story.

As a Personal travel Consultant, I have clients flying out every day to holiday destinations and remarkably they have been relatively unscathed by flight cancellations (just a few minor delays). However, a few days ago I was informed by one of my suppliers that one of my clients had just had their return flight with British Airways cancelled – 24 hours before they were about to depart the UK for their holiday. No alternative flight or compensation was offered at that time. So, I scoured my sources and found that another airline had just put up a flight that was similar in timing and the same date as the return flight for my client. I would imagine that this airline had seen the BA cancellation and had capacity to put on a flight and pick up the business.

I immediately put a hold on four seats with this airline for the family, then contacted them to explain that their BA return flight had been cancelled (gasp!) but that I had already secured them an alternative flight which was a schedule difference of approximately three hours.

These flights were slightly more expensive, but both my supplier and I were happy to take ‘the hit’ on this occasion and offer the flights for the same price as the original flight as an apology for the inconvenience. My clients were mightily relieved and are now currently enjoying their holiday in Malta – disaster avoided!

 

So, what does this mean to you?

Imagine if this had happened to you 24 hours before departure, and it was your responsibility to sort this out for your family.

Hopefully this true story has given you another good reason why you should be booking your holiday travel through a trusted Personal Travel Consultant, who will take on the responsibility to find solutions should anything go awry.

During the pandemic, when the only business I was doing was re-bookings, cancellations and getting refunds, I was tested to the limits of my capabilities to deliver the very best service for all my clients. Travel may be back, but as the disruptions of recent weeks have highlighted, we are still a long way from being back to any kind of normality. You need a trusted, knowledgeable professional on your side just as much as ever.

Your holiday means a lot to you and your family, so why not let me help you achieve the holiday experience you will remember for all the right reasons.

My service is free, and you only pay for the holiday you book. You can contact me through my website or just give me a call to chat about your holiday requirement.