Tom Earnshaw
Thousands of Brits with tickets for easyJet flights have been urged to claim up to £350 compensation after dozens of flights were cancelled by the airline.
One travel compensation expert has come out to explain how simple it is, especially if you're having doubts about claiming the cash.
Under EU law, travellers can claim compensation for a number of reasons if their plane is delayed or cancelled. It's easier to claim than you might think.
Last month, 27 return flights between the United Kingdom and Portugal were cancelled by easyJet across 15 to 17 August.
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They were cancelled with very little notice due to cabin crew going on strike across these dates, with more than 200 flights in and out of Portugal scrapped due to the walk out.
For those arriving back in the UK, it impacted many travellers landing at Gatwick and Luton airports as well as Manchester Airport.
Under EU law, experts at travel compensation specialists AirAdvisor are now stressing those impacted by this can claim up to £350 per ticket.
Anton Radchenko, who heads up AirAdvisor, explains that you can claim compensation if your journey is disrupted as a result of certain types of strike action. In particular this is airline staff strikes but not air traffic control or airport staff strikes.
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"For flights within between the UK and EU countries the compensation that you can claim usually sits between £220 and £520 per passenger," Radchenko adds.
"This advice could be particularly relevant for Brits whose summer holidays to Portugal were disrupted by airline staff strike action across three days in mid-August, who depending on the distance of their flights could be due between £220 ad £350 in compensation.
"Some travellers believe that strikes fall under ‘extraordinary circumstances’ and therefore invalidate compensation, however this is not always the case."
In general, for flights up to 1,500km you can claim £220 per ticket. That is for flights that are delayed by three hours or more.
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For flights between 1,500km and 3,500km delayed by three hours, you can claim up to £350 per ticket.
Finally, for flights travelling that are more than 3,500km, you can claim £260 for delays between three and four hours. This will be £520 per ticket if the delay goes over the four hour mark.
If you meet the criteria, then yes. One Money Saving Expert reader, called Celia, emailed Martin Lewis in early September, saying: "My Heathrow to Barcelona flight was cancelled at 9pm the day before due to 'operational constraints'. We were put on the next flight.
"I used your tool, and have received an email today confirming a successful claim totalling £440 for me and my son. Thank you very much, I am delighted."