UK-based airline Flybe has announced its closing, leaving many travelers stranded in airports around the world. If this news impacts your travel plans, we’ve rounded up the latest information so you can get home as quickly and safely as possible — or make alternate arrangements for future travel plans.
If you had a flight booked on Flybe, do not head to the airport without first preparing alternate arrangements. If you booked on Flybe services operated by their franchise partners, Eastern Airways or Blue Islands, these are operating as normal, but we encourage you to contact them directly to confirm. If you have a booking sold by another airline that includes travel on a Flybe flight, contact the airline or travel agent directly to confirm if there is any impact to your travel plans.
Here’s some advice to help those impacted
Call your credit card company. If you booked your flight using a credit card, give them a call and see if they’ll work with you on getting your money back. You may be able to claim compensation from their credit card firm.
Check the Civil Aviation Authority website. Flybe has stated travelers should monitor the Civil Aviation Authority website at https://www.caa.co.uk/news/. Flybe’s website will no longer be monitored or updated.
Contact the OTA you booked with. As KAYAK is a travel search engine and not a seller, we don’t service your booking (so we won’t have access to your booking details). If your ticket was purchased through an online travel agency (check your card or bank statement to find out), reach out to them as soon as possible to find out your options.
Contact your insurance company & check to see if your trip is protected. If your trip was insured, you could be eligible to claim back your ticket costs. You’ll want to check your travel insurance policy to see if “scheduled airline failure” is covered. Unfortunately, not all policies offer this as standard. If you booked your flight through a travel agent or as part of a vacation package, it’s possible that the agent’s ATOL protection (Air Travel Organizer’s License) will apply here. This means you might be refunded in full or your agent may be required to book you alternative flights.
Airlines offering discounts to stranded passengers
Several airlines are offering limited “rescue fares” to help stranded passengers make new travel arrangements. These include:
Blue Islands: Blue Islands will operate additional services from Jersey and Guernsey to Exeter and Birmingham Thursday, March 5, 2020 to assist passengers who have an existing Flybe booking confirmation. Check in at the airport, passengers will be flown free of charge, seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
easyJet: easyJet is working to help affected passengers by offering a dedicated rescue fee for customers up until the end of May. A fare of £65 ($84 USD) including a 15kg (33 lbs) hold bag will be available on presentation of their original Flybe booking reference.
British Airways: British Airways is offering Flybe customers discounted one-way fares of £50 ($65 USD) plus taxes, fees and charges. This special fare includes one piece of hold luggage of 23kg (50 lbs). This offer for travel to or from the following cities:
-
- Aberdeen
- Amsterdam
- Belfast City
- Dusseldorf
- Edinburgh
- Geneva
- Glasgow
- Inverness
- Jersey
- Leeds Bradford
- Manchester
- Milan
- Newcastle
- Nice
- Paris
Ryanair: Stranded customers can fly at fares starting from just £19.99 ($26 USD) until the end of April, and these rescue fares are on sale now until midnight Sunday, March 8th. This offer is available for the following routes:
- Liverpool – Knock
- Bournemouth – Dublin
- Belfast – London Stansted
- Bristol – Dublin
- Belfast – Manchester
Please contact these airlines directly for a price quote and the specific terms and conditions of these discounted fares. Stay up to date on airlines offering rescue fares here
Disclaimer
Additional terms and conditions may apply to airline offers above and customers should contact airlines directly for details.
