As you wait in the airport for your plane during the air traffic delay crisis (or GateGate as we call it) some Holidelays and Don’ts on how and what to claim.

And all those Brexiteers will no doubt be aghast that passengers are still governed by EU law.

And will therefore not claim compensation for delays of three hours or more.

Our friends at the International Drivers Association point out that compo depends on the following conditions:

1. Departure from an EU airport, or arrival at an EU airport with an EU airline.
2. Delay is more than three hours.
3. The airline is responsible for the delay.

Watch your pennies

Ensure you cancel any booking or parking to avoid surcharges.

And keep your expenses minimal.

Many travellers tend to go overboard with unnecessary purchases during delays.

So steer clear of this trap and mind your budget and stick to buying only what is necessary.

This includes meals, drinks, transportation, and even accommodation if necessary.

How to lodge a claim

Contact the airline, refer to the airline’s delay/cancellation policy, and state your claim.

Include your flight details, length of the delay, and incurred expenses.

Arm yourself with knowledge and persistence—sometimes, airlines might initially reject your claim.

But if you’re eligible under EU laws, don’t shy away from appealing the decision.

The downside is if unusual circumstances (like extreme weather or security risks) caused the delay, the airline might not be obligated to compensate you.

But it doesn’t hurt to check.

Your roadmap

Follow these actions whenever a severe delay occurs:

1. Contact the airline ASAP.
2. Keep a record of the delay.
3. Retain all relevant receipts.
4. Lodge your compensation claim.

With these strategies, you can transform a seemingly difficult situation into a manageable one.

And maintain control over your finances, time, and overall travel experience.

I owe you

In truth, I definitely owe hard-pressed airline staff far more than they owe me.

And if I’ve let a four-hour Ryanair delay slide without claiming compo (it’s still there from Edinburgh to Dublin) then it’s small change compared to the help I’ve received at check-in desks around the world.

So when I misread the small print on my connecting flight from Munich to Athens Bertha at the Lufthansa desk my little boy lost act.

And put me on the next flight without paying an extra Euro and avoided turning a Greek tragedy into a crisis.

Add to that flights back from London to Dublin when either me or my trip providers got the times wrong.

Or when a certain Scary One wasn’t on the list for our Air France flight to Amsterdam.

All were resolved.

Of course for thousands of passengers stranded in airports and across Europe they clearly have not been so fortunate.

I only hope these Holidelays and Don’ts help and that you’ve had a good break.

Because money can always be replaced… memories can’t.