Airlines got into difficult financial situation last year. Not only low-cost airlines have become insolvent but major airlines also suffer due to Covid lockdown restrictions. What can a passenger do who could not travel and did not receive a ticket refund? Obviously, certain airlines were supported by government bailouts to survive. It can be a
2021.03.03.
Airlines got into difficult financial situation last year. Not only low-cost airlines have become insolvent but major airlines also suffer due to Covid lockdown restrictions. What can a passenger do who could not travel and did not receive a ticket refund?
Obviously, certain airlines were supported by government bailouts to survive. It can be a short-term solution, but it is important that these state aids should not be banned.
Passengers who could not travel last year due to the restrictions, they had troubles getting a ticket refund from almost each airline. Therefore, the European Commission made a recommendation in May 2020.
Under the Recommendation passengers have the choice to accept reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket either in cash or in the form of a voucher. In order to make vouchers more attractive, air carriers should issue vouchers with a higher value than the amount of any payment made for the ticket. It is also essential that the vouchers must have a longer validity period. This is very important 9 months after the Recommendation, as there are still travel restrictions due to the pandemic.
What can we do if the carrier become insolvent? This is a difficult question. First of all, we have to check if the Member State has a Fund to provide support to air carriers. If so, it is possible to file a claim against it. If not, the creditors should have the possibility to lodge their claims in insolvency proceedings. If it is a larger airline, it can be a member of any association providing a fund for these cases.
As most airlines are headquartered abroad, so the above procedures are not only complicated for an average passenger but they are more expensive than a claim for the refund. Therefore, it is always necessary to examine case by case if it is worth taking further legal action.
Whenever you need to get on a plane to travel the first question pops into mind: what items can be carried on a plane? What is the allowed size for my luggage and what can I carry on board? The allowed size of a carry on varies from airline to airline and can also depend
2020.08.24.
Whenever you need to get on a plane to travel the first question pops into mind: what items can be carried on a plane? What is the allowed size for my luggage and what can I carry on board? The allowed size of a carry on varies from airline to airline and can also depend on the type of your ticket. Generally speaking it is 115 cm that is allowed on board, this is the total perimeter of the bag, but to be on the safe side always check with your carrier in advance.
Don’t count on the possibility to just throw all items that are not allowed on board into your suitcase, by the time of the security check, you and your suitcase are on two different locations you do not have access to it any longer. What are the absolutely prohibited items on board? Firearms (including firearm replicas and firearm parts) and ammunition Stick or club type sporting goods Knives and cutting instruments Paintball guns Power tools and 6cm or larger hand tools Dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) or anything that is sharp, pointy or can blow up… If you are taking off from Liszt Ferenc International in Budapest you are also not allowed to take your roller blades, handcuffs, weights, bicycle lock, steak hammer or your walnut grinder. Just admit it these items aren’t really necessary on board. But what is it that you might need but still might be restricted? Liquids: containers holding liquid and gel products must have a capacity of no greater than 100 ml (3.4 fluid ounces). You might be requested to put these in a small ziplock bag distributed by airport security.
This regulation pertains to soft drinks and medication alike. It is advisable to carry a note from your doctor stating the need and directions of use of your medication. Should you wish to pack some food to carry on board with you, bear on mind that same restrictions apply to yogurts, jams and honey. Food items like baby formula can be carried on board if you are travelling with an infant. Exception: duty-free items purchased at the airport. These don’t have the 100ml limitation, if you keep them in the special sealed temper-evident bag with the purchase slip attached.
Be careful these bags are not always permitted through security checkpoints at different countries for example a bag received in a US airport might not have the necessary ICAO permits in Europe or Japan and so your items could be confiscated.
Than what shall I put into my carry-on?
There are 3 things to consider: - what is it that you don’t want to loose? Like personal, travel or important business documents. House and car keys, credit cards, money. Tablet, laptop and their chargers. Valuable or favorite jewelry, watch. - what will you need while on board? Depending on the lenght of the flight, you may need a sandwich, fruits, snacks, a book, magazines, tissues, medication, a warm sweater extra socks, hand creme. (be aware that the last one qualifies as liquid) - what is it that you will need at arrival? Although it is quite uncommon, but if your checked bag gets delayed by the airline you could get use of a set of clean clothing until you get hold of it again.
An umbrella could be useful if you happen to have to walk on the tarmac from the plane to the terminal building on a rainy or snowy day.
And at last the latest very exciting special regulation:
Drones:
as of April 2020 when leaving from Budapest you can put one into your carry-on. But at the security check point you will be required to take it out and put it on a separate belt for inspection. It is suggested to check the regulations on drones also at the port of arrival and at the port of your return flight and airline. We hope that we could provide you with some useful basics on what and how to pack your carry-on. Have a nice flight!
Should your flight be delayed or cancelled, you already know where to find us: www.flightrefund.com
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