Air

Practicalities Getting There Air Checking In 

Allow plenty of time for this, particularly as arriving early gives you a better chance of getting your preferred seats (and remembering that check-in time is the latest time for getting there, not for joining the back of the queue).

If travelling as a sole carer and/or with small children it is worth going straight to the business or even first class desk to avoid any economy class queue. You are unlikely to be turned away - though it is a possibility.

Some airlines do permit check in of luggage up to 12 hours in advance, which can make the airport experience more bearable.

Being Bumped

Apart from giving you a better choice of seats, arriving early for check-in should eliminate the chances of being bumped from your flight. One report by American Express indicated that one in 10 passengers are bumped from their flights because of overbooking by airlines. You are slightly less likely to be bumped if you have a pre-assigned seat and have both booked direct and reconfirmed with the airline. You are more likely to be bumped if you have a restricted, economy ticket.

Note that while EU regulations for example indicate that airlines should make a particular effort to ensure handicapped passengers and unaccompanied children can fly as planned, there is no mention of anything similar for families.

If you do get bumped you should get compensation, though EU regulations on this currently only refer to scheduled carriers and flights originating in an EU country. To qualify you must have a valid ticket (status ‘OK'); a confirmed reservation; and must have checked-in by the deadline given to you by the airline.

In this case the airline must give you the choice of a full refund on your ticket (half the return fare), or another flight as soon as possible, or another flight at a later date of your choice.

The airline must also pay you compensation in cash (unless you would prefer vouchers and these are offered). The amount depends on the length of the missed flight and on how late you are getting to your final destination.

Compensation for a flights of up to 3,500km with a delay of up to two hours would entitle you to a payment of around €75 (around £50). If the flight is further than 3.500km and the delay more than four hours the payment is €300 (around £200). The regulation does not specify any details on payment for children and infants and while some airlines will make payment for a full fare, others point to the element of the regulation which refers to the compensation not exceeding the price of the ticket, and so pay less.

In addition the airline should get a message through to your point of arrival, provide meals and refreshments, plus accommodation if the delay is overnight.

For further information see Air Transport Users Committee .

In the US there is a payment of US$200 if you can't get to your destination on an international service less than four hours late.

Delays

If you find out that the flight is delayed before you go through to the departure lounge, think about delaying this. That way you increase your range of potential entertainment while waiting. The spectator gallery is a good option.

If the delay is significant think about leaving the airport altogether (though you will have to OK, this with your airline first). Airports are bright, noisy and expensive places to spend a lot of time and not ideal for keeping children relaxed.

Given the increasing possibility of delays think about paying the premium for travelling at convenient times so that if there is a delay at least you're not stuck in the middle of the night with no distractions available.

Alternatively consider going for a meal or more in an airport hotel. You could buy day membership to a hotel gym and pool - assuming that you still have access to any swimming costumes you need.

Alternatively ask about access to club lounges which may be available on payment of a one-off fee. These are generally aimed at business people, not families, so might be best made use of before the strain of waiting has caused major eruptions in your offspring. The calmer atmosphere might help prevent one happening at all.

Flying by charter as part of a package holiday ABTA stipulates that if delayed you should be offered light refreshment after a three-hour delay, a snack after six hours and a meal and hotel room after 12 hours. This applies even if the cause of delay is outside the operator's control.

Otherwise policy on compensation for delayed flights differs from carrier to carrier. Some only offer refreshments, accommodation or refunds if the delay is their fault. This means that in the event of an air traffic problem there will be no compensation. Furthermore, if there are only business class seats left on the next available flight, you might well have to pay the fare difference if you wanted to use them.