How to claim for cancelled flights

An IT meltdown at British Airlines caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled. Emma Lunn explains how you can claim compensation.

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BA's IT meltdown caused long queues at check-in
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The bank holiday weekend saw chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick airports after British Airways cancelled hundreds of flights following problems with its computer system. If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund or an alternative flight. Airlines must also offer refreshments and hotel accommodation where necessary if you end up paying for these expenses yourself, keep receipts, as you can claim the money back.

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Emma Lunn

Emma Lunn is a multi-award-winning journalist who specialises in personal finance and consumer issues. With more than 18 years’ experience in personal finance, Emma has covered topics including mortgages, first-time buyers, leasehold, banking, debt, budgeting, broadband, energy, pensions and investments. Emma’s one of the most prolific freelance personal finance journalists with a back catalogue of work in newspapers such as The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, the Mail on Sunday and the Mirror. As a freelancer she has also completed various in-house contracts at The Guardian, The Independent, Mortgage Solutions, Orange and Moneywise. 

She also writes regularly for specialist magazines and websites such as Property Hub, Mortgage Strategy and YourMoney.com. She’s particularly proud of her work writing about the leasehold sector and a Guardian front-page story about a dodgy landlord. She has a real passion for helping people learn about money – especially when many people are struggling to get by in today’s challenging economic climate – and prides herself on simplifying complex subjects.