What if my flight from the UK has been cancelled?
All airlines, when flying out of the UK, have obligations under the EU Denied Boarding Regulations. They must offer customers the choice of a replacement flight at the earliest opportunity, or reimbursement of the ticket price.
If your flight is part of a package – ie the flight and a hotel were booked together through a tour operator (whether online or not) – you will be entitled to either postpone your travel, book an alternative trip of equivalent value, or get a refund on the full package price. Contact the tour operator directly. The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has more information on your rights on its site.
What if my flight from the US has been cancelled?
If your flight is with a British or European carrier, you will be entitled to a replacement flight at the earliest opportunity, under the EU Denied Boarding Regulations. If the replacement flight is going the next day or later, the airline must also provide hotel accommodation and the necessary transfers. You are also entitled to meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, plus two free phone calls, faxes or emails. Bear in mind that any accommodation you book should be reasonable (ie don't book into the most expensive five-star hotel you can find), and keep all your receipts.
If your flight is with an American carrier, you will not be protected under the EU regulations and will have to contact your travel insurer to find out whether you are entitled to claim for the missed flight. Click here to see a Guardian Money Q&A on your rights and whether you will be covered by your travel insurance.
How many more flights are likely to be cancelled?
Heathrow reported a total of 59 cancellations on 29 October (47 departures and 12 arrivals).
Virgin Atlantic says its two early morning flights on 30 October from JFK and Newark (flights VS26JFK and VS18) will not go ahead but flights due to depart from Heathrow on 30 October are currently scheduled to go ahead as planned.
American Airlines has cancelled flights AA101; AA139; AA105; AA107; and AA141 on 30 October and says flights will be resumed on Wednesday.
Delta is hoping to restart operations by late Tuesday morning across the region.
At the time of writing, British Airways and United Airlines had not confirmed how many flights will be affected tomorrow. On its website American Airlines also warns: "It is also possible that the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy may force some additional delays and cancellations of scheduled flights beyond Wednesday."
What if I booked my accommodation separately?
A refund would be down to the hotel or the hotel booking service you used. You should also check with your insurance provider.
What about additional compensation?
According to Abta: "Compensation, including compensation for lost time on holiday, isn't due from airlines or from tour operators because the cause of the disruption is an unusual event outside their control."
Will the airports be extra busy once flights have resumed?
A spokeswoman for Heathrow says once flights resume it will be business as usual.
