You have received a notification that your TUI flight is delayed.
It is important to determine your next immediate steps. Should you still proceed as planned to the airport or stay at your hotel or home? Because flight delays can vary in duration, ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours (or even more). If you encounter a 24-hour delay, do you have to wait at the airport until TUI resolves the issue?
It depends…. But mostly the answer is very simple.
Should You Wait or Proceed as Planned?
Where are you right now? At home? At the airport?
1. You Are at the Gate, Waiting for a Flight
If you’re already at the airport, at the gate – stay there.
Wait for updates on your flight.
2. You Haven’t Gone Through Airport Security
If you are at the airport but haven’t gone through security, stay put and check if there are any updates on the flight’s check-in time. If there’s a delay in check-in, don’t proceed to security yet.
If you’re still at your hotel or home, do the same before heading to the airport.
Have you already checked in online?
Wait anyway. Don’t proceed until check-in starts.
3. You Are at Home or Hotel
Find out if check-in time has been changed or not.
Confirm if the check-in time has been changed by calling either TUI or the airport information desk. This will help you determine whether it is necessary to leave for the airport as planned or not. If there is a delay in check-in time, you do not need to rush to the airport. However, if check-in time remains the same, it is advisable to proceed with your plans, especially if you need to complete airport check-in or if you have checked baggage.
If check-in is delayed — wait at home or hotel.
If check-in is not delayed — go to the airport.
How to Check TUI Flight Status Online?
There are three options how to check flight status online:
- Airport website (airport of departure)
- Website of the airline you are flying with (tui.co.uk in this case)
- Flight trackers like Flightradar24
To avoid long waits at the airport, it’s wise to check your flight status before heading there, especially for early morning flights. It’s recommended to check first thing in the morning to see if there are any flight delays or cancellations, so you don’t have to wake up unnecessarily early. You should also check again just before leaving home or the hotel.
Usually travellers find out about the delay:
- By SMS or email notifying about flight delay
- When checking the flight status online
- Already at the airport, or even at the gate
What If You Are Going to Miss Connecting Flight?
TUI provides protection for their connecting flights.
In case you miss your connecting flight with TUI, they will offer you a new flight without any charge. You don’t even have to worry about finding the new flight as TUI will arrange it for you. Initially, you just need to wait for your flight as usual. However, if you do happen to miss your connecting flight, simply approach TUI at the airport and they will help you promptly.
If it’s a self-transfer flight (you are transferring to another flight on your own), then you are responsible for that other flight. In the event of a missed connection, you will need to purchase a new flight by yourself. However, you may have a right to TUI flight delay compensation.
Right to Care at the Airport
If you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to care.
TUI is responsible for taking care of passengers in case of a flight delay.
- If the delay is 3+ hours during the day, TUI must provide you with free meals and drinks, and offer two free phone calls, emails or faxes. These are usually provided as coupons.
- If your flight is delayed overnight, TUI should provide free hotel accommodation and transfer to and from the airport. Additionally, the airline should also offer you a complimentary meal or two.
Get in touch with TUI if you haven’t yet received anything.
Could You Be Entitled to TUI Flight Delay Compensation?
Indeed, you could be entitled to TUI flight delay compensation.
If your flight has been delayed beyond three hours, or if it has been cancelled without a minimum 14-day notice, you could potentially receive compensation of up to 600 euros in accordance with EU law, unless the delay or cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances.
This right is applicable irrespective of the ticket price and the passenger’s nationality.
It’s crucial to retain your boarding pass and other travel documentation for potential use in compensation claims process. If you find the process daunting, there are services that can help you make your compensation claim from TUI – our partners provide such services (use our compensation claim form to initiate a claim).
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of a TUI Strike?
If your TUI flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, the scenario may play out in one of two ways – either the strike is by TUI staff or it originates from another source.
As a rule, if airport staff, or air traffic control initiate the strike, you won’t be eligible for compensation. Such scenarios are deemed extraordinary circumstances, and airlines are not generally held liable.
Conversely, if TUI’s own employees initiating the strike, it’s likely that the airline will be mandated to provide compensation to passengers. Always verify the specifics of your delay or cancellation, and double-check the information provided by the airline.
Read more: TUI Strike Compensation
Can You Get Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, assuming your TUI flight is delayed due to technical complications with the airplane, you could potentially receive flight delay compensation.
Primarily, these issues are not categorised as extraordinary circumstances.
However, there might be exceptions in certain cases, for instance, if hidden manufacturing defects are to be blamed – things like these aren’t considered airline’s fault.
What is your experience with TUI flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with TUI? How did the airline resolve the situation?
Featured photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels