Summer holidays: Dates, passenger rights and tips against boredom

Soon it will be summer holidays and with them the peak travel season at airports. The summer holidays are one of the best times of the year for students, but also for many adults. But how long do the summer holidays actually last? Can they start as early as you like? Who sets the other holiday dates and what is the basis for the summer holiday regulations? In this blog article, we will take a closer look at these questions.

In addition to the holiday dates, we also take a look at a topic that affects many travellers: air passenger rights during the summer holidays. With an increasing number of people flying off on holiday, many airports are at risk of becoming crowded. It is therefore important to know what rights you have as an air traveller under the UK261 Regulation. For example, what are your rights in the event of a flight delay, denied boarding, flight rebooking or long waiting times at the airport? And what can you do if your flight is cancelled or delayed?

Finally, we offer you some tips to prevent boredom during the summer holidays. Whether you’re staying at home or travelling, these ideas will help you make the most of your time away and create unforgettable experiences. Look forward to informative and entertaining content all about summer holidays!

How long are the summer holidays?

The summer holidays in the UK typically last for at least six weeks. This duration is driven by practical considerations, facilitating the organisation of businesses and authorities to arrange for parental and guardian substitutions and mitigate traffic congestion. Additionally, it contributes to a balanced demand for holiday offerings.

Can the summer holidays start as early as you like?

No. The summer holidays cannot start as early as you like. The exact dates for the summer holidays depend on the church holidays in the respective year. In years in which Easter and Whitsun fall later, the summer holidays must also start later to ensure that there is enough time for learning and examinations at the end of the school year. This is to allow pupils a reasonable amount of time for their school commitments.

Who sets the other holiday dates?

In the UK, the other holiday dates, such as the Easter holidays, autumn holidays, and Christmas holidays, are typically determined by the education authorities of each state government within the UK. Each country, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, independently sets its holiday dates.

What is the basis for the summer holiday regulations?

In the UK, the basis for summer holiday regulations is primarily determined by the education authorities of each country within the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each country has its educational regulations that also govern holiday dates.

• In the UK, the duration of holidays during a school year is influenced by educational considerations, and the total number of school days, including twelve Saturdays, is typically around 190 to 195 days. However, the specific number of holidays and their distribution can vary by region and educational authority.
• The summer holidays in the UK are staggered regionally, with each country within the UK determining its holiday dates. The period for summer holidays generally falls between mid-July and early September, aligning with the academic calendar. However, the exact dates can vary between countries and regions.
• Other consecutive holiday periods, such as those during Easter, autumn, and Christmas, are determined independently by each country within the UK, reflecting local educational needs and considerations.

Summer holidays: Many airports are at risk of becoming crowded

Millions of travellers from all over the world set off for their holiday destinations during the summer holidays, be it for relaxing beach days, adventurous city breaks or unforgettable adventures. But while the anticipation of travelling is growing, it is already becoming apparent at many airports that things could get tight. The combination of increased passenger numbers, technical problems, strict security measures and unforeseeable factors such as weather conditions (storms) are leading to flight delays, cancellations or rebookings. In particular, at busy airports such as Frankfurt am Main, Berlin-Brandenburg, Istanbul, London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol and Madrid Barajas, there could be challenges in flight operations.

There is currently chaos at many airports. Passengers are having to wait hours for security checks, baggage is being left behind and flights are being cancelled time and time again. Demand for air travel has skyrocketed after three years of the coronavirus pandemic. However, airports and airlines still lack sufficient staff to cope with the rush.

In this respect, travellers should prepare for possible inconveniences by checking their flight details well in advance, allowing sufficient time for check-in and security checks and reacting flexibly to any changes. A close eye on up-to-date flight information and a dose of patience could prove helpful in enjoying your summer holiday despite potential bottlenecks at the airports.

If you are affected by a flight delay or cancellation, you can find your delayed or cancelled flight on the Flightright passenger rights portal under the heading “Current flight delays and cancellations”. You can check your entitlement to compensation in 2 minutes using Flightright’s free compensation calculator. Flightright will then enforce your claim for you and ensure that you receive your rights.

Flight cancellation on the last day of the holiday – missed lessons or are you excused?

Many parents are familiar with the dilemma when the planned flight is cancelled on the last day of the holiday, making it impossible to attend the first day of school. If your flight is cancelled and you are unable to attend lessons as a result, the handling of missed lessons and excusals is typically subject to the policies and discretion of individual schools. Parents or guardians are advised to communicate promptly with the school, explain the circumstances, and follow any specific procedures outlined by the school authorities to address such situations.

Our recommendations for flight cancellations on the last day of the holiday

Flight cancellation on the last day of the holiday – what you can do:

• If your flight is cancelled, you should contact the school immediately and inform them of the reasons and the expected duration of the absence. This will be accepted as a temporary excuse.
• You have the right to make two telephone calls, telexes, faxes or e-mails to the airline free of charge to make contact.
• Please note, however, that there may be different regulations depending on the school, which you must comply with.
• Keep all documents relating to the flight cancellation (notification from the airline, boarding card) in a safe place so that you can use them as proof.

Flight chaos during the summer holidays – what rights do travellers have under the UK261 Regulation?

Since 2004, European air travellers have enjoyed special protection under EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation confirms that denied boarding, flight cancellations or significant flight delays are a nuisance for passengers. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines are obliged to compensate passengers for these inconveniences with compensation of up to 600 euros (equivalent to 520 pounds). The Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (UK261), takes the EC261 Regulation and all the rights you get under it so passengers’ protection continues. Find out more about your rights as an air traveller.

Experienced a flight delay during the summer holidays – What are my rights as an air traveller?

• In the event of a flight delay of at least 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation following the UK Passenger Rights Regulation.
• The amount of compensation is between £220 and £520, depending on the flight route.
• You are also entitled to compensation for missed connecting flights.
• If the waiting time is 2 hours or more, you will be provided with drinks and snacks. However, it should be noted that in this case, the airline must be responsible for the delay.

What am I entitled to if I have to wait a long time at the airport?

• From 2 hours waiting time (short-haul) – entitlement to free drinks and snacks provided by the airline
• From 3 hours waiting time (medium-haul) – entitlement to free drinks and snacks provided by the airline
• From 4 hours waiting time (long-haul) – entitlement to free drinks and snacks provided by the airline
• From a 5-hour waiting time (all routes) – passengers can cancel the flight. The airline must reimburse the ticket costs.
• Departure on the next day – If the departure takes place on the next day, passengers are entitled to an overnight stay in a hotel including a return journey to and from the airport.

Summer holidays – What can I do if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

What do I do if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

• Ask the airline in writing to confirm the reason for the flight cancellation.
• Make sure that you collect all receipts.
• If you have to wait a long time, ask for appropriate care.
• Have your flight checked and demand compensation or a refund of the ticket for the inconvenience caused.

What am I entitled to under the UK261 Regulation in the event of a flight cancellation?

If the airline has informed you less than 14 days in advance, you can claim compensation for a cancelled flight. The amount of compensation for a cancelled flight depends on the flight route. According to the UK261 Regulation, compensation for short-haul flights (up to 1,500 kilometres), such as from London to Edinburgh, is 220 pounds per passenger. For medium-haul flights (up to 3,500 kilometres), the compensation amounts to 350 pounds. For long-haul flights (more than 3,500 kilometres), passengers can claim compensation of 520 pounds from the airline in the event of a cancellation.

It is important to note that the compensation is granted regardless of the ticket price and it does not matter whether the flight was part of a package tour, whether you were travelling on business or whether the flight was booked individually. Passenger rights apply to all passengers. In addition, children with their own ticket are also entitled to compensation if their flight is cancelled.

• Short-haul (up to 1500 kilometres): You are entitled to compensation of £220
• Medium distance (up to 3500 kilometres): You are entitled to compensation of £350
• Long distance (over 3500 kilometres): You are entitled to compensation of £520

According to the UK261 Regulation, the amount of compensation is calculated according to the flight distance:

How long are compensation claims valid?

Flight delay compensation deadline / Flight cancellation compensation deadline:

If your flight departed from or landed in the UK, your claim is valid for 6 years. Even if your flight took place more than 6 years ago, you may still be entitled to a claim. The 6-year period begins from the end of the year in which the incident occurred, e.g. if you had a cancelled flight on 01.01.2017, you can still claim compensation until the end of 2023.

If you had a case of a cancelled or significantly delayed flight during the last 6 years, check your eligibility for compensation before the time runs out!

Summer holidays: tips against boredom

Summertime – the season when the sun is shining, the days are getting longer and the opportunities for unforgettable experiences are endless. Whether you’re enjoying the warm rays on the beach, seeking adventure in the great outdoors or simply want to spend relaxing moments with friends and family, this summer holds a wealth of exciting ideas for enjoying the warm months to the full.

Here are some ideas for an unforgettable summer holiday:

Summer holidays 2023/2024 – What to do when the summer holidays are boring?

• Beach Relaxation in Cornwall:
  • Enjoy sandy beaches like Fistral Beach.
  • Try water sports like surfing.
• Hiking in the Scottish Highlands:
  • Explore scenic trails like the West Highland Way.
  • Climb iconic peaks such as Ben Nevis.
• Exploring Devon’s Coastal Towns:
  • Visit charming seaside towns like Salcombe.
  • Explore coastal cliffs and trails.
• Countryside Retreat in the Cotswolds:
  • Wander through picturesque villages like Bibury.
  • Experience the Cotswold Way walking trail.
• Cultural Delights in London:
  • Visit iconic landmarks like the Tower of London.
  • Explore world-class museums such as the British Museum.
• Golfing in St. Andrews (Scotland):
  • Play a round at the historic St. Andrews Links.
  • Experience golfing in a picturesque setting.
• Wildlife Watching in Pembrokeshire (Wales):
  • Take a boat trip to spot seals and dolphins.
  • Explore the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
• Historic Sites in Bath:
  • Visit the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.
  • Explore the charming Georgian architecture.
• Festivals and Events in Edinburgh (Scotland):
  • Attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
  • Experience the vibrant cultural scene.
• Boating on Lake District Lakes:
  • Cruise on Windermere or Ullswater.
  • Take a paddleboarding or kayaking tour.

Summer holidays 2022/2023: Were you affected by a flight cancellation or delay in summer 2022/2023? The right to compensation and ticket refund is valid for 6 years. Secure your compensation with the help of Flightright’s free compensation calculator!