Help! Would we be ATOL protected if we booked with WestJet to fly to the U.S.?

Kel_3

Hi,

We are looking at booking flights to the U.S. Next summer and Westjet are coming up by far the cheapest (especially if we paid in Canadian dollars, can we do that? But I'm a little worried are flights wouldn't be covered if we booked with them?

Can anyone help with this?

Thanks

Kel

SW17

Depends how you book, but most likely not. If the flights were booked as part of an ATOL-protected package holiday with an ATOL-licensed UK travel company, then the flights would be protected against the airline ceasing operations.

In certain circumstances, flight-only booked through an ATOL-licensed UK travel company may be protected, but generally not.

In both the above cases you would be issued with an ATOL certificate at time of booking.

If you book direct with the airline, there is no ATOL protection. Only UK companies can be ATOL-licensed and in the UK, airlines cannot be ATOL holders (they set up separate tour operating companies to get round this, eg BA Holidays, Virgin Holidays).

I don't know if there is any other statutory protection in Canada for you if Westjet went under, but I would suggest insurance is the best protection here.

richardw

Eu regulation EC 261/2004 applies to their flights leaving from the UK, but not from Canada.

Alan_Bowen

Westjet have been flying for 20 years and are an excellent airline. Although it is clear there is going to be a blood bath on Canadian routes from Gatwick next year with Air Transat, Westjet and Air Canada Rouge touting for business, I very much doubt Westjet will disappear. If you book direct with any airline there is no ATOL protection but use a credit card and if any airline disappears, you can claim a refund from your card issuer under S75 of the Consumer Credit Act

Westin

Alan raises an interesting point on (over) capacity on LGW/YYZ/LGW when all these carriers start flying. I can see consumers benefiting at least short term with all three airlines having to discount and fight for business. Long term I suspect something will need to give. In the mean time lets all keep an eye on the cheapest fares on this route. Even with APD ex UK I suspect we will see some fares around the £79 o/w, if not slightly lower, being touted. Could be a nice cheap weekend break in Toronto next year for Mrs.Westin and I.

Murphy_The_Cat

Westin wrote: »

Even with APD ex UK I suspect we will see some fares around the £79 o/w, if not slightly lower, being touted. Could be a nice cheap weekend break in Toronto next year for Mrs.Westin and I.

Isn't APD £71 for a London-Canada flight ?
That would make the flight £8.