Which? responds as global IT outage hits airlines

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said:

"Global IT systems failures of this magnitude are almost unprecedented, and anyone with flights today will naturally be deeply concerned by the potential impact to their journeys.

"Keep an eye on communications from your airline, and you may be advised to arrive at the airport early. If you can, avoid checking in a bag as queues for check-in at the airport will be long and IT failures typically lead to lots of lost bags. If you do check-in bags, make sure you keep medication, keys and any other essentials in your hand luggage.

"As these are extraordinary circumstances, compensation will not be payable for delayed or cancelled flights, but airlines nonetheless have a duty to look after you, including providing meals and accommodation if it becomes necessary. They should also reroute you as quickly as possible, though given the global nature of the problem, this may not be immediately possible."