Bits: BA Holidays / Sandals promo, new EU ruling extends flight delay compensation

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News in brief:

Special BA Holidays / Sandals deals

British Airways Holidays has teamed up with Sandals, ‘the World’s leading all inclusive resorts’ (in quotes because I have never been to one).

The promotion offers discounts of up to 55% at any of the 12 Sandals resorts when packaged with BA flights. You need to book by 22nd August for travel at any point until the end of 2017.

Remember that you earn 2 Avios per £1 spent at BA Holidays, on top of the usual Avios from your flights. Following recent changes, you pay a deposit now and only need to pay the balance five weeks before travel.

Full details can be found on this special BA Holidays page here.

New EU ruling on flight delay compensation

The screw continues to turn on airlines who attempt to get out of their obligations to pay passengers the legally obliged compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.

You may remember my article on Huzar vs Jet 2. This was a landmark case which meant that airlines could not escape paying out due to mechanical problems or lack of alternative aircraft.

The latest European Court of Justice ruling covers flight delays that were caused by bird strikes.

Commenting on a Czech case where a delay was caused by a bird strike, Advocate General Bot said the court does not consider bird strikes an “extraordinary circumstance” and therefore airlines should be responsible for compensation for delays caused by them.

The opinion of the Advocate General, while not legally binding, is apparently usually consistent with the official judgment that follows later. Once finalised, the judgment would be legally binding throughout Europe and cannot be appealed.

More information on the case can be found here.