Latest news with #travelcompany
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Brighton school's football tour cancelled after bus damage
Parents at a Brighton school say their children were left upset after their football tour was cancelled at the last minute due to a damaged at Patcham High School arrived on Monday morning to set off to the Netherlands for a school trip, but plans were halted after their travel company's coach hit school railings, damaging it and leaving it of the affected children are now appealing to the community to help arrange alternative plans to make up for the cancelled school's tour company apologised to children and parents and offered a full refund, while the school added that the company was looking to reschedule the trip for the autumn term. Louisa Fitzgerald, whose daughter was due to go on the trip, told Radio Sussex: "We had 60 very upset students who were desperate to go."We want to bring some joy to them and prove to them that people have their back."Louisa said the trip was due to take the students to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, including playing against local football teams during their time away. 'Incredibly proud' Following the incident, the travel company told parents in a letter seen by the BBC that it had attempted to book alternative travel including Eurostar trains and flights but could not find anything for a group of that size at short notice.A spokesperson for the school said the tour was "set to be a real highlight for many of our young people".Ruth Astley, assistant headteacher at the school, said she was "incredibly proud" of the attitude shown by students despite the disappointment, and said the school was organising an alternative football event with the help of local organisations.
Times
26-06-2025
- Times
Airline left my family stranded after losing the baby's car seat
On our return to Birmingham airport after a package holiday we found that our baby's car seat hadn't arrived. By the time the staff had searched the plane and airport baggage area it was almost 11pm on a Sunday night. We were offered two car seats left behind by other passengers as an alternative (neither was suitable for our ten-month-old son) and that was all. There were no trains by this time so we had to pay for a hotel for my wife and baby to sleep in for the night, because we couldn't legally drive him home in our car (which I drove home with our three-year old daughter). The travel company refused to pay for the hotel and expenses, which left us out of pocket. The car seat was returned eight days later so fortunately we didn't have to buy a new one. Is the travel company liable to pay our additional expenses? I have complained twice but both complaints have fallen on deaf Nottingham Losing luggage can really spoil a trip, or cause great inconvenience if you are on your homeward journey, especially if the missing items are essential, such as a baby's car seat or a wheelchair. You can seek compensation for this, but the key questions are: to what extent is the trip marred and is this all the fault of the travel company? When a flight is cancelled or a hotel is overbooked, it is considered a 'direct loss' and you can expect full compensation for the money you have already paid, along with additional reasonable costs that you may have incurred. If you are unable to do something as a result of an error by a business, or have to pay out additional money due to this error, then things become more complicated. Situations like this are generally referred to as a 'consequential loss', although it's not a popular term with the legal profession. That's because there are a whole range of scenarios that can arise as a consequence of an error caused by a business. The problem with claims of this nature is establishing whether the actions of the business were entirely responsible for your losses, or if there was a suitable alternative that you could have taken. • Going on holiday? Here's how to sort your money out In your case, the safety of your child is paramount. If no suitable alternative could be found to allow you to travel with your family safely and within the law, then the holiday company should certainly consider paying you for the money you were forced to spend on accommodation. However, you'll need to put a strong case to the travel firm as to why this is the case. I'd recommend making a formal complaint, setting out: • The age and requirements of your child.• Why your car seat was suitable for your child.• Why the two alternative seats offered were not suitable.• Your understanding of the law around safe driving (you don't need to be an expert here — not feeling safe is enough. Make sure you explain why). • That the accommodation you chose was reasonable and not overpriced.• Why you didn't claim on your travel insurance and any policy limitations. Having to provide all of this information may feel dreadfully unfair, but it's worth doing. That's because holiday firms have a tendency to compensate only for things that they feel they may be directly liable for. If the business turns you down, check to see if they are members of a scheme that can mediate in a dispute. The Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme gives you financial protection when you book a flight as part of a package deal. And the Association of British Travel Agents has a dispute resolution scheme for customers of their members if things go wrong, as well as other consumer protections. If you're complaining about an airline, ask them about their Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme. Failing that, don't be afraid to threaten them with the small claims court. Martyn James is a consumer rights campaigner covering everything from energy bills to cancelled flights and pothole claims
BBC News
23-06-2025
- BBC News
The weird and wonderful things left on buses
Have you ever got off the bus and realised you left something behind? Well according to travel company Megabus, more than 450 items were left on their buses in just one month including an historic coins and stamp collection and a jar of honey. Other items left by people in the past include three hay bales, a pair of false teeth and a frozen turkey! We want to know if you've ever left anything strange anywhere. Maybe you've found some odd lost property on a bus yourself - let us know in the comments below. Other items handed into the Megabus lost property office have included socks, only one shoe from a pair and a cooking wok. Megabus receptionist Angela said: "Over many years of dealing with an eclectic mix of lost property items. "Every now and again we still get something handed in that surprises us!"
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Holidaymakers left in limbo as British travel company goes bust - is YOUR summer getaway at risk?
Holidaymakers have been left in limbo after British travel company Great Little Escapes went bust. The firm, based in Berkshire, claimed to offer the 'best cheap breaks in the UK'. Its website says: 'Holidays to the most iconic cities in the World. Find your next City Break with Great Little Escapes.' But now thousands of summer getaways are at risk afte the company folded. This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
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Travel + Leisure
19-05-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Company Lets You Book a Private Jet Trip to Europe Without Knowing the Exact Destination
How adventurous do you think you are, really? Because one travel company would like you to take that wild spirit to its limits. Chapman Freeborn, a global aircraft charter specialist and aviation support company, is offering travelers the chance to do something zany: go on a trip without knowing the destination first. The company has launched its new Blind Booking program, "designed for American travelers headed to Europe," only where they go in Europe is anyone's guess until it's time for wheels up. "Inspired by the same wanderlust-driven mindset fueling the popularity of exploring and immersing in new cultures and destinations, Blind Booking gives travelers the chance to fly by private jet to a holiday retreat they won't learn about until right before takeoff," the company shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure . To get in on the fun, all travelers need to do is choose their departure airport in Europe and select a theme, which the company said could be anything from "a romantic escape, cultural city break, beach holiday, or outdoor adventure." Travelers can then submit a request for a one-way flight for up to six passengers. (So hopefully your crew is just as adventurous as you.) Those interested should hear back from a passenger flight broker who will go over a few details regarding the dates, departure airport, and number of passengers, and reveal the selected blind booking category to ensure everyone is aligned. Then, they will reveal the city, and you can be on your way. Don't worry. There is one more out: if you do not like the destination offered, you can withdraw your request free of charge. "For blind booking customers, the appeal lies in the spontaneity and exclusivity," the company added. "Chapman Freeborn offers an elevated travel experience without the complicated logistical overplanning, ideal for adventurers who want to let go and be surprised, but still expect luxury at every step." The Gulfstream IV private plane during take off. Alex Peake/Chapman Freeborn And if you really love this idea, you can try it out with Chapman, then try and give it a go with Scandinavian Airlines, which started offering a mystery flight called 'Destination Unknown' in 2024. As T+L previously reported, the airline sold tickets for its mystery flight exclusively to members of its frequent flier loyalty program who had the chance to redeem 30,000 miles for a seat. Though its ticket window is now closed, you can sign up to receive an alert about future trips at As for the Chapman trip, those begin at about $3,400, which feels like a great rate for a private plane adventure to … anywhere.
