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Get €100 when your flight’s disrupted: New with AirHelp Plus

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A guide to safe summer travel in 2021

<p>Travel has been on hold for months now due to the pandemic, but with countries beginning to open up again, many of us are starting to ask ourselves, “Will summer travel be possible?”. While travel will likely resume in 2021, especially as vaccine efforts ramp up across the world, those who are already thinking of flying this summer may be met with several difficulties due to a maze of ever-changing Covid restrictions and safety requirements.</p>
<p>If you’re itching to get out and enjoy the sun somewhere other than your own backyard, we’ve put together some summer travel tips for you to do so safely and comfortably.</p>
<h2>When will travel restrictions be lifted?</h2>
<figure style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full" src="https://img.airhelp.com/blog/summer-travel-masks-airport_7Nc00gNHFoiS.jpeg?ik-sdk-version=javascript-1.4.3&updatedAt=1673515644460" alt="Man with mask at airport getting ready for summer travel" width="1200" height="800"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image by Gerald Friedrich from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5148748" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pixabay</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>How long will travel restrictions last? Well, we can’t be sure for now, but it will depend on vaccination rates as well as the number of infections per country. However, several countries are already beginning to open up.</p>
<h3>Find out if you can travel</h3>
<p>The first thing you have to find out is if you’d be allowed to travel in the first place. If your country is currently under some form of lockdown, it could prove difficult if you decide to leave, as you could be met with unexpected flight cancellations and quarantines.</p>
<p>Monica Fish, a travel writer at <a href="https://planneratheart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planner at Heart</a> says “When flying internationally, make sure you have a complete understanding of the testing requirements for both your vacation destination and when returning home.”</p>
<p>On a recent trip to Barbados, both she and her partner were required to take a Covid test before returning home, even if they were both fully vaccinated. She says that some other passengers were outright denied boarding because they didn’t get tested before returning.</p>
<h3>Check if your destination allows travelers</h3>
<p>For international travel in 2021, there are some ways for you to check whether a particular destination is allowing travelers to enter. Sam Claassen at <a href="https://safetywing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SafetyWing</a> recommends using websites like <a href="https://borderless.safetywing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BORDERLESS</a> for restriction updates. He says: “Use BORDERLESS to figure out which countries are open, what restrictions they may have on travel, testing requirements to get in, what vaccination levels are like there, etc.”</p>
<p>Alternatively, you can also visit the official government websites of each country, which should give you a clear overview of their current restrictions.</p>
<p>To check if specific hotels, resorts, or other attractions are accepting travelers, Tim Sutton from <a href="https://coffeegeek.tv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CoffeeGeek TV</a> suggests using <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tripadvisor</a>. He says: “The site is dedicated to offering information and reviews about attractions. Considering the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, Tripadvisor makes an active effort to update travelers with relevant information. Find your favorite attraction and check out the opening hours and recent reviews to find out whether they’re open.”</p>
<h2>Will summer travel be safe?</h2>
<figure style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full" src="https://img.airhelp.com/blog/vaccine-passport-summer-travel_Hx3PH3ecuWNx.jpg?ik-sdk-version=javascript-1.4.3&updatedAt=1673537611474" alt="Vaccine passport for summer travel" width="1200" height="800"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image by Markus Winkler from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=6012613" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pixabay</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>While summer travel is not guaranteed to be 100% safe as the pandemic hasn’t officially ended, many countries require hotels and other establishments to follow strict hygiene rules to minimize the risk of infection. Plus you should also take precautions to make travel safer for you and your fellow travelers. Here are some ways for you to do so:</p>
<h3>Get vaccinated</h3>
<p>If it’s possible for you, the best way to keep yourself safe is to get a Covid-19 vaccine. Not only will it significantly reduce your chances of getting sick or hospitalized, it can also allow you to skip certain requirements such as testing and quarantine. Anne Abreu, a blogger at <a href="https://shepackslite.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ShePacksLite.com</a> has first hand experience with this: “Get vaccinated! When my husband arrived in Madeira last week he had no quarantine or testing requirements because he is fully vaccinated.”</p>
<p>Be sure to have your proof of vaccination on hand at all times — some EU countries have already started issuing <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/eu-covid-certificate-travel-explainer/index.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_term=link&amp;utm_content=2021-06-09T13%3A30%3A54&amp;utm_source=fbCNNi&amp;fbclid=IwAR169SO2DMShuSXgWjcEJPqcG_YxA4ejoZ3XXXsBECEyCZ_4OnfB55xADJ4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">digital Covid certificates</a>. Just be sure to check if your vaccine is accepted at the destination country — most of the EU for example has only approved AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer BioNTech, and Johnson &amp; Johnson. If you’ve had another vaccine, you may need to present a negative PCR test result instead, though some countries may have their own policies for which vaccines they’d accept. Greece, for example, also accepts travelers with Novavax, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, and Casino Biologics.</p>
<h3>Book your Covid-19 test ahead of time</h3>
<p>Chances are, you will need a Covid test for travel. Alex Stewart, who runs <a href="https://www.onenine5.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OneNine5</a>, says “If you’re required to schedule a Covid-19 test before you fly or after you land, make sure you’ve got them booked. Don’t rely on the testing facilities at the airport where others have queued for hours and missed their flights.”</p>
<p>Many countries will require you to present a negative Covid-19 test before you even board the plane, and again when returning home — in some cases, even if you’ve already been vaccinated. So book your test ahead of time to avoid any potential problems.</p>
<p>You should also make sure that you are booking the correct type of test — most countries will require you to get a PCR test. Compared to the antigen or rapid test, the results of a PCR test take longer, so plan accordingly.</p>
<h3>Follow safety and hygiene guidelines</h3>
<p>If you want to make sure that your summer travel will be safe, keep following safety and hygiene protocols. Wear a mask, wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, and maintain social distancing.</p>
<p>Roger from <a href="https://rogersenpai.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RogerSenpai</a> also takes extra precautions to keep himself safe: “I carried a bottle of Lysol wipes with me on my trips. When I arrived at my hotel, I would wipe down as much as I can (e.g. tables, doorknobs, TV remote, light switches). And every night, I’d wipe down my phone, wallet and keys because I’d be touching them throughout the day with potentially dirty hands. Disinfecting surfaces definitely gives better peace of mind!”</p>
<p>Lauren Levy O’ Brien of <a href="http://adensmom.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">adensmom.com</a> also suggests traveling at night to minimize exposure to maskless travelers: “Consider flying at night. Passengers are more likely to be sleeping, rather than eating (maskless) and getting up to use the bathroom.”</p>
<h2>Where to travel this summer</h2>
<figure style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full" src="https://img.airhelp.com/blog/Dubrovnik-summer-travel_RWC65yDBUg.jpeg?ik-sdk-version=javascript-1.4.3&updatedAt=1673538337528" alt="Dubrovnik summer travel 2021" width="1200" height="800"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image by Adri Marie from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4106788" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pixabay</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>Zander Buteux of <a href="https://www.vacationrenter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VacationRenter</a> says that there is a lot of interest in travel already. “In one of our <a href="https://www.vacationrenter.com/trends/survey-what-will-we-sacrifice-to-travel-in-a-post-pandemic-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recent surveys</a>, 1,000 Americans found that their top post-pandemic destinations are Japan, Australia, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Italy.” While Las Vegas has already lifted restrictions for US travelers as of June 1, Japan and Australia have not yet made any announcements to lift international travel.</p>
<p>So where to travel this summer? While many people plan on traveling locally, there are many countries that are already starting to accept international travelers for non-essential travel. Summer travel in the EU, for example, is looking really promising. Here’s a quick look at countries that are <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/which-eu-countries-accept-vaccinated-travelers/a-57808870" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">already allowing fully vaccinated tourists</a> to visit:</p>
<ul>
<li>Greece — From 14 May 2021</li>
<li>Italy — From 16 May 2021</li>
<li>Cyprus — From May 25, 2021</li>
<li>Spain — From 7 June 2021</li>
<li>France — From 9 June 2021</li>
<li>Croatia — Already accepting tourists but only from specific countries</li>
<li>Madeira — Tourism allowed with some restrictions</li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, each country has its own specific entry requirements, and the restrictions are bound to change depending on the infection rates and the number of people vaccinated. Always check the country’s official tourism websites to see what you’ll need to visit.</p>
<p>So yes, even if there are still a lot of restrictions, with careful planning, we <em>will</em> be able to travel this summer 2021.</p>

<p><em>Did you also know that you can claim for delayed, canceled, or overbooked flights from&nbsp;<b>up to 3 years ago</b>? AirHelp is here to help you check if your flight is eligible — it’s quick, easy, and totally risk-free!&nbsp;<a href="https://app.airhelp.com/claims/new/trip-details">Get started with your claim now.</a></em></p>


AirHelp's guide to safe summer travel 2021. Find out which countries you can visit this summer and know what to prepare, such as masks, PCR tests, and more.

Warum weigert sich Lufthansa, Tausenden von Fluggästen Entschädigung zu zahlen?

Why is Lufthansa refusing to pay thousands of passengers compensation?

<p>The worldwide travel chaos of 2020 may have eclipsed all that came before it, but 2019 was also a difficult year for many air passengers. Between March and November 2019, a series of Lufthansa staff strikes caused around <strong>1,650 flights to be canceled</strong>, leaving as many as <strong>214,000 passengers stranded</strong> and forced to change or abandon their travel plans.</p>
<p>Despite <a href="https://www.airhelp.com/en-int/strike/airline-strike-compensation/">clear EU laws</a> entitling passengers to claim up to <strong>up to $700 (&euro;600) per person</strong> for this type of disruption, Lufthansa has so far <strong>refused to pay thousands of passengers</strong>, including up to <strong>4,500</strong> who have approached AirHelp for support.</p>
<p>Read on to understand what&rsquo;s happening, what your rights are and how AirHelp is fighting to get passengers the compensation they&rsquo;re owed.</p>
<p><strong>Were you affected by the Lufthansa strike? <a href="https://funnel.airhelp.com/claims/new/trip-details?lang=en">Check if you&rsquo;re owed compensation, and let AirHelp help you claim it.</a> </strong></p>
<h3>About the Lufthansa 2019 strikes</h3>
<p><img src="https://img.airhelp.com/blog/cancelled_flights.jpg" alt="canceled flight screen at an airport" /><br />Lufthansa&rsquo;s cabin crew union, UFO, launched a <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/bitter-lufthansa-union-row-goes-beyond-worker-demands/a-51833773">series of strikes in 2019</a>, in a dispute with the airline over flight crew expenses and allowances. They also wanted to improve career possibilities for seasonal workers.</p>
<p>After strikes in March and October failed to make an impact on negotiations, the biggest strike took place between 6-9th November 2019. That strike resulted in Lufthansa canceling up to 1,500 flights, forcing around 200,000 passengers to abandon or change their travel plans.</p>
<h3>What does the law say?</h3>
<p>Passengers travelling in the EU are protected by one of the world&rsquo;s strongest air passenger regulations, <a href="https://www.airhelp.com/en-in/eu-261-compensation/">EC 261</a>.</p>
<p>This regulation makes clear that airlines are responsible for passengers&rsquo; essential care when flights are delayed or canceled. And if the airline delays flights over 3 hours, or cancels a flight less than 14 days before departure, the passengers are owed <strong>up to $700 compensation</strong> as well.</p>
<p>The law does make an exception for <em>extraordinary circumstances</em>. This means if the disruption is caused by a situation outside of the airline&rsquo;s control, such as a storm or natural disaster, the airline doesn&rsquo;t have to pay compensation. Some airlines have claimed that they shouldn&rsquo;t pay compensation for staff strikes either. They argue they aren&rsquo;t within their control, and thus fit the definition of an <em>extraordinary circumstance</em>.</p>
<h3>AirHelp&rsquo;s victory at the European Court of Justice</h3>
<p><img src="https://img.airhelp.com/blog/flight_delay_justice.jpg" alt="AirHelp gets justice for EU air passengers" /><br />AirHelp disagreed strongly with this line of reasoning, and following a 2018 strike by Scandinavian airline SAS, when the airline refused to pay passengers compensation, we took a stand for passenger rights.</p>
<p>We took the matter to court, and the case ended up being referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the highest authority in the EU. On 23rd March 2021, the court issued their <a href="https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2021-03/cp210044en.pdf">verdict</a>: AirHelp was right, <strong><a href="https://www.airhelp.com/en/blog/airline-on-strike-not-an-extraordinary-circumstance-rules-ecj/">airline staff strikes are not an <em>extraordinary circumstance</em></a>, and passengers are entitled to claim compensation. </strong></p>
<p>That ruling represents a major victory for air passenger rights. Not only does it apply to victims of the SAS strike, but it also applies to all other EU airline staff strikes, past and future.</p>
<h3>Lufthansa is not above the law</h3>
<p>Despite the ECJ decision, Lufthansa argues that since it did everything in its power to prevent this strike, and staff went on strike anyway, that means that they should be exempt from paying passengers compensation.</p>
<p>However, the European Court of Justice made it clear in its decision that <strong>all staff strikes, without exception, cannot be considered an <em>extraordinary circumstance</em></strong>. Strikes must be planned by companies as a regular activity and are therefore always considered to be within the airline&rsquo;s responsibility to manage.</p>
<p>Indeed, an earlier <a href="https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2018-04/cp180049en.pdf">2018 ruling by the ECJ</a> already confirmed that &ldquo;wildcat&rdquo; strikes &mdash; that is an unannounced, spontaneous strike &mdash; are eligible for compensation.</p>
<p>The message is clear: <strong>airlines must plan for strikes and compensate the passengers affected by them.</strong></p>
<h3>We continue to fight for passenger rights</h3>
<p><img src="https://img.airhelp.com/blog/woman_boarding_plane.jpg" alt="Woman boards a airplane" /><br />Lufthansa&rsquo;s refusal to accept the ECJ ruling is highly unusual. However, just like the SAS strike, AirHelp is prepared to take the strongest legal action to ensure that passengers&rsquo; rights are respected, and that they get the money they are owed.</p>
<p>Already AirHelp is helping up to 4,500 passengers, handling their claims and connecting passengers with specialist legal representation to bring the claims before German courts. All done on a <strong>no win, no fee basis</strong> to ensure there&rsquo;s no risk to the passengers involved.</p>
<p>Christian Nielson, Chief Legal Officer at AirHelp, comments;<br />&ldquo;Lufthansa&rsquo;s tactics are not only a highly unusual practice, but also underline the company&rsquo;s unwillingness to compensate passengers for its own failings. This refusal to respect passengers&rsquo; rights is especially disappointing given that German taxpayers, many of them passengers, paid billions to keep Lufthansa afloat during the pandemic. However, due to the ECJ ruling we won, the situation is clear. Ultimately Lufthansa must pay compensation to the affected consumers.&rdquo;</p>
<p><em>If you are one of the passengers affected, the good news is it&rsquo;s not too late to get justice. AirHelp&rsquo;s <a href="https://funnel.airhelp.com/claims/new/trip-details?lang=en">free eligibility check</a> will confirm if you&rsquo;re owed compensation, and our specialist team are ready to help you claim it. </em></p>

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