headline: What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?
text: Strike action by airport border staff risks causing delays and cancellations to flights at some of the UK's biggest airports.
  Passengers have been told to expect disruption over the Christmas period owing to the industrial action. 
  So what are your rights?
  If your flight is covered under UK law, your airline must let you choose between either getting a refund or an alternative flight, regardless of how far in advance the cancellation was made. 
  You can get your money back for any part of the ticket you have not used. So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded. 
  If you still want to travel, your airline must find you an alternative flight. If another airline is flying to your destination significantly sooner, or there are other suitable modes of transport available, then you have a right to be booked onto that alternative transport instead. 
  Several airlines are allowing passengers with flights arriving in the UK on strike days to change their tickets free of charge, so travellers should check with their airline.
  If you are stuck abroad or at the airport because of a flight cancellation, airlines must also provide you with other assistance until you are able to fly to your destination. 
  udes: 
  If your airline is unable to arrange assistance, you have the right to organise this yourself and claim back the cost later. In this case, the Civil Aviation Authority advises people to keep receipts and not spend more than necessary. 
  You are entitled to the same assistance if your flight is delayed by more than two hours. 
  You may also be able to claim compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. Again, the amount is based on how far you are flying. 
  If you are delayed by more than five hours and no longer want to travel, you can get a full refund.
  Disruption caused by things like airport or air traffic control employee strikes, bad weather or other "extraordinary circumstances" are not eligible for extra compensation.
  However, in other circumstances - which are the airline's fault - you have a number of rights under UK law if you are flying from a UK airport on any airline, arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline. 
  What you are entitled to depends on what caused the cancellation and how much notice you were given. 
  If your flight is cancelled with less than two weeks' notice, you may be able to claim compensation based on the timings of the alternative flight you are offered.
  mount you are entitled to also depends on how far you were travelling. For example: 
  If you booked a package holiday with a company that is an Abta member and your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a suitable alternative flight or a full refund. 