The vast majority of holidaymakers have flown as planned despite consumer media focus on ‘travel chaos’, new research confirms.
A poll of 1,000 travellers last weekend by Holiday Extras found that almost all (93%) got away as planned.
A third (30%) saw no disruption and half experienced queues that were not serious enough to miss their flight.
Just one in ten (11%) experienced some delays with their luggage.
Only 4% missed their flight because of airport queues and a similar percentage had their flight cancelled.
Matthew Pack, group chief executive of the holiday add-ons company, said: “We have every sympathy for anyone who has missed out on their chance to get away because of the recent travel disruptions. It’s always disappointing to plan for a holiday and then have to change your plans.
“But the predictions of ‘travel chaos’ this summer are hugely exaggerated.
“Even during the worst travel delays, the Jubilee and half-term week, 94% of flights took off and landed as expected, and since then the airlines and airports have made extra provision to keep things running smoothly.
“When we asked UK holidaymakers about their experience almost 19 out of 20 had travelled as planned, with just 4% missing their plane in the queues and another 4% cancelling when their flight was pulled.”
He added: “With a bit of preparation and planning, we’re expecting people to have hassle-free trips this year.
“Book flexibly, use a travel agent if you want some back-up and support, make sure you know your rights if the airline does cancel or you miss your flight.
“Plan ahead – we already know about the strikes in Spain and at some airports this summer, so pick a destination that isn’t expecting delays and book flexibly so you can change your mind if something goes wrong or changes.
“But most of all, don’t worry about it. Almost every holiday this year is going ahead as planned, so don’t spoil the anticipation by thinking it’ll all go wrong.”