Transport information

Air carrier liability for passengers and their baggage

Compensation in the case of death or injury

There are no financial limits to the liability for passenger injury or death. For damages up to 100000 SDRs* (approximately £80,000) the air carrier cannot contest claims for compensation. Above that amount, the air carrier can defend itself against a claim by proving that it was not negligent or otherwise at fault.

Advance payments

If a passenger is killed or injured, the air carrier must make an advance payment, to cover immediate economic needs, within 15 days from the identification of the person entitled to compensation. In the event of death, this advance payment shall not be less than 16000 SDRs (approximately £13,000).

Passenger delays

In case of passenger delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for passenger delay is limited to 4150 SDRs (approximately £3,300).

Baggage delays

In case of baggage delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for baggage delay is limited to 1000 SDRs (approximately £800).

Destruction, loss or damage to baggage

The air carrier is liable for destruction, loss or damage to baggage up to 1000 SDRs (approximately £800) In the case of checked baggage, it is liable even if not at fault, unless the baggage was defective. In the case of unchecked baggage, the carrier is liable only if at fault.

Higher limits for baggage

A passenger can benefit from a higher liability limit by making a special declaration at the latest at check-in and by paying a supplementary fee.

Complaints on baggage

If the baggage is damaged, delayed, lost or destroyed, the passenger must write and complain to the air carrier as soon as possible. In the case of damage to checked baggage, the passenger must write and complain within seven days, and in the case of delay within 21 days, in both cases from the date on which the baggage was placed at the passenger's disposal.

Liability of contracting and actual carriers

If the air carrier actually performing the flight is not the same as the contracting air carrier, the passenger has the right to address a complaint or to make a claim for damages against either. If the name or code of an air carrier is indicated on the ticket, that air carrier is the contracting air carrier.

Time limit for action

Any action in court to claim damages must be brought within two years from the date of arrival of the aircraft, or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived.

Basis for the information

The basis for the rules described above is the Montreal Convention of 28 May 1999, which is implemented in the Community by Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 (as amended by Regulation (EC)No 889/2002) and national legislation of the Member States. *SDR (Special Drawing Rights) is a unit of account created by the International Monetary Fund in 1969, based on a basket of the world's leading currencies, principally US Dollars, Euros, Japanese Yen and Sterling.

Passport information

It is a customer's responsibility to be in possession of a full 10 year valid passport and any necessary visas. Ordinarily holiday companies and the UK Passport Office suggest that passports should be valid for at least 6 months after you return. Each country, however, sets its own rules covering this, more information can be obtained from the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.

From October 5, 1998, under 16 year olds who are not already included on their parent's passport are required to have their own individual passport.

We recommend that customers contact the Embassy of the destination country for any visa requirements prior to travel. Non-EU and EEA passport holders should note that transfers for flights arriving into Geneva leave from the Swiss side of the airport and it will be necessary, therefore, for you to obtain the relevant visas. Failure to do so will necessitate having to pay for your own transfer.

Visa and passports

For full details of any travel restrictions, entry and stay requirements, visa and travel advice to your particular destination, visit the foreign office website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and the passport office website at www.passport.gov.uk for passport information.

Validity

If you're a British citizen, you need a full, 10-year British passport for all holidays featured. Ordinarily holiday companies and the UK Passport Office suggest that passports should be valid for at least 6 months after you return. Each country, however, sets its own rules covering this, more information can be obtained from the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.

New passports

Be sure to leave enough time for new applications as there can be delays at peak periods. If you are aged 16 or over and haven't yet got a passport, our recommendation is that you should apply for one at least 8 weeks before your holiday. The Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and from April 2007 will ask you to attend an interview in order to do this. You can find out current processing times by phoning the UK Passport Office recorded message on 0300 222 0000. If you hold a Commonwealth or other passport, you should phone the consulate of the country you plan to visit.

Names and name changes

The name on the passport must match the name on the ticket, otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurances may be invalid. If someone in your party changes name after the booking is made, you must tell us immediately so we can issue the ticket in the new name. If you've already received the ticket, simply return it and we'll reissue one in the correct name. (An amendment fee may be applicable).

Minors

There may be specific entry requirements applicable to minors (children under 18) relevant to the country you are visiting. In certain circumstances this may incur additional expenses and require separate/additional legal documentation such as an affidavit, executed by anotary public, where for example the minor is not accompanied by both parents. As these entry requirements vary for different countries you should always check with the relevant Consulate/Embassy of the country you are intending to travel to prior to booking. Failure to do so may result in you being refused entry/carriage.

Special rules by destination or airline

Some countries and charter airlines have special rules about passports and visas. As visa requirements maychange at any time, it is important to double check with the relevant Consulate/Embassy of the country you are intending to travel to prior to booking your holiday and again within six weeks of departure. Failure to doso may result in you being refused entry/carriage.

Egyptian nationals, with official residence in the UK, can travel on Inclusive Package Tour arrangements only. Indian and Turkish passport holders can travel on Inclusive Package Tour arrangements only. Please check with Thomson or your Embassy/Consulate before you book your holiday. Failure to do so may result in you being refused entry/carriage.

Geneva

Non-EU and EEA passport holders should note that transfers for flights arriving into Geneva leave from the Swiss side of the airport and it will be necessary, therefore, for you to obtain the relevant visas. Failure to do so will necessitate having to pay for your own transfer.

Important Flight Information

Facts about your journey

We plan our holidays many months in advance. Therefore we are unable to confirm flight timings in many instances. All land and air travel arrangements, airlines, aircraft types, timings, routings and arrival airports are provisional until confirmed on your tickets and may change after this due to circumstances beyond our control. Please bear this in mind when booking onward journeys in the UK particularly domestic flights that cannot be changed or altered. Your correct timings will be shown on your travel tickets, please check these carefully before travel. Please note: Day flights operate between 0600 and 2000. Night flights operate between 2000 and 0600. Where we know in advance that a plane must stop at an airport en route for technical reasons such as refuelling or for a change of aircraft, we will indicate this on the flight table. Not all routes will be known at the time the brochure is printed, therefore it is possible that your journey may have to stop en route, and this is not shown. Compensation will not be paid should your flight stop en route for any reason.

Baggage allowance

Remains specified by charter airlines and must be strictly complied to avoid excess baggage charges or luggage being off-loaded from the aircraft, as we will not accept claims in the respect.

Thomson Airways: from 1st May 2009 the maximum weight for one item of luggage will be reduced from the current EU limit of 32kg to 23kg. Those who have pre-paid for an allowance exceeding 23kg must check-in another bag. Baggage allowances will no longer be pooled (e.g. having 60kg shared between 3 pax). Each allowance is now an individual allowance. Infants under 2 yrs will now have their own luggage allowance of 10kg.

Holiday Supplements

The cost of your holiday is based on departures with no additional flight costs, with some exceptions. These departures are shown as "nil" supplement in the flight tables. If you choose to fly from a different airport, or on certain days, you may have to pay a 'holiday supplement' as shown in our brochure. Flights not listed in the brochure, but which become available after it is printed, may also attract extra charges, worked out in the same way. Please note: Some holidays are only available on flights with extra charges, either because the accommodation is available only on certain days of flying, or because onward travel arrangements are only available at certain times.

Airport/resort transfers

Approximate timings: in order to keep prices low and still offer you as many UK departure airports as possible, we often need to combine transfers to and from the resorts for passengers from several arriving and departing flights. This means you may incur additional waiting time on arrival at the airport and on your return, though we will do our best to keep waiting times to a minimum. Transfer times listed on resort pages, which apply to the actual journey time after leaving the airport/station, are approximate and can vary due to poor weather, traffic conditions or transfer routes. Please note that some transfers to your resort may not be accompanied by a rep and may include transferring onto a smaller vehicle to take you into the resort and your accommodation. Due to customer demand we are offering express direct transfers on certain routes and trains in Switzerland (this is why these flights carry a larger supplement).

Border controls: please note that transfers which involve crossing national borders may be subject to delays as a result of immigration control and customs. Therefore, approximate timings as advertised may sometimes be longer than anticipated. we recommend the customers contact the Embassy of the destination country for any Visa requirements prior to travel.

Flight delays:

1. In the event of a flight delay over 2 hours, we will endeavour in conjunction with the charter airline, to provide light refreshments and, over 5 hours, a main meal, though this will depend on local circumstances. In the event of extended delays, we will try to make arrangements for overnight accommodation for you, though this is not guaranteed, and again depends on local circumstances. You should be able to reclaim the costs against your insurance policy. Please note we may not always be aware of delays on some scheduled or internal flights in which cases welfare arrangements will be made by the airlines. If you are travelling in the USA or Canada utilising connecting flights and experience a delay, please telephone the relevant Area Office to inform us of your amended travel details.
2. Airlines do not offer compensation for inconvenience or loss of holiday time caused by flight delays. Similarly, it is not possible to obtain refunds for any unused accommodation or facilities in the event of an extended delay.

Border Controls

Airlines are now required to provide passenger details to government authorities in advance of travel for the purpose of border control. This includes information contained within your passport. If you are travelling on a charter flight you must provide this data between 6 months and 5 days prior to your departure by visiting http://eapi.thomson.co.uk quoting your booking reference. Customers travelling within 4 days of booking will be unable to use the online facility, so will therefore be required to provide necessary information upon check-in at the airport. If you are travelling on a scheduled carrier please contact your ailine directly to supply this information. Failure to privde this information may result in you being unable to travel.

Pre-book your seats on our Thomson Airways flights

Seats together: guarantee that your party sits together on both the outbound and homeward Thomson Airways flight. Exact seat numbers will be given at check in. Prices are just £12 per person.

Complimentary Executive Lounge Access for Platinum Customers

This service is available with Servisair at a selection of UK airports, full details of which can be found here.

Aviance provide the executive lounge at London Gatwick North.

This facility is available for all passengers over 12 years old, although some lounges do accept children. Please check at www.executivelounges.com for full details. Please note that as from 1st March 2011 Servisair will no longer be accepting children into their network of lounges. Only children over the age of 12 years or invited by an airline on business class will be allowed access. Any groups over 10 people must advise if they wish to use the Executive Lounge. The lounges will not accept large bookings over 10 people if not advised. You will find your Executive Lounge access voucher within your Thomson Platinum ticket wallet.

Please note: There is no complimentary access to Manchester T1 Executive Lounge between 0900am -1200pm and at T2 between 0900am-1100am. We endeavour to make this service available throughout the winter season, however there may be some times when we are unable to confirm the availability. We reserve the right to cancel the complimentary access at any time.

Infants

An infant is defined as a child who is under the age of 2 years on the day of return travel. Children 2 years and above must have their own seat booked and paid for on the aircraft. Infants under 2 years as defined above can either sit on an adult's lap with the appropriate seat belt or alternatively you can book a seat at the child price or the airfare price, if this is lower than the administration charge of £39 for Europe, or £179 for USA and Canada, for children under 2 years. If you do book a seat you must use a purpose-designed car safety seat as long as it has a proper restraining harness and can be fixed facing forward on the seat in the plane (you are required to bring your own car seat, in good condition and provide the instruction leaflet for the cabin crew). We recommend you call the airline direct to check for any restrictions and further advice.

Air Carriers

"In accordance with EU regulation 2111/2005 please note that there is a 'community list' which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the EU community. This list can be seen at www.dft.gov.uk.

We have listed below the code and full name of the carriers to be used or likely to be used in our Thomson Summer programme. BA - British Airways; LX - Swiss International; BD - BMI; MON - Monarch; BE - FlyBe; OU - Croatia Airlines; EZY - Easy Jet; SK - Scandinavian Airlines; JP - Adria Airways; TOM - Thomson Airways; LS - Jet2; WW - ;BMI Baby

Car hire conditions

• Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection covers your responsibility for loss (except for keys), damage (excluding damage to the keys, tyres, windscreen and underside of the vehicle), theft, attempted theft or vandalism to the vehicle. The cover will only apply if you meet all the terms of the Rental Agreement. You will have to pay a fixed amount towards any claim. This amount will depend on the country where you rented the car. This description of collision damage waiver is for guidance only. The cover may be different depending on the country you are in.
• Every driver must bring a full valid driving licence from their country of residence. Please note that the old style green British driving licences are no longer accepted in most countries. Therefore, please ensure that you have either a pink driving licence or a new credit card style licence. The new credit card style licence must be accompanied by the corresponding paper documentation.
• The shortest hire you can pre-book is 3 days. If you would like a car for 1 or 2 days it may be possible to book locally with your Thomson Representative, although local prices may differ from our brochure prices.
• On collection of the car, the driver(s) will be asked to sign a rental agreement. This agreement is then a contract between the driver and the rental company. You will be asked to sign a blank credit card voucher to cover the CDW excess, petrol and any additional days you may have booked locally. Most countries will not accept a cash deposit therefore you must take a credit card.
• Car rental is for 24 hour periods and late return could result in an extra day’s charge.
• All cars have rear seat belts in countries where they are a legal requirement.
• Charges for infant/child seats and luggage racks are payable locally.
• The car is usually delivered with a full tank of petrol. You can fill the car up before returning it, or you will be charged for the amount of petrol you have used.
• Delivery and collection from hotels is available and can be arranged by contacting our Pre-departure Services team on receipt of your travel documents. All costs for this service must be paid direct to Europcar on collection of your vehicle, although deliveries up to 30km is usually free of charge.
• If you have to cancel your car hire at any time up until 7 days before your departure, you will have to pay a cancellation fee of £15. If you cancel your car hire within 7 days of departure, the full amount of the rental will be charged.