By Gilly Bachelor

Monday has arrived, and after a whirlwind weekend of new bookings and unexpected travel drama, I’m catching my breath.

The big travel story of the weekend was the wave of delays and cancellations across Europe caused by a cyber-attack on Collins Aerospace, the company behind the check-in and boarding software used by many major airports. Heathrow, Brussels, Frankfurt, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Munich and Berlin were among those hit. Heathrow even had to draft in extra staff to manage queues after systems went down. And while airlines have a duty of care to their passengers, it doesn’t make the waiting around, uncertainty, or missed connections any less stressful.

A Close Call for Our Clients

For us, it got very real. Some of our regular clients were travelling from Heathrow, and while they were fortunate to experience only a slight delay, there was certainly a moment of concern. These travellers had chosen to use their Avios points for their international flights, so while we’d arranged their accommodation and internal flights, the long-haul flights weren’t part of the booking.

That distinction is crucial. Because this wasn’t a package holiday, if their outbound flight had been cancelled or delayed to the point they missed their onward connection, we wouldn’t have been in a position to step in and assist. That responsibility sits with the airline if flights are booked directly.

Why Package Holidays Matter

When clients come to us solely for their land arrangements, I always highlight the risks of not booking a package holiday. These include:

  • No single point of contact — if flights are delayed or cancelled, we cannot rearrange missed connections, tours, or cruises linked to those flights.
  • Added stress — in the event of disruption, clients may need to negotiate with multiple suppliers themselves.

That said, we always build in sensible buffers. In this case, we had allowed 24 hours before their next flight. Similarly, for cruise-only bookings, we strongly recommend at least one night before embarkation (and ideally one after disembarkation just in case the ship is delayed docking) to protect against missed departures. It’s about building resilience into the itinerary.

Lessons for Travellers

This weekend’s cyber chaos highlights how fragile global travel systems can be — even the biggest hubs can grind to a halt when technology fails. My advice to travellers:

  • If possible, book a package holiday for built-in protection.
  • Allow extra time for connections, especially when a cruise or onward tour is involved.
  • Always check flight status before heading to the airport.
  • And don’t underestimate the peace of mind that comes from having a trusted travel agent (like me!) in your corner.

Travel should be about adventure, discovery, and joy — not stress at the check-in desk. And while I’m delighted my clients made it through the weekend relatively unscathed, it’s a timely reminder of why planning smartly really matters.

We are always happy to give free advice to travellers who may be confused, or just need a little reassurance! Feel free to give us a call on 01902 288104, send us a message, or book an appointment.