What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Widening conflict in the Middle East following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran has caused widespread disruption to flights.

Cancellations and delays have been caused by the closure of airspace and the impact of wider tensions, as well as the knock-on to major hub airports.

Passengers affected have various rights, primarily a refund. However, these can vary depending on which carrier you are flying with and from where.

Only when an airline is at fault is extra compensation payable, which is not the case with travel difficulties caused by the current conflict.

What do airlines have to offer passengers?

When flights are delayed or cancelled, UK and EU airlines, and other carriers when you are departing a UK or EU airport, have a duty to look after you.

That includes providing meals and accommodation, if necessary, and getting you to your destination. The airline should organise putting you on an alternative flight, at no extra cost.

Additional losses - such as unused accommodation - might require a claim to a credit card provider, if that was the payment option used.

After that, a claim may need to go to your travel insurance provider. But there is no standard definition of what is covered.

It may require a close look at the details of the policy to see what is covered, in which circumstances.

If my flight is cancelled, can I get a refund or another flight?

If your flight is covered by UK law, your airline must let you choose between either getting a refund or being booked on to an alternative flight.

That's 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, then you have a right to be booked on to that alternative transport instead.

Clearly, the widespread disruption caused by the Iran conflict may mean relatively few seats are available immediately.

If your flight was coming into the UK on a non-UK airline, then you should check the terms and conditions of your booking.

Will the airline pay for food and accommodation?

If you are stuck abroad or at the airport because of a flight cancellation, airlines covered by UK legislation must also provide you with other assistance.

If your airline is unable to arrange assistance, you have the right to organise this yourself and claim back the cost later.

The Civil Aviation Authority advises people to keep receipts and not spend more than necessary.

You are entitled to the same assistance as for a cancellation if your flight is delayed by more than two hours for a short-haul flight, three hours for a medium-haul, or four hours for a long-haul.

If you are delayed by more than five hours and no longer want to travel, you can get a full refund.

What are my rights if I have booked a package holiday?

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.

Can I claim extra compensation for disruption?

Disruption caused by things like conflict - but also bad weather, strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, or other "extraordinary circumstances" - does not entitle you to extra compensation.

These apply as long as 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 are 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.

The amount you are entitled to also depends on how far you were travelling:

What if flight delays mean I am late for work?

Airlines will not refund you for loss of earnings.

Travel insurance policies will not usually cover loss of earnings either.

If you think you're going to be late back at work because of flight delays, you have a responsibility to let your employer know, legal experts say.

You should agree with your employer how to deal with the absence - for example, by using annual leave or taking unpaid leave.

Employers have no legal obligation to pay employees who are absent in this situation, experts say, unless it is stated in their contract.