One in three passengers expected to be delayed: how to make travel smoother this festive season

• Over six million passengers faced flight disruptions across Europe last Christmas, with over 236 thousand eligible for compensation.

• AirHelp shares seven key travel tips to avoid chaos this festive season.

• Top five list reveals the most disrupted major flying hubs in the build-up to Christmas.

December 8, 2025 – As Brits prepare to travel home for Christmas, AirHelp, the leading passenger-rights firm, is warning passengers to expect significant disruption, with one in three likely to face delays in the run-up to the big day.

Exclusive travel data* collected from last Christmas paints a worrying picture. More than 21 million passengers flew across European skies in the week leading up to Christmas Day. Of those, over six million (29%) experienced disruption – and over 236 thousand were eligible for compensation under EC 261 and UK 261 air passenger rights laws.

The Christmas period is one of the most unpredictable times for air travel, with winter weather, tight flight schedules and a surge in passenger demand all increasing the likelihood of delays and cancellations. In 2024, there were over 143 thousand flights in the week leading to Christmas across Europe.

Ahead of this year’s turbulent festive flying period, AirHelp shares its top tips for achieving the smoothest possible travel experience as millions of passengers are set to fly home for Christmas.

1. Check your flight status early - and keep refreshing

With winter weather and congested schedules, disruptions are more common in December. Travellers should monitor their flight status frequently and opt in to airline alerts for real-time updates.

2. Know your rights

It is super crucial during this time of year to understand your entitlement to compensation under EU 261/UK 261 for delays, cancellations and overbookings – knowledge that can turn a stressful situation into a fair outcome.

To help make this easier, AirHelp has developed a free app designed to give passengers clearer visibility and timely information about their journeys. The app includes unlimited real-time flight tracking and instant alerts when a disruption may make you eligible for compensation. You can also check eligibility for flights up to three years old.

3. Avoid the festive season’s worst airports (The Naughty List)

Curious to know where you’re most likely to get stuck?

The latest travel data highlights the major flying hubs that regularly experience high disruption levels over the Christmas period. Travellers using these airports should plan for extra time and keep claim documentation handy.

1. London Gatwick – 38% disrupted

2. Paris Charles de Gaulle – 36% disrupted

3. London Heathrow – 31% disrupted

4. Amsterdam Schiphol – 30% disrupted

5. Frankfurt – 29% disrupted

4. Allow extra time for security and check-in

Passenger traffic spikes sharply before Christmas. Travellers must arrive at least two-three hours before short-haul and three-four hours before long-haul flights to ensure a smooth start to their trip.

5. Take a moment to enjoy the festivities

Airports and flying can be extremely stressful for the majority of travellers, this is amplified at Christmas time, but it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the festivities. Ensure you make the time to soak in your surroundings, enjoy a tipple to settle your nerves and indulge in the variety of food around you as you prepare to fly.

6. Travel light and prepare your bags smartly

Lost luggage and long bag-drop queues are more common in the Festive rush. Pack essentials in your carry-on, pre-weigh bags at home and ensure any checked luggage is clearly labelled.

7. Keep your travel documents easily accessible

You must keep your passports, boarding passes, booking confirmations and any delay notices in one easy-to-reach place - these are crucial when checking compensation eligibility or making a claim.

About AirHelp

AirHelp is a travel tech company tackling flight disruptions. Since 2013, it has won compensation for over 3 million passengers with a flight delay or cancellation. 12 million passengers have protected their flights with AirHelp+ Protection, and countless millions more benefit from the expert information freely available on www.airhelp.com/en-gb/. AirHelp has also just released its new app, which offers real-time flight tracking, disruption alerts, and options for extra protection, download it here!

AirHelp is dedicated to investing in a greener future – it has pledged to plant 1 tree for every 100 flight disruptions and so far, it has planted 183,988 trees. As air passenger rights advocates, AirHelp cares about people, and caring about people also means caring about the planet.

#1 source for flight compensation worldwide

With innovative artificial intelligence and a dedicated team of over 400 AirHelpers, AirHelp makes it easy for any traveller in the EU, UK and beyond to receive up to €600 for flight delays and cancellations. For more information about AirHelp, visit: www.airhelp.com/en-gb/.