(Commonwealth_Europe) Thousands of holidaymakers have been left stranded and uncertain about their travel plans following the collapse of the major UK travel company, Jetline Travel. The London-based company, which also operated under various brand names including Jetline Cruise, Bargain Late Holidays, and Elegant Gateways, has ceased trading, leaving nearly 5,000 customers without the holidays they had planned. This shocking turn has left many individuals, some of whom had booked vacations with well-known cruise operators like Cunard, Princess Cruises, and Holland America, facing canceled bookings and uncertain futures.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK body responsible for protecting holidaymakers and enforcing travel regulations, confirmed that Jetline Travel had gone into liquidation under the Air Travel Organisers Licensing (ATOL) scheme. The collapse was a result of a “breach of contract” between Jetline and the cruise operators, leading to the cancellation of numerous bookings. This unfortunate development has left thousands in limbo, especially those who were looking forward to cruise vacations or had already traveled and were abroad.
For those who are currently overseas, the CAA has provided some guidance. Customers with scheduled flight e-tickets should still be able to use them for their return journey, but the CAA recommends checking in with the airline directly, as the airline will honor these existing flight tickets. However, the news is far from reassuring for many, as the collapse of Jetline Travel means that customers will not be covered for any other services associated with their holidays, including transfers, accommodation, or any other arrangements that had been booked through the company.
Often, these services had not been paid for by Jetline to the local suppliers, leaving holidaymakers in a tough situation where they will have to make new arrangements and bear the additional costs. Customers are now scrambling to find new solutions, from booking hotels and flights themselves to contacting local providers directly to salvage parts of their vacations.
The situation is even more complicated for those who booked cruises or accommodations with Jetline but not flights. Unfortunately, the ATOL scheme does not cover cruise-only bookings or standalone accommodation. As a result, customers affected by this issue are being advised to directly contact the service provider they originally booked through, as they may need to sort out refunds or alternative arrangements themselves.
However, there is still hope for those who booked through other Jetline-affiliated travel operators. Jetline Travel had acted as an agent for other ATOL-protected companies, meaning some customers might still be covered if the ATOL certificate they received lists a different company as the responsible party. In this case, the CAA recommends checking the “Who is protecting your trip?” section of the ATOL certificate to determine whether another provider is responsible for their booking and can offer assistance. Customers should contact the listed ATOL holder, if they remain operational, for further guidance.
Despite the CAA’s efforts to provide clarity, many affected customers have expressed frustration and distress. Numerous holidaymakers have taken to social media to voice their anger, with some reporting that they are unable to contact Jetline Travel at all. One customer shared their ordeal, stating that their entire holiday—including flights, cruises, and hotels—appears to be in jeopardy, with no way to reach the company for answers. Another individual shared that they were given a strict 48-hour deadline to pay for their vacation again or risk having it canceled.
The situation is especially troubling for those who had planned to travel with other cruise lines. However, there is some positive news for passengers who had booked with P&O Cruises through Jetline Travel. These customers have been reassured that their bookings have been transferred directly to P&O Cruises, which has taken responsibility for their reservations.
The collapse of Jetline Travel has profoundly affected the travel industry, prompting the Advantage Travel Partnership, a business network that had previously represented the company, to release a statement expressing their deep sorrow over the situation. Jetline had been a valued member of the partnership since 2015, and the network extended their thoughts to the affected customers and the company’s staff, who are also facing uncertainty.
As the situation unfolds, the Civil Aviation Authority continues to gather information from Jetline Travel’s administrators and has promised to provide further updates to help customers understand their options and how they can make claims. The CAA’s priority remains assisting those who have been impacted by this collapse and helping them navigate the complicated process of seeking refunds, rebooking services, or obtaining financial protection under the ATOL scheme. However, for many holidaymakers, the sense of loss and confusion remains, as they now face the daunting task of securing new plans for their vacations.
