What is Flight-Plus

In simple terms, after 30 April a firm will need to hold an ATOL to sell a flight with either accommodation or car hire, or both. This is regardless of whether the firm is acting as agent or principal for the components.

The exact definition and requirements for Flight-Plus and Flight-Plus arrangers will be set out fully in the revised ATOL Regulations. Key points to note include: 

• Flight-Plus is a flight sold with accommodation and/or car hire. However, other elements sold with the Flight-Plus that form a significant part of the holiday must also be included in the arrangement.
  
  
• The flight and accommodation and/or car hire must be requested within one day of each other, but it does not matter which the customer requests first.
   
  
• The trip must be over 24 hours in duration or include an overnight stay.
   
  
•  If a firm sells another ATOL holder’s flight inclusive package and then adds separate overseas car hire or accommodation, this is also classed as a Flight-Plus, which the firm will be required to protect under its licence.
   
  
• The flight must have its outbound leg departing from the UK, except where the arrangement includes travel departing the UK by another method such as ferry, coach or rail, in addition to an overseas flight.

Please note that the requirement to hold an ATOL to sell flight inclusive packages and some Flight-Onlys under ATOL remains.

Exceptions to Flight-Plus

• UK Domestic flights and holidays do not require protection under Flight-Plus.

Obligations under Flight-Plus

• Flight-Plus arrangers will have obligations to their customers if a supplier fails. The Flight-Plus arranger will be required to replace that part of the holiday or provide a refund for the whole arrangement to the customer