Who pays when systems fail? |
Travellers question compensation rights after largest IT failure in history, writes Penny Thomas |
As we’re sure you already know by now, a digital hiccup caused by the cybersecurity wizards at CrowdStrike sent airlines into a tailspin and passengers into a collective grumble on Friday July 19. The global tech outage wreaked havoc on travellers with disrupted check-ins, extensive flight cancellations and widespread travel delays. According to FlightAware.com, an online flight-tracking website, more than 5000 planes were grounded and 23,000 flights were delayed globally during the outage. Jetstar passengers were among those hit the hardest in Australia, with the airline cancelling more than 150 flights because of the IT failure. Natalie Ball, managing director of Compare Travel Insurance, described the tech outage as “unprecedented”, noting that its impact has had a seismic effect on travellers worldwide. We ask, what coverage are insurers providing? |
Explore the backroads of Italy |
Stephen Scourfield introduces the itinerary of the latest West Travel Club tour |
While tourists flock to the cities and west coast of Italy, we’re heading east, on roads less travelled for our Italy, Off The Beaten Track tour. Our Travel Club Tour leaves Mira, near Venice in north-east Italy, on May 27, 2025, and winds its way over 15 days down the Adriatic coast before crossing the country westward to finish in Rome. We’ve partnered with Albatross Tours for this tour because their personalised attitude and approach fits ours, and we’ve limited it to 28 guests. |
Last-minute Kimberley cruise chance |
A sick dog leads to a reader’s predicament, writes Stephen Scourfield |
Reader Jennie was due to leave on an APT cruise of the Kimberley on August 12 but her beloved “not yet 12-year-old dog” Oliver suddenly became ill and she feels she can’t abandon him. Which means the cabin she had booked as a solo on Ponant’s Le Laperouse explorers class ship is available. The voyage is sold out, so this is a rare chance to cruise the Kimberley this dry season. The cost of the cruise is $25,700. It can be sold as a single or double cabin. Anyone interested in what is now a rare booking for this Kimberley season should contact travel specialist Karen Jones at Villa Holiday Your Way by email at karen@villa.com.au or call 08 9754 2026 or 1800 066 272. Jennie's travel agent contacted APT but they reconfirmed that the terms and conditions don’t allow for cancellation within 100 days of travel. Jennie says she has travel insurance with RAC, but they advise that the policy doesn’t cover her for cancellation due to a pet’s illness. |
No solo supplement on Ponant |
Stephen Scourfield has good news for lone travellers |
Cruise line Ponant has ditched the standard solo supplement on more than 100 departures. Solo travellers can choose a single stateroom or private suite — and enjoy the privacy of the room at no extra cost. There are 177 cruises to browse. |
Emma Kelly looks at luxury taken to the next level |
Qatar Airways is aiming to raise the bar in business-class luxury and privacy with its Qsuite Next Gen product, which was unveiled at the Farnborough airshow in the UK this week. The airline’s original Qsuite has consistently been recognised as the industry’s best business-class product, most recently winning the 2024 Best Business Class award from Skytrax. Qsuite was the first business class to feature sliding doors for enhanced privacy, in a move that has become almost standard for airlines worldwide. The airline says it has again redefined luxury and innovation, elevating the industry benchmark for business class with its Qsuite Next Gen. |