What do people think about the jet fuel situation -- is it very risky to plan a European trip now by air?
Does travel insurance cover this situation if the airline has to cancel due a fuel shortage because of a war?
Thank you, D

Even without the war and fuel shortages, I'm finding international flights less and less reliable. So now I always purchase insurance that covers costs associated with cancellations and delays. I needed it last month when Lufthansa cancelled my connection from Frankfurt to Athens, and I have it for a trip on TAP to Portugal next month. But certainly U.S. tourism to Europe is way down this summer, so many people aren't tolerating the risk.

It depends on the policy. Some have very vague language over the Middle East situation being a "known event" since 2/28 that might make such coverage null, even for indirect circumstances. It is best to check with each individual policy. Be sure to check their known events before purchasing.

The airline should refund or even rebook you.

What you're risking are all the other costs. Don't book hotels you can't cancel or change the dates for.

I doubt you will be able to rely on travel insurance. You will just have to try to minimise costs if things go pear shaped. And nobody knows whether that will happen.

Thank you Abbydog, AI told me the other day that jet fuel is a severe problem now in Europe. D

Thank you, very pertinent advice.

I see your point, thank you. Seems like a possible waste of time and energy to plan the trip now.

Good points, thank you.

What kind of bookings are you doing that this is so risky? I never prepay hotels, there is no need to. So that's no issue. As for air fare, if you book standard regular airlines, even if you can, you should at least get it back as a travel credit, you don't lost it. Unless you deliberately book the cheapest possible seat where you do lose it. And of course, if you pay a bit more, you can book a completely refundable fare, also, where you get cash back.

Those are the main things, sure you may want to book some train trips or event tickets, but you can wait a bit for that and they aren't that big an expenditure. And of course I always so pay for travel insurance anyway, for the medical coverage if nothing else. I doubt if they'd cover an airline cancelling your flight due to fuel shortage if you don't buy the cancel for any reason plan (which you can, I never have), as I imagine the airline will just try to book you are another one. Don't know, I think more of the local ones are being cancelled.

If you buy "cancel for any reason" travel insurance I think you'd be covered if the fuel situation gets worse.

I'd not trust AI for such information

What we don't know is what other distractions will be foisted on us in the months to come, winter is coming.

I wouldn't either but there are certainly fuel shortages due to that war. I agree about who knows what is going to happen next. I think people should buy travel insurance anyway if they are really concerned about costs due to delayed travel, etc. That isn't a big deal to me that I worry about that risk. I could afford to pay such delay costs if I had to, it's really only the airfare that is major to me, as I don't prepay things like hotels. I do mainly get it for the medical coverage as I don't have any health insurance that covers me abroad, and you never know.

I think the main response for transatlantic fares is that the fare has been increased. I would expect schedules may have already been adjusted, but not that they would cancel their only flight of the day. I think more cancellations are short flights within Europe, the UK is particularly sensitive as they import all their jet fuel and have no strategic reserves. I wouldn't be booking travel involving short flights from the UK, for example. Or short flights anywhere within Europe. Trains can run by electricity, for example. So the only flight issue would be the major one to/from. I have read articles where some pundits opined they didn't expect those to be cancelled as they are highly profitable. I'm sure their fares could go up depending how long this lasts.

I just checked Air France to/from Wash DC which is one of their main US entry points, and was surprised that they haven't cut flights at all yet, they still have two per day, not one. And the fare isn't even that high as I expected for July. The extra completely refundable fare was only about $4000 RT in premium seats, and only about $2900 for economy (completely refundable for cash).

But if it isn't that important to go this summer, sure, I can see waiting to see what happens, I just don't think it's that risky to book stuff.

Still flying UK into Europe, but we all have our feeling about risk. We tend to book with airlines with a reasonable cash reserve then under EU law and still UK law, they have to get us home (just maybe not by flight)

Just be aware that most cancel for any reason policies only cover 75%, not 100%.

If they can weasel their way out of it they will, by claiming it was an ongoing situation for instance. Air fares get refunded if cancelled, it's the other stuff you need to be sure you can cancel without penalty. You also may need a plan B if you get stuck in Europe.