Flight inclusive school trips advice

The information on this page applies to school trips which include air travel.

When is ATOL protection required?

If a school, college or university uses a travel company to organise a package trip that includes a flight, the travel company should hold an ATOL. Before arranging and booking your trip check whether the travel company holds an ATOL.

When you book an ATOL protected trip, you will be given an ATOL Certificate by your travel company as soon as you pay any money for the trip – even if this is only a deposit.

Your ATOL Certificate is proof that the trip you have booked is protected by the ATOL scheme. It will tell you:

• What’s protected by ATOL
• Who’s covered
• Who is providing this protection (the travel business’s name and ATOL number)

When is ATOL protection not required?

There are circumstances when the trip may not be ATOL protected. If a school, college or university organises a package trip that include flights, booked occasionally, on a not-for-profit basis, and for a limited group of consumers. This does not require an ATOL and therefore you will not receive an ATOL Certificate.

However, it is advisable that if an educational facility organising package trips for students, should ensure they have the necessary insurance.