There are several laws which focus on the rights and entitlements of passengers who travel by air. Some of these address baggage issues, whilst some focus on safety, security or ticket pricing issues. Some of the laws were borne out of international conventions and therefore apply internationally whilst others were created by the European Union and therefore largely apply within the Member States only.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation (this Office) is responsible for enforcing two European ‘air passenger rights’ laws in Ireland. The first of these establishes rights for passengers who are affected by flight cancellations, long delays or are denied boarding. Your air carrier (and its agents) has sole responsibility for the implementation of this law. 

Flightrights.ie has been designed to help you, the passenger, understand your rights and entitlements in the event that your air travel plans are disrupted.

Visit flightrights.ie

We are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5.30pm, call 043-3334500 or email info@kanestravel.ie

Irish passports can now be renewed online for some holders.

Visit Passport Online

Non Irish passport holders should consult the Embassy of their destination country regarding any special documentation for the countries they are visiting and/or transiting or for return to Ireland.

It is your responsibility to check with the applicable Embassy to see whether the destination(s) that you are visiting requires a visa.

If you fail to do so, you will be solely responsible for any cost, loss or damage which you or we incur as a result of your failure.

DOCUMENTATION

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date of travel.

Ensure that you have received all travel documents, i.e flight tickets or e-ticket information, hotel or car vouchers and your insurance certificate.

WHAT ARE VISA REQUIREMENTS

Visa requirements vary based on the country you are visiting, purpose of your visit and the length of stay. You should contact the local Embassy.

HEALTH INFORMATION

For details on immunization you need you should check www.tmb.ie. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct immunizations for the countries you are intending to visit.

The minimum age to make a holiday booking is 18 years.

If after booking, you or any member of your party are unable to proceed with your holiday or wish to change any details we will try to facilitate these changes. A request for alteration is required in writing and will incur a charge. Further details are provided in your booking terms and conditions.

As soon as you require changes to be made please contact us as amendments and fees depend on how close you are to going on holiday. Please note that sometimes alterations are impractical depending on the hoteliers and other service providers involved in your booking.

You will receive your tickets for your holiday 10 days prior to travelling once your balance is paid in full.

You can call us on 043 33 34500 or call in to our office at 27 Ballymahon Street, Longford.

It is essential to be insured when travelling. Medical and liability costs can run to the tens of thousands of euro. Cancelling your holiday could mean losing some or all of the money you have paid. Having access to a 24 hour Assistance Service means help is always at the end of a telephone. Having travel insurance gives you peace-of-mind when travelling, allowing you to enjoy your holiday.

If you are travelling to or via the United States and if you come from a country that is part of the Visa Exemption Programme, from 12 January the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) replaces the form that has until now been completed on the plane.

If you travel to the USA from 12 January 2009, it is essential that you complete the ESTA form before you travel in order to receive travel authorization. The form must be filled out at the latest 72 hours prior to departure, but it is recommended that you complete it as soon as you plan your journey.

This procedure applies to adults and children (whatever their age). The information requested includes passport number and country of residence.

In most cases, electronic travel authorization is granted online almost immediately by specifying authorization approved. It is valid for a period of two years or until expiry of the passport.

Advance Passenger Information or APIS is passport and associated information, which the governments of various countries require Airlines to collect from passenger's prior to travel.

It is important to note that you can be denied boarding if you have not submitted this information prior to check-in.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR APIS?

Passport Info (country of issue, passport number, date of birth, expiry date etc)

Country of Residence

Full Destination Address (incl Zip code) or Alien Registration / Green Card

APIS Data is currently required for customers travelling to/from or in transit through the following countries:

• Antigua & Barbuda
• Australia
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Canada
• China (except Hong Kong)
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Korea
• Kuwait
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Spain
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom and USA

There are new destinations being added to this all the time, so make sure to check at the time of booking if APIS is required for your destination or transit point.

There is no need to reconfirm your flights before departure from the Republic of Ireland though we do recommend that you reconfirm any onward or return flights with the airline you are travelling with locally at least 72 hours prior to departure.

How early you need to check-in varies by airline, departure airport and destination. However, the following are general guidelines if you're checking-in baggage:

International Flights: check-in at least 3 hours before departure

European Flights: check-in at least 2 hours before departure

Domestic Flights (i.e. flights within the same country): check-in at least 90 minutes before departure

Below is a general guideline of the baggage allowance permitted to the following destinations. Check your ticket for exact allowance.

Ryanair /Aer Lingus 15 Kilos for 1st checked in Bag (at a cost)

Australia / New Zealand Baggage allowance 20 Kilos

Asia Baggage allowance 20 Kilos

USA 1 Piece - 23 Kilos ** A second bag is allowed on Delta / Continental Airlines for USD50

Africa Baggage allowance 20 kilos **To Lagos Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa allow 2 bags at 23 Kilos per bag

South America Baggage allowance 1 Piece - 23 Kilos **British Airways, TAM, Lufthansa, Swissair, Iberia, allow 2 pieces - 23 Kilos per bag

Details of checked baggage allowance specific to your itinerary will be shown on your ticket. If you exceed the permitted baggage allowance airlines will make additional charge. This varies by airline and can be a significant amount for example USA would be more relevant - 120 pounds for an extra bag to Australia or 25 pounds per extra kg.

The standard Baggage Allowance is 1 piece of luggage of 20 kilos per person for Economy Class Travel. Ryanair & Aer Lingus allow 15 kilos per person for which they charge.

This is a guideline only, please check your E Ticket for full information on your Baggage Allowance.

Please check www.daa.ie for the latest information regarding the carriage of liquids and other restricted items in your carry on luggage.

All departure and arrival times on your itinerary are in the local time zone of the particular departing airport and arriving airport.
 

If you have frequent flyer membership please contact us and we will add the details to your booking. We are unable to exchange frequent flyer points / miles for new flights. Also please be advised that not all flights are eligible to accumulate frequent flyer points.

Please check with the airline you are travelling with for guidelines on hand baggage.

We recommend you always carry the following items in your hand luggage -

Valid passport and Visas

Your travel documents

Contact details for your travel agent and insurer

Any medicines needed during your flight

Kane's Travel is located at 27 Ballymahon Street, Longford

Phone number:  043 33 34500

E-mail:  info@kanestravel.ie

Yes - it is very important that the name on your ticket matches the name on your passport exactly. Any amendments after booking will incur change fees and may also necessitate having to cancel and rebook at significant expense. We would therefore strongly advise taking the utmost care when making your booking and verifying again as soon as you receive your documentation.

If for any reason the name on your ticket is not identical to that in your passport for example use of a nickname or incorrect initials please contact us.

Any changes or cancellations are governed by the airline and vary greatly depending on the type of ticket you have purchased. To determine whether or not your ticket can be changed please check the rules and restrictions of the fare you are purchasing.

We can request a bassinet on your flight. Please be aware that bassinets are subject to availability and as they are limited to only a small number on each flight, they cannot be guaranteed and preference is given to younger babies.

We can request window or aisle seats, or on intercontinental flights pre-book actual seat numbers on the flights where this is possible. Within Europe most airlines charge for seat assignment, if this is the case we will pass the charge onto you. Please note we cannot assign emergency exit seats or extra leg room seats.

We can request special dietary meals – e.g. Gluten Free, Vegan etc for flights where meals are included. Meals are not normally included on flights within Europe.

TRAVELWISE APP - DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FREE TRAVEL ADVICE APP

The Department of Foreign Affairs recently launched a new app, designed to keep Irish citizens safe when travelling and living abroad. The aim of the app is to provide citizens with travel advice and keep them up to date with relevant security updates from 200 countries. The app is free and available to download on the App Store and Play Store. Please see end of article for link.

PROVIDING YOU WITH PEACE OF MIND

Travelling to countries with security issues can be a stressful time for travellers. The Department of Foreign Affairs created the app which will provide citizens with security ratings of 200 countries and offer adive on whether you should travel or not. A coded ratings system has been devised with the levels signalling the security ratings of that country.

Green - Normal

Yellow - High Degree of Caution

Amber - Avoid Non-Essential travel

Red - Do Not Travel

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Department of Foreign Affairs will also provide citizens with detailed information about visas, healthy & safety and you destination's governing laws. Travellers can also request extra information if necessary. 

Know Before You Go

The know before you go section of the app provides up to date information relevant to various types of travellers and destinations. Advice includes passport information, travel insurance information and information about foreign laws. 

My Trip

This is a handy feature on the app which allows you to prepare for your upcoming journey by saving everything in one place. 

FAQ 

When content is downloaded, it is then available when offline or not connected to an internet connection. 

To download TravelWise visit the App Store or Google Play. 

For more information on the app please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website by clicking here.