Britain's travel industry is on it's knees - and the mayhem seen in recent weeks is just a taste of things to come.
Thousands of people had flights cancelled and holidays ruined last month, but it's not just the airline industry in crisis as the entire UK transport network is falling apart.
The shambles has been caused by a number of issues, including airlines struggling to recruit new staff after axing many at the start of the pandemic.
We should be prepared for more congested airport terminals, flights with not enough crew and worrying images of mountains of bags piling up.
With national rail strikes, ferry cancellations, relentless roadworks and food and petrol prices skyrocketing, it's set to be a summer of discontent for many holidaymakers.
However, it's not all doom and gloom as a number of experts have provided some tips on how to fight back in Channel 5 documentary Britain's Travel Chaos: How to Save Your Summer.
Know your rights
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It's crucial to keep well informed of your rights before you book your travel – and regulators website CAA.co.uk have a page on all your passenger rights in the event of disruption or cancellations.
By law, whenever your flight or seat is cancelled, the airline must find you a new flight, even if it's with another company.
In tonight's documentary, travel expert Simon Calder explains: "I've been keeping a dossier on the airlines and many of them, I'm sorry to say, are behaving very poorly.
"Typically they won't outline your entitlements when a flight is cancelled – they have to find you another flight on the same day to the same destination if they possibly can.
"And if there's one seat going and its business class on British Airways, they have to pay for that for you.
"On top of that, if it's the airlines fault, that might be a technical problem, that might be staff shortages, then they have to pay you cash compensation as well."
The experts also warn holidaymakes to keep pushing because airlines will make attempts to "fob you off".
Sort your passport
A staggering 4.5million people didn't renew their passports during the pandemic - and processing delays are threatening to ruin many holidays.
The sytem is overstretched because of a massive back log and it's currently a minimum of 10 weeks to get your passport back.
"My top tip here is do not book that holiday until your passport is in your hand," warns consumer rights lawyer Dean Dunham.
Travelling to the EU can prove to be trickier in this post-Brexit age, so it's important that Brits don't get caught out by the new rules.
"Now that we're no longer in the EU there's a couple of rules that you do need to be aware of," says Emma Brennan from the Association of British Travel Agents.
"The first is, your passport can't be any older than 10 years on the date of entering the country and you need to have at least three months left at the end of your passport from the date you're due to leave the country."
Book an early flight - but don't arrive too early
No one likes to wake up at the crack of dawn to go on holiday, but it will save you more than just money on the flights.
The earlier flights are less likely to be cancelled - and if they are you have a lot more time to plan something else.
"It's horrible getting up at 3am in time for your 6:30am flight but if there's disruption around it's a really good position to be in," says Simon.
"Cancellations for the first wave of flights are not as frequent as they are for the tail end of the day because delays haven’t built up.
"Secondly if the worst does happen, you've got plenty of time to come up with an alternative."
However, you should only turn up to the airport early if your flight is at that time.
Travel consultant Paul Charles says: "Never arrive more than two-and-half hours before a flight. The problem is if you get to the airport much earlier, you're adding to those queues.
"There are too many people turning up far too early, two hours is about right and they will get you through."
Buy a package holiday
With many flights beeing cancelled, passengers are being warned that the safest way to ensure you get all your money back is to buy a package holiday.
By booking your travel and accommodation together, with an established travel agent or tour operator with ATOL protection, means your are covered for everything if the flight is cancelled.
"I'm always telling travellers when you book a holiday, book a package holiday," says consumer rights lawyer Dean. "It basically is the travel and accomodation together.
"The reason for that is that if something goes wrong or the flight gets cancelled, then you're going to get a refund for all of the holiday.
"If you only book the flight and the flight gets cancelled, you won't get the hotel costs back."
Booking with a credit card is also the recommended advice, because it effectively means the credit card company steps in your shoes, gives your money back and takes up the fight with the airline.
Prepare for ferry woes
Going by water has always been a lot less stressful than flying because its a less complex business and fewer things that can go wrong.
Using a ferry is a low stress way to travel because there are less security checks and delays - but there can still be issues.
At peak times, tailbacks of cars queing for ferries can stretch back for miles, so the best advice is to always come prepared.
"There are going to be queues, it is going to involve a lot of patience," says travel expert Lisa Minot.
"Make sure the car's stacked up with snacks and drinks, make sure the car is in good working order as well and it's not going to overheat in any of these queues but hopefully you should be getting through within no more than an hour or two."
Do a staycation on a budget
Many of dream of white sandy beaches and tropical climates, but the answer could be to stay put and enjoy our own shores.
Planning a staycation will give you the opportunity to relax without the stress of getting through the airport.
"Yes, you’re not going to get a problem with flights, you're not going to get a problem with a ferry, no one's going to deny you boarding – you’re going to get your holiday," explains Dean.
Obviously the costs can still rack up for a staycation, but Simon has some advice to make sure you can have a break in the UK on a budget.
"Find a city centre hotel, it might be Cardiff, it might be Leeds, it might be Manchester," he says.
"You'll be able to find hotels in the city centre that are really inexpensive and you'll be able to enjoy all the cultural delights and gastronomic treats, as well as going off to the seaside for the day."
*Britain's Travel Chaos: How to Save Your Summer airs tonight on Channel 5 at 8pm
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