Customers who miss a train from Manchester Airport because their flight was delayed no longer need to worry about buying another ticket.
Northern and TransPennine Express (TPE) have updated their rules to allow these customers to catch another train up to three hours later, at no extra cost.
They just need to speak to staff at the station ticket office, and provide evidence to show their flight was delayed and they had already booked a train ticket.
They will then be provided with a stamped Flight Delay Validation Slip, which they can use to travel on another service.
Alex Hornby, Northern’s Commercial and Customer Director, said: “We have been out speaking to customers who claim they are being unfairly penalised by being forced to buy another ticket when they are running late at no fault of their own.
“This change is designed to save them some money and hassle, allowing them to catch another train at no extra cost.
“This is a great example of train companies working together to make travel more convenient for our customers, as we move towards Great British Railways.”
Andrew McClements, Customer Experience and Transformation Director at TPE, said: “We know how stressful flight delays can be, particularly when they disrupt onward travel plans.
“That’s why we’re pleased to be working with Northern to give customers greater flexibility when delays are outside of their control.
“This change means customers can continue their journey by rail without the worry of having to buy another ticket, making travel to and from Manchester Airport simpler, fairer and more convenient.
“It’s a positive example of the rail industry working together to improve the experience for customers and make rail travel easier to use.”
It comes after fares were made simpler and more convenient for millions of customers in Greater Manchester, in December last year.
Customers buying tickets on the day they’re travelling are no longer offered a confusing range of fares. There are now just two simple options – anytime and off-peak.
The fares are valid on rail services run by all operators and all single journeys are half the price of return trips.
Other types of tickets are still offered to those who book in advance.
Across the UK, the rail industry is driving forward a series of modernisations, by reforming fares, introducing simpler ticketing and expanding digital and tap-in-tap-out payment options.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
