Jetline Travel was a well-known travel company in the UK. Many people booked their dream holidays through them—especially cruise trips and cheap getaways. But in early 2025, something unexpected happened.
The company suddenly went into administration. This left thousands of people shocked and worried about their bookings. Some had saved for years for a special trip. Others were excited about long-awaited cruises. And now, many are asking the same question: “What do we do now?”
In this article, we’ll explain everything in a very simple and clear way. You’ll learn what happened to Jetline Travel, why the company shut down, and most importantly, how you can get your refund if you were affected.
What Is Jetline Travel?
Jetline Travel was a British travel company that started in the year 2000. It ran for 25 years and became popular for selling low-cost holiday packages. Many of their deals included cruises, flights, hotels, and more. They also had many online brands like Jetline Cruise, Bargain Late Holidays, Great Late Holidays, and Clearsky Holidays.
The company helped people plan trips all over the world. From sunny beaches to luxury cruises, Jetline had something for everyone. They were especially known for their cruise deals and package holidays.
Thousands of people booked holidays with them every year. So when the company suddenly stopped trading, it affected many families, couples, and solo travelers who were looking forward to their break.
What Does “Jetline Travel Administration” Mean?
When a company goes into administration, it means they ran out of money and can’t pay their bills. So they bring in specialists—called administrators—to try to sort things out. Sometimes they try to sell the company, pay back debts, or just shut it down properly.
In Jetline Travel’s case, this happened because they were in serious financial trouble. They couldn’t pay the people they owed—like cruise companies or hotels—and the business couldn’t continue.
For customers, “Jetline Travel administration” means one big thing: your holiday might be cancelled, and you’ll need to take steps to get your money back. That’s what we’re here to help with.
Why Did Jetline Travel Go Bust?
There were a few reasons why Jetline collapsed. First, in March 2025, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) removed Jetline’s ATOL license. This is a special protection license that travel companies must have if they sell holidays with flights. Losing that license was a huge blow.
Second, Jetline was not passing customer payments to cruise companies like Princess, Cunard, or Holland America. This caused cruise lines to cancel bookings because of broken agreements.
Third, the company tried to sell itself quickly (this is called an “accelerated sale”), but couldn’t find a buyer in time.
Also, Jetline was already struggling. In 2023, they made £28 million in sales—but by late 2024, that number dropped to £17 million. That’s a big fall. With rising debts and lower bookings, they simply couldn’t keep going.
When Did Jetline Travel Collapse?
Here’s a quick timeline to help you understand what happened:
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March 6, 2025 – Jetline Travel lost its ATOL license, meaning they could no longer sell protected holidays.
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March 28, 2025 – The company officially went into administration.
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April 2025 – Hundreds of holidays were already cancelled, and thousands more are now at risk.
The people now handling Jetline’s affairs are two administrators:
These professionals are now managing the company’s remaining money and helping customers try to claim refunds.
Jetline Travel Customers Affected
This is the part that really matters to travelers like you.
Jetline Travel had a license to carry almost 5,000 passengers. At least 800 holidays have already been cancelled, mostly cruise trips. Many more might still be affected. Some people were left in the middle of their trips, while others never got to board their cruise or fly out at all.
One customer told a newspaper that she lost her 60th birthday trip to Hawaii. Another said they were asked to pay again within 48 hours, or their trip would be cancelled. Some say they couldn’t reach the company at all—no calls, no emails, no help.
It’s a stressful and heartbreaking situation. But don’t worry—there are still ways to recover your money, and we’ll show you how in the second half of this article.
What ATOL Protection Means for You
You’ve heard the word ATOL a few times now, so let’s explain it in easy words.
ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. It’s a system in the UK that protects travelers when they book package holidays that include flights. If something goes wrong with the travel company, ATOL makes sure you either get your money back—or you’re brought home safely if you’re already on holiday.
So, if you booked a Jetline holiday that included a flight, and it was booked before March 6, 2025, you might still be covered. You should have received an ATOL certificate when you booked. That’s your golden ticket.
But here’s the catch: if you booked cruise-only, accommodation-only, or anything without a flight, ATOL doesn’t protect it. That’s where things get tricky, and we’ll guide you through other options to claim your money back in the second part of this article.
How to Claim a Refund After Jetline Travel Administration
If your holiday was cancelled because of the Jetline Travel administration, don’t panic—there are still ways to get your money back.
First, check if your booking was ATOL protected. Look for the ATOL certificate that came with your booking confirmation. It will tell you which company was protecting your trip and what is covered. If you have this certificate, go to the CAA’s website and follow the steps to start your refund claim.
You’ll need to give some basic details like:
The process is all online and usually takes a few weeks. But the sooner you start, the better.
What If You Paid by Credit or Debit Card?
Even if your booking wasn’t ATOL protected, you still might get your money back.
If you paid £100 or more using a credit card, you are likely protected under something called Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This means the credit card company is also responsible if something goes wrong with your purchase. You can contact your credit card provider and ask for a refund claim under Section 75.
If you paid with a debit card or a smaller credit card amount, ask your bank about a chargeback claim. It’s not a legal right like Section 75, but many banks will help you get your money back if you act fast.
Just explain what happened with Jetline Travel, and show proof of your booking and payment. Many customers have already used these methods to recover lost money after the Jetline Travel administration.
What If You’re Already on Holiday?
Were you already overseas when Jetline collapsed? If so, don’t worry—there is still help.
If your flight ticket is confirmed and you hold a valid e-ticket, the CAA has advised that you can still fly back home. Just go to the airport and check in as usual. Your return flight should still be safe and working, even if Jetline is no longer active.
If your hotel or cruise was booked through Jetline and you’re already there, things may be more difficult. In that case, speak directly to the hotel or cruise company. If your booking was prepaid, they may still honor it. If not, you might have to pay again—but keep your receipts. You can use those to make a refund claim later.
Was Jetline Travel in Trouble Before?
Many people didn’t see this collapse coming—but there were warning signs.
Jetline left ABTA in 2020, during the COVID pandemic. ABTA helps protect bookings and gives refunds when things go wrong. When Jetline left, it raised concerns about their refund policies.
Also, their business was shrinking. In 2023, their turnover was £28 million, but by late 2024, it had dropped to £17 million. That’s a huge loss. Customers also reported problems with delayed payments and bad communication, even before the administration news.
So while the final shutdown was sudden, the problems had been building for a while.
What Travel Experts Say About the Collapse
Experts in the travel world say Jetline’s collapse is a warning for all travelers.
One big issue was the loss of ATOL protection, which happened in early March 2025. That alone made the business unstable. But the bigger problem was that Jetline was selling cruises as a principal, meaning they were fully responsible for the trip. When they didn’t pass payments on to cruise companies, it caused major breaches of contract.
Experts also warn about booking with companies that don’t have ABTA membership or ATOL coverage. These protections are there for a reason. Without them, travelers have fewer rights if something goes wrong.
What You Should Do Next
Here’s what you should do now if you were affected by the Jetline Travel administration:
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Check for your ATOL certificate – If you have one, start a refund claim on the CAA website.
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Look at how you paid – If you used a credit card, contact your bank for a Section 75 claim.
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Gather all your documents – Booking emails, payment receipts, and screenshots can help with any claim.
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Contact cruise lines or hotels – They may still honor your booking or offer options.
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Be careful with scams – Some fake refund services may try to take advantage of the situation. Only deal with official sources like your bank or the CAA.
And for your next holiday? Always check if your trip is ATOL or ABTA protected. Book with trusted companies, and when possible, use a credit card for big payments. These small steps can save you a lot of trouble later.
Final Thoughts
The Jetline Travel administration was a shock for many people. Special holidays were lost. Hard-earned money disappeared. And families were left feeling angry and confused.
But there is still hope. With the right steps, many customers will get their refunds. This situation also teaches all of us how important it is to be book smart, stay protected, and know our rights.
If you or someone you know was affected by Jetline Travel, share this article—it may help them get the refund they deserve.
You may also read, Amazon Surprise Refunds Years-Old Purchases
