What does ATOL protection mean?

ATOL is the UK Civil Aviation Authority's financial protection for package trips that include a flight, sold in the UK. This page sets out what it covers, from the scheme's own website. It lists 38 companies in the Uncompromised Travel tables whose own websites say they hold an ATOL.

What does ATOL protection mean?

ATOL is financial protection for package trips with a flight sold by UK firms. If the firm fails you can claim your money back, or carry on with your trip and be brought home. It is not travel insurance. A flight bought with an e-ticket issued at once is not covered.

What the official websites say, read on 4 November 2026:

• ATOL is financial protection for package trips that include a flight; it is not travel insurance. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• ATOL also covers some flight-only bookings, typically where the ticket is not issued straight away. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• Your travel company should tell you before you book whether a flight-only booking is ATOL protected. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• If you buy a flight from an airline or travel company and receive a valid e-ticket for your payment, ATOL does not cover it. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• ATOL does not cover flight cancellations or the quality of service from your tour operator; the CAA adds that ATOL-protected package holidays fall under package travel rules, which give a refund if the flight is cancelled. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• If the firm fails, you can claim your money back, or carry on with your holiday and be brought home. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• The scheme can arrange flights home and reimburse money spent replacing ATOL-protected parts of a trip. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• A UK-established package organiser must provide effective security against its own insolvency. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• The security must cover refunds of all payments for travel services not performed because of the insolvency. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• Where transport is included, it must also cover bringing the traveller home, with accommodation until then if needed. Source, read 4 November 2026.

How do I check that a company holds an ATOL?

Search the CAA's ATOL register by the firm's name or ATOL number. Ask for your ATOL Certificate as soon as you pay anything.

• The ATOL Certificate is your proof that the trip is ATOL protected. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• You should get the ATOL Certificate as soon as you pay anything, even a deposit. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• You can check whether a firm holds an ATOL by name or ATOL number using the CAA's search tool at atol.org/check-for-atol/. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• ATOL holders must show the ATOL logo and their own four- or five-digit ATOL number. Source, read 4 November 2026.
• The CAA site also links to a search of ATOL holders and members of ATOL Accredited Bodies. Source, read 4 November 2026.

Which travel companies hold an ATOL?

38 companies in the Uncompromised Travel tables say on their own websites that they hold an ATOL; most give the number, which you can check on the CAA register.

Luxury tour operators: 21 companies, from the luxury tour operators table.

Safari planners: 16 companies, from the safari planners table.

Local safari operators: 1 company, from the local safari operators table.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 4 November 2026 · updated 4 November 2026