Get some money back for a missed flight - even if it's your fault

It's a well-known fact that under EU regulations you're entitled to compensation if your airline lets you down.

But did you know you can sometimes still get a partial refund for the cost of a flight, even if it's your own fault that you've missed it?

One of the many elements of the cost of a plane ticket is Air Passenger Duty (APD), a tax payable to the government that's included in the cost of your ticket. It was recently abolished for children, but remains payable for adult tickets.

But it only becomes due when you step on the plane - meaning that if you fail to make your flight, you can claim it back.

The APD amounts to £13 for a short-haul flight in economy class and can be as much as £73 for long-haul - up to £146 in first class. This means it's certainly it's worth the hassle of trying to claim. However, some airlines make the process easier than others.

"The procedures for claiming a refund vary from airline to airline – some will refund the tax automatically, whereas others require you to fill out a form," explains flight search engine Skyscanner.

"Each airline should publish details of how to claim back APD tax on its own website. If you cannot find this, call the airline and request details."

Things may change for people in Scotland, where there are plans to halve the cost of APD from April 2018 and eventually abolish it altogether. But in the meantime, and for the rest of us, here's how to claim from some of the major airlines.

EasyJet
Easyjet guarantees to refund APD in full if a flight isn't taken. Contact customer services on 0330 365 5000.

Ryanair
Ryanair customers can apply for an APD refund here. However, be warned: the company charges an administration fee of £17, meaning that for short haul economy flights there's nothing to be gained.

British Airways
British Airways, too, charges a fee for refunding APD - and at £15, that's also more than you might be entitled to claim. Even worse, the fee rises to £30 if you made your booking by phone. There's also a 72-hour time limit for making a claim. If you've paid more than this in tax, though, and you do want to go ahead, you can reclaim here using your booking reference.

Virgin Atlantic
Virgin applies a whacking £30 charge - meaning that again there's no point trying to claim for an economy short-haul flight. Contact customer service on 0344 2097770.

Flybe
Flybe's administration fee is £25; there's more information on how to claim here.