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Downgraded???

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My parents have just been told that the flights they are on have changed and that they are now premium economy instead of business class, they book business class because of the seats not necessarily the services offered - can they do this? The actual carriers have been changed from air china to virgin atlantic.

Comments

  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    Is this part of a holiday package or a flight only? I'm trying to understand why the carrier has been changed.

    Either way, there should be a large refund due and/or the option to cancel with no penalty.
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
  • M4RKM
    M4RKM Posts: 5,132 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Airline / Class / Pitch / Width / Recline

    Air China - Business Class: 42.0'' 19.0'' 36 Lie-flat seats with 170 degree recline

    Virgin Atlantic - Premium Economy Class: 38.0" 21.0" 32 seats with 20 cm/8 in of recline

    hmm... the recline definitely isn't the same, the width of the seat is better on virgin, however, the pitch slightly less...
  • sturll
    sturll Posts: 2,582 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Air China Business class and Virgin Premium Economy are not comparable on any scale.

    Premium Economy is ridiculously over hyped and if i were your parents id be looking for a hefty refund at the least or even try and get on the next available Air China flight.
  • APV1
    APV1 Posts: 70 Forumite
    Here, here! My hotel is a budget hotel, but I like to think in a bracket above a Travelodge, Express By Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Premier Inn, etc. But I'd never compare my facilities with a 5* deluxe hotel or even a full-service hotel. I may be able to give you the service, but not the facilities.

    And you should kick up an almighty stink about this! If I have to outbook someone from my hotel, I move them to a better hotel at the same price (so that they're not getting less for thier money) and offer compensation too. They should be looking after you better than this (and don't let them fob you off with small print - although you should check it)! :mad:

    Good luck!
    I am the General Manager of an hotel in Telford and am happy to offer advice. I can't promise to be perfect, but I'm happy to try to help.
    :cheesy:
  • Are they flying to Shanghai? Virgin Atlantic and Air China have a codeshare for this route using VA fleet (incidentally, booking via the latter is considerably cheaper).

    This might explain why Business Class has been traded for Premium Economy as this is their 'equivalent' due to only having 3 cabins - Upper, Premium Economy and Economy.
    "Who throws a shoe, honestly?"
    :rotfl:
  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    randomtask wrote: »
    Are they flying to Shanghai? Virgin Atlantic and Air China have a codeshare for this route using VA fleet (incidentally, booking via the latter is considerably cheaper).

    This might explain why Business Class has been traded for Premium Economy as this is their 'equivalent' due to only having 3 cabins - Upper, Premium Economy and Economy.

    Business Class and Premium Economy are in no way interchangeable on ANY airline!

    If you were transferred from Air China Business Class to Virgin, I would expect to be in Upper.
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
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