Budget airlines Consumer rights.

Jonlogical

This is my first post, although I have been a voyeur for a long time.

I recently travelled with Jet2.com. Not my first trip with them but a bad experience, a catalogue of errors, but the question I have is this. When my flight was booked the price of aviation fuel was circa $200 dollars a barell (an all time high). A large fuel surcharge was added, I have asked Jet2 to refund this, as at the time of taking my flight the cost of fuel had reduced by almost 70% not accounting for the exchange rate difference.

The airlines seem to have written there own rules cutting across normal consumer law with a scythe, This does not seem fair or honest.

Has this been discussed previously? Any links would help.

Thanks for any input.

richardw

I think your chances are nil.

dealsearcher

It's been discussed on a number of TV consumer affairs programmes. Their conclusion was similar to that of the government asking Fred Godwin to return his pension payout - 'please, please airlines could you reduce your fuel surcharges?'. Answer: 'er ... no'.

In fact to be more accurate the airlines compared it to the gas companies who have to make forward contracts for their supplies. The airlines also say they have to make forward contracts for their supplies. Not all of them do this, but they still use it as an excuse. They also use many other excuses.

Jonlogical

I still fail to see how airlines can operate outside normal consumer law. Maybe a crusade is needed. If I do not get anywhere I fully intend to send details to the OFT, and my MP.

A couple of other things I did not include on my original post.
When I checked the Jet2 website prior to flying a large banner is prominent now 22kg baggage allowance (originally 17kg),my luggage was weighed at 3kg over £18 to pay the average weight just 18kg per bag. When I queried the charge, "the new allowance is for passenger booking after October 20th", so we had 2 sets of allowances for one flight.

During the flight sanwidches and much promoted meal deals are sold, unless you happento be sat in the wrong seat, because they ran out leaving 12 passengers with no food.

I really feel these gangsters of the skies need regulating, that is all airlines . Jet2s official exchange rate when paying in Euro's last week was 1.32 to the pound which is in excess of 20% margin on the normal tourist rate!!
:A

dmg24

Can you clarify which normal consumer law they are in breach of please?

trisontana

Would you have complained if the baggage allowance had been reduced after you had booked your flights, but you had been allowed the higher allowance? I think not.

Jonlogical

dmg24 wrote: »

Can you clarify which normal consumer law they are in breach of please?

Probably not that is why I am here kicking this ball about with you professional players.
On the other hand to charge a large amount of money for a temporary situation regarding fuel surcharge is at least ethically wrong.

Jonlogical

trisontana wrote: »

Would you have complained if the baggage allowance had been reduced after you had booked your flights, but you had been allowed the higher allowance? I think not.

Only if I had been charged for being underweight!!

WiseInvestor_2

As explained above, airlines don't pay pump prices. In fact, jet aviation fuel is more expensive than vehicle fuel. Airlines use a process called "Hedging" (ie Hedge Your Bets) which involves signing contracts with fuel suppliers for 'x' litres/kgs/lbs at 'y' price. Most airlines rushed to sign in the early months of 2008 as fuel prices were going through the roof - often 6/12/18 months contracts. So even though you see the forecourt prices dropping, the cost to fuel an aeroplane remains unchanged, so the surcharges remain.

dealsearcher

Jonlogical wrote: »

I still fail to see how airlines can operate outside normal consumer law. Maybe a crusade is needed. If I do not get anywhere I fully intend to send details to the OFT, and my MP.

As you point out you are not sure what consumer law is I suggest you find out first before writing to complain.

As I have already pointed out your complaint has already been looked at with little to show for it. By all means complain but be sure of your facts when you do.

And Wiseinventor I have already pointed out the forward buying policy of most airlines. It might help if you read the thread first.

Paddy2eyes

When you purchased your ticket you agreed to a price and a baggage allowance. Why do you gripe at the airline because they delivered what you had agreed to at the time of booking. They are not trying to charge you extra or give you less baggage allowance.