Help with claiming compensation from BA for flea bites on flight!

Good_Girl

I would be grateful for anyone's help/advice on behalf of my friend.

My friend recently completed a round the world trip with an upgrade to business class on her flight home from Florida to London with BA (something that she had been looking forward to having back-packed around the world for the previous year!). During the flight she was bitten numerous times on her lower legs and ankles by fleas which became red, itchy and painful. She took pictures of the bites (and they were pretty horrible!) and sent them, along with a letter of complaint to BA Customer Relations.

She has just received a response which says:

"We're meticulous about our aircraft being clean and presentable throughout, so I am concerned by what you tell us about your own flight. I have told our maintenance management team - you can be sure they will follow it up.

I am sorry that everything wasn't as it should have been this time, and I'm sure you and your friend will be happy with our standards when you next fly with us."

I think that she should write back saying that she is not satisfied with this response and would like compensation - does anyone have any advice as to whether she can do this or what type of compensation she could ask for?

Thanks!

dmg24

I would say the chances of getting compensation are about zero.

How can she prove that she got the flea bites on the flight, and not at the airport or the hotel ... or even when she got home?!

Furthermore, even if she did get the fleas on the flight, they are sadly a fact of life, you wouldn't ask for compensation if you got stung by a bee!

Good_Girl

I agree with your thought to an extend but is there really nothing to do? She did pay for an upgrade?

dmg24

No! Why should an upgrade mean she should get compensation?

Your friend still has absolutely no proof that she got the fleas on the plane.

If you get DVT in Business Class does that mean you should get compensation?

Unfortunately, these things happen! x

Woby_Tide

maybe she was carrying the fleas in her hand luggage in teh first place so needs to pay some compensation to BA so they can clean up

dmg24

Good point Woby_Tide! x

cuteusmaximus

I agree that you can't really prove that it happened on the flight. Now that you (or your friend) have sent a letter and received nothing but an unsatisfying response, I suggest you write back saying you won't be flying British Air again (or forget writing and just avoid them in the future). I avoid BA myself if at all possible after repeated bad experiences.