Flight delay compensation, all other EU airlines

Oldernow

DrA_Harrogate wrote: »

The question is whether you were 'denied boarding', which depends on the notice they gave you. Advice is to locate (Google) Vauban's guide, make big pot of tea, and read it twice. At this point you will know whether you are due compensation or not. Since they are based in Malta launching proceedings is a bit more complicated, but they do have a UK presence which is:



Air Malta Co Ltd,
Air Malta House,
314 - 316 Upper Richmond Road,
Putney,
London,
SW15 6TU
Tel No: 020 8785 3199

Cup of coffee and some cheddars got me through it.
It appears that I have a case for compensation.
What I am not sure about is my right to insist on Air Malta booking alternative flights with another airline and if I take the full refund and book similar flights with another airline, will I be able to claim the extra costs?

Caz3121

Oldernow wrote: »

Cup of coffee and some cheddars got me through it.
It appears that I have a case for compensation.

compensation applies if you are given less than 14 days notice

JPears

But you do have the right to alternative flights, with a different airline, if more convenient to you. At air Malta's expense.
They also have a duty of care if you take the stopover option ie hotels and food/drink.
Its all in article 8 of the regulation. Quote the relevant parts at them. If they refuse and you book the alternative flight yourself, do not take the refund as the airlines seem to think they have no responsibilty to you. Which is incorrect.
It sounds as though Air Malta, like the majority of airlines, are not going to make this easy for you.
See if Air Malta are signed up to an ADR.

Oldernow

if Air Malta refuse to offer flights with an alterative airline or arrange accommodation and transfers for the overnight connecting flights, what are my options?
The ideal scenario is for Air Malta to book us on flights with an alternative airline that gets us to and from CAG direct with no fuss or bother interfering with our holiday. If we had to take the overnight connecting flights, it would be a bit of an inconvenience, but not disastrous, if accommodation and transport were arranged. At least the worst bit is at the front end of the holiday.
Air Maltas current status is to offer the overnight connecting flights with no liability for accommodation or expenses incurred, or full refund.
My biggest fear is that time will leave me with the alternative operator option gone and having to accept paying for accommodation and transport on the overnight re-route but not being able to find accommodation.

Oldernow

I have printed the EU261/2004 and highlighted key sections for my conversation with Air Malta tomorrow. I am struggling to find where the alternative operator option is a 'right'. Everything else is pretty clear.

Oldernow

So, called Air Malta and they are standing firm on reroute with no accommodation etc or a refund. I quoted 261/2004 articles 5,6,8,9 and after checking with his superior, same outcome. Being steered to customer service, which is email correspondence only.
If I take the refund and book alternative flights myself, am I still able to claim the difference?

JPears

Yes, but as I mentioned earlier, airlines tend to take the attitude that if you take the refund, they have no responsibility to you. This is wrong but airlines are convinced of it.
And don't expect the refund to be immediate. If you take the refund, make it quite clear to every email address that you have that you expect payment by a certain date. And that you will still be claiming the cost of the alternative flights due to their cancellation.

Oldernow

Thanks for all your help.


This is my response finally from Air Malta




Dear Mr

---

,

Thank you for contacting our Customer Care Team.

We are sorry to note that your flight was cancelled and you will be re-protected on other flights via London Heathrow.

We totally understand your disappointment in this regard. It is not in our intention to disturb our customers itinerary an flight plans. These situations do occur in the aviation business and regrettably it is not always possible to avoid these situations.

Upon reviewed the new proposed flights we would like to inform you that we will cover the following expenses if the new flights are taken.

[*]Transportation form the airport to the hotel and again from the hotel to the airport in Malta
[*]A three star accommodation for the one night on your arrival and for the return journey in Malta
[*]Breakfast on the

---

if this is not included with the one night stay.
[*]Dinner on the

---

including beverages, but excluding alcohol




Copy of the official receipts are to be provided to our office by return of email after the full travel period.

Trusting that the above is satisfactory, please let us know if you need any further assistance in the matter.

Best regards

Marthese

Andy_Coates

Hi,

I have a query about indirect flights and the distances used to measure for compensation purposes.

I was travelling Porto - Lisbon - Heathrow with TAP, all booked directly with them. The Porto - Lisbon leg was 2 hours late meaning we missed the Lisbon - Heathrow flight. We were rebooked onto a flight the following day and got home around 12 hours late (11am next day rather than 11pm previous day).

As it was the Lisbon - Heathrow flight / leg that we ended up 12 hours late on (1564 km) and the full route was Porto - Lisbon - Heathrow (1841 km) i was expecting 400 euros per person compensation as it was over 1500 km.

However, they are only offering 250 euro as Porto - Heathrow direct is 1299 km, even though we were not flying direct. I have queried it twice now on the phone and they have said they will email me, but does anyone have any experience of what they normal payout is for something like this?

Thanks

Caz3121

the mileage is taken from start point to end point so Porto to Heathrow (does not matter that it was not a direct flight - you don't add the distances together)