Claiming whilst traveling on business

phritchie

Hello,

I've done plenty of reading on this forum, as I've already got a claim in with Thomson, but I haven't been able to find any clarification to this question; If I were delayed travelling on business and my company paid my flights, would I be due the compensation?

My wife and I were both due to fly with Eastern Airways from Aberdeen to East Midlands a couple of weeks ago, but our flight was cancelled due to crew sickness. Instead we were offered flights to Humberside, then put in a taxi for the rest of the way, arriving 2 hours later than the original flight would have.

We've complained to Eastern, and to their credit they've agreed to give me the 250 euros due without much hassle. However, while I'd paid my flights myself, my wife was returning from a business trip and her flights were paid for by her employer. Eastern have contacted the booking agent her employer used, who have said there isn't a procedure in place for my wife to get the compensation. She's asked Eastern directly for the compensation but they won't pay it to her.

This doesn't sound right to me. It was my wife who suffered the delay, and it was on our time, not the company's. Is there any clarification on this? All the legislation I can see simply says "the passenger" is entitled to the compensation. She wouldn't be denied other rights in the event of a delay, eg food or overnight accommodation, so why not the right to compensation?

Any help appreciated. I imagine there are plenty of people who get delayed whilst flying on business...

Vauban

phritchie wrote: »

Hello,

I've done plenty of reading on this forum, as I've already got a claim in with Thomson, but I haven't been able to find any clarification to this question; If I were delayed travelling on business and my company paid my flights, would I be due the compensation?

I think that the compensation is due, by law, to the person whose name is on the ticket. But your company may argue that, if you are travelling at their time and expense, you shouldn't keep the cash. (I'm pretty sure my employer would take that view!). I won't intrude on private grief!

Mark2spark

The passenger gets the compensation.
Full stop.
14 days NBA.

Mark2spark

Perhaps the company gets a free meal and a hotel for the night whilst the passenger is left in the airport?

phritchie

Thanks everyone. I was pretty sure that was the case, I'd just never found any clarification.

And good news- the booking agent have investigated and agreed that in this case my wife is due the compensation. Eastern have accepted that and are paying up for us both now.
:beer:

Now why does it have to be so difficult for other airlines?...