Flight Delay with BA

mongwopman

Hi All,

Thanks for the great article regarding compensation for flights, however I have a few queries as I am currently in a stand off with BA regarding a recent flight.

I had a flight to South Africa (JHB) which took off at 21:15 as normal, however when over Egypt the plane was turned around and diverted to Barcelona as one of the BA crew members had falled ill (appendix burst apparently) we sat on the runway for 3 hours and were then told the flight would return to London Heathrow and we would catch the same plane/flight the following day at 11am. I had a connecting flight the following day which I had to re-arrange and payed out of my own pocket for a new flight. This connecting flight was with another airline in South Africa, so I know that BA wont honor that. When seated on the runway in Barcelona we were not given much information at all, and all passengers were left guessing.

We filled out forms so that BA could contact us and a few days later they did. They explained one of their crew members had fallen ill and that they were ofering an eVoucher to the value of £35! To me, thats an insult and a slap in the face. I had to contend with BA's lack of service and no information policy, for a measly £35!! I replied to their message and stated that although I hope their crew member makes a speedy recovery, the £35 voucher they are offering me is an insult and I will to receive a cash refund from the original amount of my ticket as compensation as I did not reach my destination as planned and also because I had to make arrangements and pay out of my own pocket.

BA have since replied a second time and stated that the have reviewed the particulars of the case again and are standing by the offer of the £35.

Am i within my rights request a higher compensation? Do I have a leg to stand on if I decide to report them to the CAA?

In my eyes, their crew member should never have reported for work as Appendicitisdoes not happen out of the blue, the person experiences a pain and discomfort before and during the ordeal. Also, my flight was delayed by almost a day because of all of this and BA are merely trying to fob me off. Am I right to argue with them?


Many thanks

Damien

Caz3121

I would imagine a burst appendix could be classed as exceptional circumstances whether it was a crew member or a passenger the result would likely have been the same
I am not medical so do not know whether your statement re appedicitis not happening out the blue is correct but I have seen people in A&E with appendicitis/burst appendix that seemed to indicate it had just come on.

I don't think there is any way of knowing what stance a court would take but I think that BA will use EC as a defence and the court may side with them

If your connecting flight was on the same ticket then you should not have had to buy a new ticket, if not your travel insurance may help with this.
Did you incur any costs whilst waiting for the next days flight, hotel/meals etc. You should be able to claim reimbursement of these with receipts irrespective if the airline is to blame or not