Compensation for delayed flights Discussion Area

robrymond

Centipede100 wrote: »

Presumably some kind airline engineers finally fixed the problem and you were able to resume your journey and holiday at a later stage? How long was the delay?

You need to find out from the airline in writing what their official reason for the delay was before you can do anything else. Revert back here once you have their response.

Yes, we have a letter when we landed which states:

'We are sorry for the extended delay to your flight to Cuba. As you will know, your original aircraft had to return to Manchester due to an unforeseen operationally significant defect which required investigation prior to further flight.

As well as offering our apologies for the disruption, below is confirmation of your flight times in case you hold travel insurance that covers you for delays of this nature. If so, you will need to obtain a claim form from your insurance company and then attach this letter as proof of the actual departure time. (Most policies are based on departure rather than arrival times.)'

It then gives the details of departure and arrival and the actual time we departed and arrived.

The pilot insisted it is a minor and common problem when we were in the air and that we could continue to Cuba however due to no maintenance facilities at the airport there it was best to turn back.

My argument now is that this was the 2nd incident in 2 weeks with this plane and the plane went onto a further 3rd incident with emergency landing...so clearly this is a major problem.

Pez4

Thanks very much. Thats probably exactly what I wanted to hear!

staylor1982

blindman wrote: »

Only compensation for the delay as you did eventually get there so no refund.

I have used the Template letter, to send to Thmoas Cook after my 7 hours and 19 mins delay from Manchester Airport on the 29 september 2012 to Alicante Airport.
I sent it on the 19/11/2012 and I have got a reply back today.

I write to acknowledge receipt of your further communication.

I am sorry that you remin unhappy with the way your complaint has been dealt with intialiiy and the further comments you have made will certainly be considered.

Following a review of your entire case, You will be contacted again with a view to bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion for all concerned.

As a member of ABTA we endeavour to respond to you corresponence within 28 days of receipt. In the meantime, I apoloise for any delay in our further reply.

yours sincerly

Javairia Mayet
Customer Relations Team


After watching Watchdog Daily last week on this subject, I heard alot of Thomas Cook customers have not even got a repply, so this has to be a good start??

charltonfan1

Standard email response received today from Monarch to my emailed claim dated 7th November:

Thank you for your recent email.

I would like to acknowledge safe receipt of your form. If we require any additional information from you we will be in touch and let you know.

Before responding substantively to your claim, we will need some time to investigate the circumstances surrounding your delay. This may involve obtaining feedback from a number of different areas of the business and, in some circumstances, third party suppliers. Nevertheless, our aim is to respond to you as quickly as possible.

We will notify you once our investigations are complete. But in the meantime, thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

gmar96

Hi Centipede,

Nothing in the UK as far as I can tell. Head office Doha has my letter apparently. What do I know? Seems they have registered offices throughout Europe>>
http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/legal-information-eu.page

I'm sure it probably says here in the forum somewhere but have I no recourse if they don't have a registered office here in the UK? Would it be pointless pursuing this? It seems difficult to start a claim without giving Qatar a chance to state reasons for delay. But they are ignoring me it would appear.

Used flight stats... 3 hours 12 minutes late. It led to a missed connection... overnight stay in hotel courtesy of Qatar with meals... rerouted through Manila next day...due to rules in Manila wife had to get her baggage there instead of having it delivered to Cebu. It was a difficult experience for her and our two year old child. I'm certain not the worst experience but unpleasant nonetheless.

Bottom line is without a reason being expressed by Qatar I feel I'm on shaky ground going straight to small claims... should I give more time... write or phone them and demand an answer??? I notice you mention that always better to give every other avenue a try before court.

Gman

vladman

Centipede100 wrote: »

It sounds as if your flight was delayed not cancelled. Plenty of advice on here but before you do anything else you need to find out from the airline what their official reason is for the delay.

Hi Centipede, thanks for your reply.

Well, I have a printed note from BA here with me, which we were given the day following our delay, and it says:

"As you are aware, your aircraft developed a technical fault that took our engineers some time to repair and as a result we had to delay your departure".

It then goes on to tell us when the new departure time is, etc.

Mark2spark

Centipede100 wrote: »

T

I can see why you might rather pursue a denied boarding claim than a delayed flight claim but my own view is that this is quite complex and it may be in your own interest to seek some legal advice before you proceed further.

Many thanks again.
I'm going to choose to wait a little longer and see what Monarch come up with by way of an excuse before upping the ante.
What a shame that the flight numbers were not the other way around, ie the scheduled numbered flight took off on time, and the secondary, overspill, flight, with a different flight number, was the one delayed. It might be rather easier to claim for denied boarding in that circumstance. :undecided

Mark2spark

tinkerbellkirst wrote: »

Hi, i have posted here a while back.

I sent in a claim to Thomas cook for a refund of my 'choose your seats' as our flight was delayed for 8hrs and we ended up on a different air craft.

AFAIA, you can only get a refund if you have paid for extra leg room seats, or another definitive service, that was not supplied.
Seating together amounts to simply that.

Mark2spark

Pez4 wrote: »

Hi
My question now is do I fill in and return the form or do I ignore it altogether and pursue my claim through the small claim court, which I am more than willing to do? Any advice Please.

Fill in and send the claim form, together with the requested documentation. Use recorded delivery, keep the receipt.
Continue with the small claim process.
You will need to show the court that they failed to respond to your correspondance within a reasonable time, but once they had, you have complied with their process requests.
There's every chance that it'll get to court without them further replying to your claim form and documentation, so you'll be able to show the court that you have sent them the documentation as well.

Mark2spark

robrymond wrote: »

My argument now is that this was the 2nd incident in 2 weeks with this plane and the plane went onto a further 3rd incident with emergency landing...so clearly this is a major problem.

My tuppence worth.
The aircraft, following engine replacement, has been deemed 'fit to fly' by the powers that be. Therefore a mid flight problem will be argued by the airline that it's a safety issue.
The crux is that the Captain said you could fly onto the final destination without any safety issues, but that you were turning around due to lack of maintenance facilities.
Therefore it was a commercial decision based on the best financial outcome for the airline.
Arguing whether other incidents were a featuring part of your delay is fruitless IMO.
They supplied a plane that was fit to fly, which departed on time.
They turned around because it was cheaper for them to have it fixed in the UK.