Compensation for delayed flights Discussion Area

richardw

Are you seeking compensation or right to care expense reimbursement?

teeb

richardw wrote: »

Are you seeking compensation or right to care expense reimbursement?

Compensation; I don't think I'm entitled to expense reimbursement? Is that right?

Voyager2002

Finding the reason for a delay

Is there a web site like Flightstats that gives information on worldwide flights?

I suffered a delay of more than three hours on a flight from Paris to an African airport. The weather in Paris was certainly bad, and boarding was interrupted because of heavy rain. As we waited on the ground, the pilot announced that we were waiting because of technical problems. (I think he said that the engine had got wet because of the rain, but surely that could not affect a modern airliner!) Anyway, I contacted the airline and they claimed that the delay was purely because of weather, so it was an "exceptional circumstance" and so no compensation was due.

This happened on 14 July (ironic that it was the French national holiday, and the airline was Air France of course).

Voyager2002

Thank you Cityboy.

It was AF0804, CDG to COO (Cotonou). Since Air France are refusing compensation even for flights that were unquestionably delayed for technical reasons (like my outbound flight on the same trip) the information is of no immediate relevance, but if the ECJ removes the stay on cases then I might commence action in the small claims court for both outbound and return journeys.

Voyager2002

Thanks Cityboy.

Yes, I appreciate that compensation claims in England have been "stayed" by our courts while the question is referred back to the ECJ. If, as I hope, the ECJ upholds its position then the result will be that the "stay" is removed by an act of the ECJ.

There most certainly were some dramatic weather effects in Paris that day! However, the captain did make a number of announcements about the technical problem, giving as a commentary on the work of the repair team, and so forth. Anyway, I would also have considerable sympathy for the airline in this situation and normally would not bother, but if I am taking action because of the delay to the outbound flight (which cost me the complete day in Paris that I had organised) then presumably I can add on this delay for minimal extra trouble.

Anyway, the US site for flightstats confirmed the length of the delay but said nothing about the cause.

Beemerblue

Hi All
Looking for advice on my recent flight with Thomas Cook. Myself and wife were collected at 02.15hrs Sun 19 Sept from our hotel in Bodrum Turkey by coach to take us to the airport for our return trip to Glasgow. The coach then collected passangers from other hotels enroute. When the last were collected , the TC rep told everyone that we were being taken to another hotel for accomodation as our flight had been delayed from 05.20 until 20.30hrs that night, The reason we were given was that it was a security issue at Glasgow airport. We were then taken to hotel and given room , breakfast and lunch. During breakfast we found out that our flight had actually left on time and arrived in Glasgow. TC had sent an aircraft to Bodrum which was too small for all passangers so 50 of us had been denied boarding the aircraft, or attending at the airport. I appreciate that we given accomodation etc but do we have a claim for compensation? Due to the fact that we had been delayed for 15 hours and the eventual flight we got had a different flight number as our original flight actually took off on time? Any advice would be much appreciated. I have contacted TC who have acknowledged reciept of corresspondence but I want to know if the court stay re claims affect my situation or not.

Voyager2002

beemerblue wrote: »

Hi All
Looking for advice on my recent flight with Thomas Cook. Myself and wife were collected at 02.15hrs Sun 19 Sept from our hotel in Bodrum Turkey by coach to take us to the airport for our return trip to Glasgow. The coach then collected passangers from other hotels enroute. When the last were collected , the TC rep told everyone that we were being taken to another hotel for accomodation as our flight had been delayed from 05.20 until 20.30hrs that night, The reason we were given was that it was a security issue at Glasgow airport. We were then taken to hotel and given room , breakfast and lunch. During breakfast we found out that our flight had actually left on time and arrived in Glasgow. TC had sent an aircraft to Bodrum which was too small for all passangers so 50 of us had been denied boarding the aircraft, or attending at the airport. I appreciate that we given accomodation etc but do we have a claim for compensation? Due to the fact that we had been delayed for 15 hours and the eventual flight we got had a different flight number as our original flight actually took off on time? Any advice would be much appreciated. I have contacted TC who have acknowledged reciept of corresspondence but I want to know if the court stay re claims affect my situation or not.

Was your flight operated by Thomas Cook? If so, you were effectively denied boarding, and have the same rights as if your flight was cancelled.

Beemerblue

Thanks Voyager2002.
It was Thomas Cook, would I be right in thinking that cancalation/denied boarding claim is not affected by the court stay on claims?

Voyager2002

beemerblue wrote: »

Thanks Voyager2002.
It was Thomas Cook, would I be right in thinking that cancalation/denied boarding claim is not affected by the court stay on claims?

Yes, absolutely.

Read back through this thread and you will find some excellent 'template' letters posted by Cityboy. Do as he advises, and be sure that the law is on your side.

Just to confirm: did you eventually arrive back in the UK on a flight with a different flight number from the flight on which you were booked?

Beemerblue

This is where I may have difficulty, the flight we eventually returned on had 2 flight numbers at the check-in, the original flight No and a different flight No. I presume that this was intended to save confusion but I would have thought that as the original flight had actually flown on time and arrived at the destination, surely they cannot have another flight 15 hours later with the same number.
Many thanks for your reply. I will update when I eventually get reply from Thomas Cook.