Compensation for delayed flights Discussion Area

Vauban

Am off to the BBC studios this afternoon to record an interview about the failures of the Civil Aviation Authority for Radio 4. Will keep you all posted ...

Vauban

Centipede100 wrote: »

So my recent description of you was apposite!

I'm not so sure - I don't do it money. (Is that worse?)

Vauban

Centipede100 wrote: »

So my recent description of you was apposite!

Ignoring the rude insect for the moment ...

Should be an interesting feature. R4 You & Yours have about 8 case studies where the CAA have proved useless and the airlines misbehaved. Focus of the feature will be on "extraordinary circumstances" and the CAA's performance. To be broadcast next Wednesday, apparently. Tune in; radio set to stun ...

Savvy_Sue

DS1 may be one of those on the air next Wednesday: I told him to look around here for help but I think he ignored me, was so glad to hear the You & Yours feature on Monday and he did contact them.

(11 hour delay coming back from the USA, initially diverted to Reykavic for a medical emergency, then they couldn't take off again because there was a problem with the reverse engine thrusters and had to send another plane out.)

slass78

Hi,
Just thought I'd add my success story to maybe give a bit of hope to people - we were delayed in Feb this year going from Manchester to Heathrow, to catch connecting flights via HK to Sydney with Cathay Pacific. The BA flight was only delayed 2 hours but we missed our connection, they rerouted us with Thai airways the following morning, after putting us up in a Heathrow hotel overnight (with meal vouchers and transport provided). We arrived in Sydney 12 hours later than planned.
On our return, I wrote and emailed BA customer service, they offered a £300 BA voucher, but after writing and before receiving their reply I found the information on this and other sites, so wondered if we had a chance with the EU compensation.
When they offered me the £300, I replied saying that I felt I was entitled to the EU compensation, and giving the details provided on this site.
They replied straight back, saying that a different department dealt with EU claims, and my info would be forwarded, oh and I could still have the £300 voucher.
Couple of weeks later, I had an email confirming we were entitled to 600 euro each (2 adults, 2 children) and this morning nearly £2000 has been paid into our account.
Thank you very much BA, I slagged them off for lack of communication, lies etc when we were delayed, but the experience with the complaint has been very good, almost worth being delayed for!
Just a note as well, I'd booked the flights through Flight Centre, and they were all on Cathay flight numbers, it was only the first 1 hour bit of a very long flight that was BA, but they've still paid. Not a very profitable business for them, but maybe it will eventually mean they don't fob off and lie to customers about delays in future. And big thanks for the info on this site that make me even think of asking for it x

Purple_Giraffe_2

Just won compensation from Qatar after our take off from Manchester was delayed by an hour which resulted in missing our connection in Doha . Qatar ground staff were fantastic and put us in a hotel overnight and we caught the next flightt 12 hours later.
I used the claim template on this site and have 4 weeks later have received cheques for £493 each.
I had no boarding cards as proof but had the original booking and fortunately my air miles statement confirmed the different flight numbers so sent these.
I urge anyone delayed to seek compensation it;s certainly paid off for us .

kimk.1

After having my claim for compensation rejected by Thomas Cook twice I have now heard from the CAA to confirm that in their opinion Thomas Cook's claim for extraordinary circumstances is not acceptable and again in their opinion our claim for compensation is valid. I have emailed Thomas Cook again to say we would like them to review it again in light of the CAA's findings but if they say no is it worth taking it to small claims court? Our case relates to an 11 hour delay from Bristol to Tenerife in 2008 (this was the day one of the airlines went bust and it was chaos in the airport).

Vauban

kimk.1 wrote: »

After having my claim for compensation rejected by Thomas Cook twice I have now heard from the CAA to confirm that in their opinion Thomas Cook's claim for extraordinary circumstances is not acceptable and again in their opinion our claim for compensation is valid. I have emailed Thomas Cook again to say we would like them to review it again in light of the CAA's findings but if they say no is it worth taking it to small claims court? Our case relates to an 11 hour delay from Bristol to Tenerife in 2008 (this was the day one of the airlines went bust and it was chaos in the airport).

I don't understand what you mean by "is it worth taking it to the small claims court"? Only you can answer that! But you wont get your compensation any other way. It is a lot of work, and success is not guaranteed. But with a letter from the CAA in your favour, you have a pretty good chance, I'd reckon. Or you could choose a NWNF company for about 30% of your award.

kimk.1

Vauban wrote: »

I don't understand what you mean by "is it worth taking it to the small claims court"? Only you can answer that! But you wont get your compensation any other way. It is a lot of work, and success is not guaranteed. But with a letter from the CAA in your favour, you have a pretty good chance, I'd reckon. Or you could choose a NWNF company for about 30% of your award.

I'm thinking I will try small claims but what I meant was have many had success when in a similar position, ie. letter from CAA but several rejections from Thomas Cook. I have given Thomas Cook one last chance on the back of the CAA letter so we will see what they come back with first.

Vauban

If you look at the "Court Successes" thread (which has fallen into disrepair) you'll see lots of examples of people winning in court WITHOUT a letter from the CAA. The stat used to be about 90% of those starting legal action got compensation. But there are no guarantees: it can still be a bit of a lottery. More certain is that letter tennis with TC won't get you far: only when you take legal action do they take you seriously, unfortunately.