Flight cancelled ahead of time

belfastgirl23

Apologies if this info is available but I can't find anything directly relevant, most info is on flights cancelled at short notice. And there's not much on aer lingus either

I booked flights with aer lingus for a two week hol over Easter. They have just cancelled the outward bound flight. They rebooked me on to the return flight (also rescheduled by 8hrs to a much less convenient time *sigh*) but obviously I will need to find an alternative route out. I can slightly change other travel arrangements and go via london where work will cover the cost of getting that far at least, so I don't want them to rebook me in any case.

I haven't contacted aer lingus yet. Anyone got any experiences of getting refunds or any type of goodwill gesture? This is a route I fly several times a year so I'm a regular customer (if such things make any difference). Of course I may be just dreaming lol! Any advice?

richardw

Article 8 of EU Reg EC261/2004 says they must re-route you, it doesn't say you can only be re-routed on Aer Lingus, so find the best alternative that suits you and ask them to book you on it.

If you want to make your own arrangements, ask for a refund and some frequent flyer points for goodwill.

JPears

Centipede100 wrote: »

And it is implied under re-routing that this shall be at no additional cost to the passenger.

If you do ask for a full refund bear in mind that you might not be able to book similar flights elsewhere for the same cost as those you originally bought from Aer Lingus.

But so far ahead, Aer Lingus are only obliged to refund in full or offer a reroute- 261/2004 doesn't apply?

richardw

JPears wrote: »

But so far ahead, Aer Lingus are only obliged to refund in full or offer a reroute- 261/2004 doesn't apply?

Yes, it is too early for Article 7 - Compensation.

JPears

Centipede100 wrote: »

Really?!!! You may well be thinking of Art 7 compensation as richardw has already stated but the obligation to reroute (or to refund in full) is one of the statutory requirements of 261/2004 no matter how far ahead the reservation or flight might be. Since the flight in question has been cancelled 261/2004 then comes into play.

My understanding was that cancellation s far as 261/2004 was ony applicable less than 2 weeks before flight concerned?
So my flights booked with BA in Oct 2012 for Jul 2013 which were rescheduled twice, first time with an additional 7 hours transfer in Heathrow and different day for return flight, then a second time a month later with even longer transfer and 3 days later return, would have been covered under 261/2004? And I could have insisted on rerouting even with a dfferent carrier?

richardw

Centipede100 wrote: »

..Whether BA would have enabled you to be re-routed on a different carrier is another matter altogether (there being no precedent case law on this particular point) ....

Let's not forget that Jet2 didn't let matters go as far as a hearing when lewroll brought a case against them ! http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43071894&postcount=33

richardw

Yes and the thread included clarity from WickedWolfie http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=30279665&postcount=19

JPears

Centipede100 wrote: »

Only the Art 7 compensation is time limited in the Reg. All other provisions apply from the moment a flight is reserved/booked.

You could certainly have insisted that the airline re-route you once the flight was rescheduled for a different day as the flight would then be classified as cancelled. Whether BA would have enabled you to be re-routed on a different carrier is another matter altogether (there being no precedent case law on this particular point) but practicality might have swayed their opinion and how they might have reacted.

Hey JP you should stick around, you might learn something to your advantage;)!!

Ah I just remembered - got flights on Avios points, so reg doesn't apply :cool:

richardw

JPears wrote: »

Ah I just remembered - got flights on Avios points, so reg doesn't apply :cool:

Btw There's recital 3 of the reg

"3. This Regulation shall not apply to passengers travelling free of charge or at a reduced fare not available directly or indirectly to the public. However, it shall apply to passengers having tickets issued under a frequent flyer programme or other commercial programme by an air carrier or tour operator."

JPears

richardw wrote: »

Btw There's recital 3 of the reg

"3. This Regulation shall not apply to passengers travelling free of charge or at a reduced fare not available directly or indirectly to the public. However, it shall apply to passengers having tickets issued under a frequent flyer programme or other commercial programme by an air carrier or tour operator."

Oh yes. Thanks for that. We drove to Provence in the end....
I'm afraid I've become very cynical of all airlines, including BA. They launched a much publicised and advertised Leeds to Heathrow service 4 times day in September of last year. After 3 months it was down to 3 flights a day and is now at 1 or 2 flights a day, at useless times. Clearly they had no intention of maintaining 4 flights a day, it was just a holding tactic to keep the slots at Heathrow.

belfastgirl23

Thank you all for the comments. At least I know there's no clear cut answers now! I shall try ringing them over the weekend and report back on how I get on