Communications crisis Sat 7/11 5hour delay

gms2012

I was flying from Malaga to Gatwick with BA business Class and endedn up 5 and a half hours late taking off. We were given no food vouchers and then when when we did take off fed a sandwich (in bus class?). This in itself seems wrong but I understand flights delayed over 5 hours are covered for compensation? Also the delay meant I missed a cataract op which has now been rescheduled causing a delay to my onward trip back to Tanzania where I am volunteering in a childrens home.
I will have to pay a lot to reorganise my flights etc and extend my stay in UK plus I miss Xmas day with the kids!
Please help with any advice as to what I should do.
PS I was only bus class because of seven months luggage and used all my airmiles because I couldnt afford to pay for the luggage!!!
Hope someone can help thanks

Caz3121

gms2012 wrote: »

I understand flights delayed over 5 hours are covered for compensation?

Compensation under EU261/2004 is only payable if the delay is within the control of the airline.
There were issues on the 7th due to the well publicised ATC issues at Swanwick. If your flight was delayed due to that issue then the airline is not liable for any compensation payment. You would be due reimbursement of refreshments etc you purchased during your wait under the "duty of care"

You could try your travel insurance and see what they offer

I am not quite sure how this delay resulted in a delay of your op. Were you planning on heading straight from the airport to the hospital for an op on the Saturday afternoon? If that was the case that was probably bad planning anyway

Re the changing of your other flights, again you should speak to your travel insurance and see whether your rescheduled op will be sufficient for them to reimburse your expense

gms2012

Thanks for that, yes my op was the same afternoon. I left 5 hours between landing and the op time to cover delays but due to the tight time frames re my return to Tanzania this was the only travel date possible.

Now the op has been delayed by a week which means the recouperation time before a lon g haul flight is safe will necesitate a change.

I thought there was separate compensation scheme for delays over 5 hours irrespective of the cause? An EU backed scheme?

Thanks

Caz3121

I believe the only difference for 5 hour delays is you have the choice not to travel and receive a refund of the ticket in addition to compensation however the compensation is still only payable if the delay is within the airlines control