Flight Delay Compensation from USA

clydek1969

We recently bought what we thought were BA return flights to Miami, but happened to be code share so were in fact with American Airlines.
The subsequent return flight was delayed by over 12 hours, as we had to return back to Miami 2 hours into our flight for a technical fault (smell of petrol in the cabin) and make an emergency landing in Miami.
We then had to wait for 5 hours for a new plane to arrive from New York.
Once the plane eventually arrived we were then waiting on the runway for a further two hours, due to various mix ups with catering etc.

Now it is my understanding that as this plane was flying out of a non European country and is also a non European company that we are not entitled to any compensation. Even though we booked the flights through BA?
I have contacted American Airlines and they offered us a "gesture of goodwill" that related to about £80 worth of vouchers each to use on their Airline.

So my question is, does anyone know if we are entitled to anything and if so what we can do about it?

Thanks in advance

Clyde

richardw

The key is "operating air carrier" which was AA, irrespective of who you booked through.

Ask AA for lots of Avios.

silvercar

Now it is my understanding that as this plane was flying out of a non European country and is also a non European company that we are not entitled to any compensation. Even though we booked the flights through BA?
I have contacted American Airlines and they offered us a "gesture of goodwill" that related to about £80 worth of vouchers each to use on their Airline.

Not covered by EU regulations, unfortunately.

How do you use the vouchers? If they need to be presented in person, they will be difficult to use. If online then easier, but personally I would prefer a chunk of Avios. (value at 1p=1 Avios) to see if their offering is reasonable.

PeacefulWaters

silvercar wrote: »

Not covered by EU regulations, unfortunately.

How do you use the vouchers? If they need to be presented in person, they will be difficult to use. If online then easier, but personally I would prefer a chunk of Avios. (value at 1p=1 Avios) to see if their offering is reasonable.

I'd suggest 1 Avios = 0.67p a more realistic exchange rate.

cubegame

AA vouchers are actually worth more than face value, as you don't pay taxes on the potion of the fare they cover.

duchy

I've used AA's vouchers before. They are pretty straightforward with few restrictions.

AA won't offer you avios...why would they, they are part of One World but have their own FF programme .

clydek1969

Hi,

And thank you.
The problem being that the flight was so horrific and my family so traumitised, I will never fly American Airlines again.
Especially as the vouchers are for little m,ore than £80 per person.

So my original question is, is there are means to get compensdation through a third party?

Thanks

duchy

clydek1969 wrote: »

Hi,

And thank you.
The problem being that the flight was so horrific and my family so traumitised, I will never fly American Airlines again.
Especially as the vouchers are for little m,ore than £80 per person.

So my original question is, is there are means to get compensdation through a third party?

Thanks

What exactly "traumatised " you all? Planes go technical all the time , planes get delayed all the time if you find that horrific then perhaps flying isn't for you and your family as you are clearly very sensitive.

Your contract with the airline was to get you from your destination to your arrival airport , This they did and as they did not do this in a timely manner have offered you compensation for the delay as a courtesy. No extra payment for delicate snowflakeness though I'm afraid .

clydek1969

What traumatised my family was not only the emergency landing back at Miami with fire trucks outside, due to a hard landing as the was a petrol leakage, but more to do with the six hours of extreme turbulence on the flight when it eventually took off, so much so that the servers were reported back to their seats, unable to serve for six hours, so where nowhere to be seen, the lack of any inoformation from them or indeed the silence from the captain the emergency lights and exit lights flashing red throughout this six hours, the numerous passengers throwing up during this time and the awaiting paramedics at Heathrow, who had to come aboard to help people on board who had been taken ill, who were in fact both Air Stewardesses, as the flight had been so bad.

None of it was really a display of 'delicate snowflakeness' as you put it.
But that is besides the point, all I am asking is if anyone is aware of third parties sites such as bottonline or flightdelays.


Thanks

martindow

clydek1969 wrote: »

What traumatised my family was not only the emergency landing back at Miami with fire trucks outside, due to a hard landing as the was a petrol leakage, but more to do with the six hours of extreme turbulence on the flight when it eventually took off, so much so that the servers were reported back to their seats, unable to serve for six hours, so where nowhere to be seen, the lack of any inoformation from them or indeed the silence from the captain the emergency lights and exit lights flashing red throughout this six hours, the numerous passengers throwing up during this time and the awaiting paramedics at Heathrow, who had to come aboard to help people on board who had been taken ill, who were in fact both Air Stewardesses, as the flight had been so bad.

Thanks

An emergency landing and turbulence are unfortunate but really no-one's fault so I don't see why you should expect compensation. It must have been frightening and very unpleasant. Turbulence could be much worse as people can be badly injured being thrown out of their seats if they are not wearing seat belts. Unexpected turbulence can be especially serious.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/11/cost-bumpy-flights-air-turbulence-global-warming-united-airlines

Just be thankful that although you've had some unfortunate experiences you've lived to tell the tale. These will make great anecdotes to tell everyone!

richardw

If you feel they were negligent, argue that with them, but do it in a businesslike formal manner.