Flight cancelled during latest BA staff strikes

nabobbles

I recently had a return flight cancelled while I was on holiday, due to BA staff strikes.

The flight was for myself, my wife and my two sons (ages 5 and 1). We were booked all seated together near the front for the bassinet seats. The duration of the flight was 07:30 hours direct.

BA informed me two days before the flight date that the flight was cancelled due to staff strikes -
when I called them they were able to book us onto an alternative flight, for the same day, although operated by a different air line.

This presented the following difficulties:
* We spent the best part of two days (out of our 7 day holiday) reshuffling plans. I.e. rescheduling transport to/from airports, trying to contact the new airline (they never did answer the phone), trying to get seats together, trying to get a bassinet seat etc.
* the flight was originally a 07:30 direct flight (booked intentionally because changeovers with young children are a nightmare), this became a 12:00+ hour journey including a 2.5 hour changeover

On top of this, we originally paid additional money to BA to book specific seats on the original flight that, of course, we never ended up getting.

I'm looking to claim compensation from BA for all of the disruption caused.

Just wondered firstly if you think that I have a case? And secondly what is the best way of claiming? I notice there are a number of websites that handle airline compensation, although I'm assuming they take a percentage, and I'm also assuming that some aren't completely legitimate?

Tyzap

nabobbles wrote: »

I recently had a return flight cancelled while I was on holiday, due to BA staff strikes.

The flight was for myself, my wife and my two sons (ages 5 and 1). We were booked all seated together near the front for the bassinet seats. The duration of the flight was 07:30 hours direct.

BA informed me two days before the flight date that the flight was cancelled due to staff strikes -
when I called them they were able to book us onto an alternative flight, for the same day, although operated by a different air line.

This presented the following difficulties:
* We spent the best part of two days (out of our 7 day holiday) reshuffling plans. I.e. rescheduling transport to/from airports, trying to contact the new airline (they never did answer the phone), trying to get seats together, trying to get a bassinet seat etc.
* the flight was originally a 07:30 direct flight (booked intentionally because changeovers with young children are a nightmare), this became a 12:00+ hour journey including a 2.5 hour changeover

On top of this, we originally paid additional money to BA to book specific seats on the original flight that, of course, we never ended up getting.

I'm looking to claim compensation from BA for all of the disruption caused.

Just wondered firstly if you think that I have a case? And secondly what is the best way of claiming? I notice there are a number of websites that handle airline compensation, although I'm assuming they take a percentage, and I'm also assuming that some aren't completely legitimate?

Hi nabobbles,

You are due EC261 compensation of €600 each, including the infant if you had to pay anything for him.

Please google and download 'Vaubans guide' for loads of info.

Contact BA customer services yourself and talk to them, sometimes thats all it takes, or complete the application found on their website.

Claim assistance companies will take around 33% of your compensation if you choose to use one of them so give it a go yourself first.

Please post any further questions on the BA thread.

Good luck.