Opinions on this flight delay case?

markhod

Hello,

Last week I was due to fly from Naples to Manchester, changing in Hamburg. Both flights were with the same airline, Eurowings.

I missed the connection due to the flight leaving 2 hours later. The pilot said this due to snow in Hamburg delaying the arrival of the aircraft to Naples. It seems "snow" may be ambiguous as to whether this is extraordinary (e.g. if near a ski resort its not according to the MSE website). Is there mileage in stating snow in Northern Germany in winter/early spring is not unusual?

When I got to Hamburg they refused to book me on the next flight to Manchester on the grounds they do not have any agreement with Easyjet and so would not book me on that flight. Had I taken that flight I would have arrived home at 1:45 am. Instead they booked me on a flight at 6:20 am the next morning to Frankfurt, and from there to Manchester. They provided hotel room + meal. I eventually arrived home at 2 pm the next day. Am I entitled to compensation for this delay on the grounds they could have sent me on the Easyjet flight instead? They stated the flight was too expensive and that they did not have any "agreement" with Easyjet. Googling suggests they are not allowed to pick and choose airlines, but must use the next available flight with free seats. Does anyone have experience of this?

In general I suppose my question is am I entitled to compensation for:

(1) First delay due to snow, which may not be considered extraordinary weather?
(2) Second delay due to not booking me on a flight with a specific airline due to the cost to them?

Thanks,

Mark

Caz3121

on point 1 - Whilst snow in some geographical areas is certainly not unusual, the test for extraordinary circumstances is whether it is in the airline's control. I can imagine that if airlines became responsible for weather delays a number of ski routes would be cancelled for the winter!

stevie11

1. If snow is the genuine reason this will be boyond the airlines control. I suppose a 2 hour delay isn't that long in that case.

2. If Eurowings do not have an agreement with Easyjet, they got you on the next available flight and paid for accomodation and meal.

Unfortunate circumstances but IMO the EU legislation wont cover compensation. What are you expecting to receive from as a form of compo?

JPears

However, the snow affected the previous flight, not the OPs actual flight from Naples to Hamburg so compensation could apply here as a knock on.
Try putting your details, including both flights into an online checker, such as Botts.

markhod

Thanks - yes Botts said I should get compensation in this case. So I have sent off a template letter myself, following the MSE websites advice. Eurowings say it will take up to 4 weeks to respond.