What Rights for 12 Hours Long Transit ?

amizaki

Hi All,

I booked our summer holiday in Asia by Gulf Air. On return journey there is a 12 hours long transit at Bahrain International Airport. I heard Airlines provide free accommodation and meal for more than 6/8 hours transit, unless any earlier flight available. But, after I confirmed my tickets, Gulf Air saying though they don't have any earlier flight, they will not offer free accommodation. They will charge $55 each passenger for stop over service which will include hotel, meal etc.


Instead of providing free accommodation during long transit, can they charge passenger ? What International Airline law says about this ? I searched google, but couldn't find any accurate answer.


Will be very helpful, if any experienced member can tell me what the international aviation law says.

Thank you in advance !

jpsartre

There are no rights aside from what the airline offers. Hotel acommodation during long layovers is purely a goodwill gesture by the airline.

EveryWhere

amizaki wrote: »

Hi All,

I booked our summer holiday in Asia by Gulf Air. On return journey there is a 12 hours long transit at Bahrain International Airport. I heard Airlines provide free accommodation and meal for more than 6/8 hours transit, unless any earlier flight available. But, after I confirmed my tickets, Gulf Air saying though they don't have any earlier flight, they will not offer free accommodation. They will charge $55 each passenger for stop over service which will include hotel, meal etc.


Instead of providing free accommodation during long transit, can they charge passenger ? What International Airline law says about this ? I searched google, but couldn't find any accurate answer.


Will be very helpful, if any experienced member can tell me what the international aviation law says.

Thank you in advance !

Indeed you chose the flight with a long stopover. The difference would be if they moved you to that flight from another.

eDicky

amizaki wrote: »

I heard Airlines provide free accommodation and meal for more than 6/8 hours transit, unless any earlier flight available.

What you heard is not correct, unless caused by flight delay or cancellation, or perhaps a special offer by an airline (which I don't think I've ever encountered).

jpsartre

eDicky wrote: »

What you heard is not correct, unless caused by flight delay or cancellation, or perhaps a special offer by an airline (which I don't think I've ever encountered).

Some airlines do offer free overnight accommodation during transit if needed.

EveryWhere

jpsartre wrote: »

Some airlines do offer free overnight accommodation during transit if needed.

Did so with Sri Lankan a couple of times. Of course one should check before booking.

Sharon87

Never heard that before. Long layovers mean you usually pay for your own hotel. Unless there's delays that causes a long layover/delay to your flight.

For you $55 for hotel and meal is good value! I would take it if i were you. Can't get that if you book it separately I'm guessing.

I have found a good website if you have a day layover - dayuse.co.uk - a room where you can book rooms during the day. Times vary with each hotel though

Voyager2002

Free hotels and refreshments during long stopovers are often offered to passengers who buy the more expensive tickets (full economy and such-like). At one time they were mandated by the same IATA regulations that forbade airlines to sell cheap tickets.

Caz3121

amizaki wrote: »

They will charge $55 each passenger for stop over service which will include hotel, meal etc.

how does that compare to purchasing a hotel, meal independently? You don't have to take their deal, you could book your own.
What were your original plans when choosing a 12 hour stopover?
As has been said there is no right to a free hotel although some airlines do provide

mattyprice4004

Why would you book the flight if unhappy with the layover? They don’t have to provide anything, you chose that flight.

There’s no limit to what they can charge you as they have no obligations at all - their $55 deal is a bargain, I’d do that.

:beer:

amizaki

Couple of factors...

As far I heard from my friends & colleagues, they had free STPC (Stop over paid by carrier) from Emirates, Oman airlines...So, I thought Gulf Air will do same.


I also thought if they don't provide I will stay at airport lounge or hotel. But, later found Bahrain International Airport is a very small airport, they don't have hotel inside airport, they have lounge but they are very expensive £220 for 3 hours. So, I am in very odd situation.


Gulf air provide STPC for free only for Business & First Class passengers. And, for economy customers they charge $55 for the service, which is to be honest cheap after I checked hotel, meals, transports, visa fee altogether.

It was my bad, I should check more details about the gulf air as I never fly with them before and Bahrain Airport before confirmed the tickets.

Anyway, there are few months left before we fly, so I will try again with them...otherwise, have to pay $130 for 2 Adult & 2 Children....

Thank you very much for all your replies..