Partial flight cancellation - what are my rights?

sutclimj

I am due to visit my friend in Australia in April, returning home in May. I have had it booked since last June and it is booked via Air France. I am travelling from Manchester and have to change flights in Paris and Hong Kong on the way there and Singapore and Paris on the way back. The leg of the trip between Hong Kong and Brisbane as well as Brisbane to Singapore are operated by Qantas.

I just went on to the Air France app to check when I can book in and have ben met with a message in red saying my flight from Hong Kong to Brisbane is cancelled. I have received no email or anything telling me this so if I hadn't looked on the app I wouldn't have known! This would appear to be Qantas reducing their flights due to a drop in demand because of coronavirus.

I contacted Air France and they said as I've booked through a travel agent (Expedia) that I need to contact them.

What are my rights in relation to this? What are Expedia's responsibilities? Will they book me onto another flight out of Hong Kong to Brisbane (although I can't see any others when I've looked!) or am I entitled to change the entire route at no extra cost? I am also concerned that they will do the same thing with my flight to Singapore. The entire journey was booked as one return journey flight rather than as separate flights.

I booked this so far in advance to give me plenty of time to prepare myself for it (I am autistic and it is my first time travelling alone - sod's law!!) and this has sent me in to a blind panic.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Westin

“What are my rights in relation to this?”
> An alternative flight or routing.  Or, if you really want it and the change is significant then possibly a refund.

What are Expedia's responsibilities?
> They can only pass on the rescheduling and change information that the airline gives. If you do not like the alternative you may be able to ask them to address this with the airline and pass on your requested alternative.

”Will they book me onto another flight out of Hong Kong to Brisbane (although I can't see any others when I've looked!)”
> Yes, or rather the airline’s computer system will and pass that information to Expedia.

” or am I entitled to change the entire route at no extra cost? “
> Possibly, possibly not. Within reason, perhaps to a later flight that suits you but often within the same airline alliance.

“I am also concerned that they will do the same thing with my flight to Singapore. “
> Which is why you should check your reservation frequently.


The situation is changing daily a the moment. Airlines have been cancelling and scaling back flights recently and will possibly continue to do so.  

sutclimj

Thanks for your reply.

I do check my reservations regularly as I have a tendancy to obsess when travelling anywhere!

I have contacted Expedia and they are looking into it. I was just wondering what sort of resolution I could expect or would be entitled to so this is helpful, thanks.

bagand96

Have a look at the Air France website for options for your whole route Manchester - Brisbane for your dates. Note down the option(s) that suit you best.

Air France will provide an re-route so Expedia will come back to you with an alternative. But if you have your preferred option ready then you can ask for that. 

The only slight complication here is Expedia are almost a middle man being the agent. So you have to speak to them and they have to speak to Air France. But you should get it sorted.