Reclaim Cost of Changed Flight in March

Gavogel

Hello.
I was booked on a flight with Sri Lankan Airlines from Sri Lanka to London on 25th March this year. As there was talk of closing airports and cancelling flights in various countries (and specifically in Sri Lanka), I changed my booking to an earlier flight on 20th March for fear of getting stranded there. Although Sri Lankan waived the fee for changing the flight, I had to pay almost £300 extra for the difference in the cost of the flight for the new date.
As it transpired, flights to the UK continued to operate and the airport was only closed for incoming travellers. At the time, I was not to know that, of course.
I'd like to try to reclaim this extra cost from either Sri Lankan Airlines or from my travel insurer. Does anyone have any information or experience as to the likelihood of me being successful in this?
Thank you.

bagand96

Whilst you had very good reasons for moving your flight, and what you did was very responsible, effectively you chose to move your flight.  I don't think you'll have any joy with the airline, they already waived the change fee (which they presumably didn't have to do).  You moved it because you weren't sure if the original flight would operate, you paid the fare difference as required.  Even though the original flight operated, the bottom line is it was a customer change.

It might be worth speaking with your travel insurer, you may be covered, but it will depend on your level of cover, and the dates might be critical.  From memory I think the UK FCO did advice against all travel, as well as advising UK travellers abroad to return home ASAP.  However I'm not sure what date that advice came out.  UK lockdown was announced on March 23rd, but I'm not sure of the travel advice was coincident.

Alan_Bowen

I agree with Bagand96, there is no claim against the airline, they simply did what you asked them to do, If FCO advice ha changed for Sri Lanka before the 20th, there might be a chance of claiming if you have travel disruption cover under your insurance policy, but the first thing they are going to say is "why have you left it so long" as many have a relatively short period in which to claim