Flight Change Rights

Ben1989

Hi all.

We booked a flight to USA for June. It’s Manchester to Heathrow to Philadelphia with British Airways.

The original flight was 11:40 Manchester to Heathrow, then 14:30 Heathrow to Philadelphia. 

They cancelled the departing flights and rebooked us on 7:00 Manchester to Heathrow, then 10:30 Heathrow to Philadelphia.

We’ll have a 4 year old and we purposely booked the later flight so she’d be manageable and having slept okay etc. I am also British so I will need to be at the airport 4 hours before the flight as there’s a lot they need to sort to get me on the flight and evidence that needs presenting to an immigration officer to prove that I’m allowed to visit. This will mean we’ll need to be at the airport at 3am.

There is a Manchester to Heathrow flight the day before at 14:40 that we’d like to take to ease the burden and stay at a hotel (i.e layover). Do we have a right to change this without impeding costs etc?

I’d also like to know do we have a right for this not to count as ‘a change’ as we’re only allowed one change with their ‘book with confidence’ policy. We need to keep this in case we can’t go suddenly, get covid prior to flight etc .

many thanks

Westin

I’d approach BA with a conciliatory tone rather than “I know my rights”. The call centre handler is human and believe or not most will be happy to help and do what they can.  I feel sure with the right dialogue in polite manner that BA would accommodate your request to move the MAN LHR sector to the day especially if you mentioning your four year old.  Presumably you are okay with  own hotel out around Heathrow?  

Ben1989

Oh yes I’m a firm believer in being nice, it’s something I believe is the only way to get the best outcome of things. Plus, as you say, they’re human and I speak to people how I’d like to be spoken to.

I just wanted to know if I had any rights to request this outside of it being a goodwill gesture?

I’m struggling to get through at the moment as their Indian call centre is closed due to covid.

Yes we’re staying over at the Marriott near Heathrow. It has a pool to entertain our daughter etc 

bagand96

As your flight has been cancelled, you have the right to accept their alternative, or cancel for a refund.  However I'm not sure that's what you want, as it wouldn't be any better for you as you intend to travel.

The re-booking is automated and the system generally puts you on the nearest timings with the shortest connection which is what's happened here.  I agree with @Westin just explain to BA why the new itinerary doesn't work and simply ask if they would put you on the flight the night before.  As long as you're not expecting them to cough up for the accommodation at Heathrow then hopefully they'll do it no qualms.

Sandtree

Ben1989 said:

 I am also British so I will need to be at the airport 4 hours before the flight as there’s a lot they need to sort to get me on the flight and evidence that needs presenting to an immigration officer to prove that I’m allowed to visit. 

Sorry to disappoint but there are no USA immigration officers in the UK and you don't go through UK immigration to leave the UK.

The airline check in staff in theory should be checking that you have the right to enter your destination country as its their cost to repatriate you if you get there and are denied entry. Most the time its a very cursory question or two at best, though in current climate it may be a touch more (though wasn't for our last trip).

If you call BA they'll allow you to change the flight under their current promises, though to be honest the chances of the USA having opened its borders to non-citizens flying from the UK by June feels fairly slim.

Ben1989

Thanks all. They have changed it me for on live chat which is great. Yes we’re paying for the Marriott ourselves.

Sandtree I should have mentioned my wife and my daughter are American so I am exempt from the current ban. I know I have to bring my marriage certificate to prove my relationship and my ESTA will be reinstated. I imagined I’d have to speak to an immigration officer or something similar