Tricky flight delay compensation question

firetaz

My partner and I have just returned from our TUI holiday (Emirates flights) and we had an issue on the outbound leg of the journey.  The original itinerary was Glasgow to Dubai, a one and a half hour layover, then Dubai to Mauritius.  Our 1st flight take-off was delayed by about 45 minutes which resulted in us not being able to make the 2nd flight (booked onto a subsequent flight while still mid-air on the first flight).  Given the size of the aircraft and where we were seated on it, even if we were on time, I doubt we would have been able to disembark and get to the next departure gate in time but that's a question for TUI to answer probably.

The knock-on delay meant that we missed a full day of sunshine at our resort (kind of the whole point of going there), arriving in the early evening (absolutely knackered).  Would we be entitled to compensation as the delay meant that we arrived approximately seven and a half hours later than originally booked?  Thanks in advance.

Westin

Why was the EK GLA DXB leg delayed?

firetaz

Westin said:

Why was the EK GLA DXB leg delayed?

It was already delayed by 20-30 mins when we arrived at the airport I think. Don't remember a reason being given.  Think there was maybe an issue elsewhere that took us up to the 45 minute mark. (May have been medical issue on another plane - can't remember).

eskbanker

firetaz said:

My partner and I have just returned from our TUI holiday (Emirates flights) and we had an issue on the outbound leg of the journey.  The original itinerary was Glasgow to Dubai, a one and a half hour layover, then Dubai to Mauritius.  Our 1st flight take-off was delayed by about 45 minutes which resulted in us not being able to make the 2nd flight (booked onto a subsequent flight while still mid-air on the first flight).  Given the size of the aircraft and where we were seated on it, even if we were on time, I doubt we would have been able to disembark and get to the next departure gate in time but that's a question for TUI to answer probably.

Did you discuss your situation with Emirates at the time?  The implication is that you assumed you'd miss the connection and unilaterally decided to book another flight, but it's the airline's responsibility to rebook you if you miss a connection in this scenario, and they may even have been able to prioritise you from one gate to another at DXB, as they'll often have to deal with this sort of thing, given the amount of transit traffic through there....

Caz3121

it is the reason for the delay that will determine whether any compensation is due or not.
you could always submit a claim and see what response comes back

firetaz

eskbanker said:

firetaz said:

My partner and I have just returned from our TUI holiday (Emirates flights) and we had an issue on the outbound leg of the journey.  The original itinerary was Glasgow to Dubai, a one and a half hour layover, then Dubai to Mauritius.  Our 1st flight take-off was delayed by about 45 minutes which resulted in us not being able to make the 2nd flight (booked onto a subsequent flight while still mid-air on the first flight).  Given the size of the aircraft and where we were seated on it, even if we were on time, I doubt we would have been able to disembark and get to the next departure gate in time but that's a question for TUI to answer probably.

Did you discuss your situation with Emirates at the time?  The implication is that you assumed you'd miss the connection and unilaterally decided to book another flight, but it's the airline's responsibility to rebook you if you miss a connection in this scenario, and they may even have been able to prioritise you from one gate to another at DXB, as they'll often have to deal with this sort of thing, given the amount of transit traffic through there....

We didn't get the chance to assume a missed connection.  When we landed at Dubai, we were told we had already been moved onto the later flight without consultation. We were shuttled to a local hotel for four hours then shuttled back for the next flight.

eskbanker

Ah right, thought you meant that you booked onto the later flight rather than you were booked onto it by someone else!

As I understand it the minimum connecting time at Dubai is an hour, so Emirates won't allow a through booking with a tighter connection than that, and TUI won't diverge from that.

bagand96

firetaz said:
 Given the size of the aircraft and where we were seated on it, even if we were on time, I doubt we would have been able to disembark and get to the next departure gate in time but that's a question for TUI to answer probably.

That's not a question for TUI. They booked on a valid Emirates ticket. All airports have Minimum Connection Time (MCT). If Emirates issued the tickets then the itinerary met the Dubai MCT.

When booked on a single ticket the airline does have an obligation to get you to your final destination which Emirates did by rebooking you as well as providing a hotel.

You may be entitled to flight delay compensation (for the delayed arrival) from Emirates but it would depend on the reason for the delay. A medical issue meaning you couldn't depart might be deemed as extraordinary circumstances.

Package Holiday Regulations/TUI T&Cs may allow for compensation in the event of loss of holiday but it's unlikely to kick in for 7.5 hours. 

Westin

EK giving you use of a hotel for 4hrs was a nice touch. Not sure many other airlines would have done this.