Flight Cancelled, Changed Destination compensation

MaebyJade

Hi all,

Last month our return from Mexico was cancelled at the last minute. We were informed as we arrived to check in and were given the option of flying to Birmingham (instead of Manchester) or staying in a hotel until the next day to fly to Manchester. Anyway, we opted to fly to Birmingham, where we were then transported by coach to Manchester. Originally we were scheduled to arrive in Manchester at 9am but due to flying to a Birmingham we didn't arrive at Manchester Airport until just past 12pm. Anyway, question is - would I still be eligible for compensation due to the cancellation/diversion, and if so would it be the full amount or reduced? 

Thanks     

sammyjammy

No expert but I would suspect not, you took up their offer of another flight knowing when it would land and that you'd need to be transported to Manchester so you weren't delayed.  You presumably have no out of pocket expenses either.

eskbanker

If the original flight was cancelled then compensation is due unless it was "caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken" or passengers "are offered re-routing, allowing them to depart no more than one hour before the scheduled time of departure and to reach their final destination less than two hours after the scheduled time of arrival".

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2004/261/article/5

Westin

I suspect the original TUI flight was NOT cancelled but instead had a lengthy DELAY. It operated the following day.

Rather than wait for that delayed CUN MAN flight you took up the offer of availability on a CUN BHX flight, with onward coach transportation.  

I would agree with @sammyjammy. 

MaebyJade

That's correct, it was delayed by 24hrs so we had the choice to wait for that flight or fly into Birmingham instead. I'm not expecting any compensation just thought I would ask as I wasn't sure if it would still be classed as a delay because we got to MAN at 12ish instead of 9am.

jimi_man

You were delayed more than three hours into your destination therefore you’d be entitled to compensation. However it does depend on why you were delayed/reason for cancellation. If it was weather related or ATC related (not the airline’s fault basically) then you wouldn't be entitled. 

Just because you accepted another flight doesn’t mean that you no longer get it. 

However airlines have a duty of care to look after you whether you are entitled to compensation or not so if you incurred expenses for food and drink while you were waiting then you can claim for that.