Flight misconnection - Claiming compensation from foreign airline

taless

Hi, 2 weeks ago I flew from London Heathrow to Malaysia using Etihad Airways, a U.A.E. based carrier. On the Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur leg, my flight was delayed for 4 hours, apparently due to Economy class passengers overbooking and 'too many' passengers were on board. They sorted it after 40 mins, but as a result, it is beyond the airport's curfew time, hence a 4 hour delay until the airport reopens.

Due to the delay, I could not meet my connecting flight on a Low Cost Carrier Airline from Kuala Lumpur, which was originally booked 3 hr 50 mins away from the scheduled arrival. At Abu Dhabi, the ground staff helped me make an alternative booking (just to place the hold on the seats) to my destination, but asked me to pay for the flights first upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur, then reclaim compensation from them. She gave me their Guest Affairs e-mail, which is an U.A.E. based e-mail (ending with .ae) I have their booking confirmation, but unfortunately, I couldn't get her to write me a 'We will definitely compensate you' - just word of mouth, which I know can be a bit weak - my mistake.

When I reached my destination, I e-mailed them together with all the documents (receipts etc.). However, I still haven't heard from them, or even receive a "Read Receipt" from them (a feature of MS Outlook). I'm starting to be concerned, as the airline does seem to have a problem in replying to e-mails (my previous e-mail to the airline, not on this 'given' e-mail though, was also unanswered).

I'm planning to send a registered letter to their London office upon arrival back to the UK. And if they refuse to compensate, I'm thinking of going to the Small Claims Court.

I was wondering, is the law on my side on this matter - or is it on theirs? Will they claim that the 'problem' occured at U.A.E. hence it isn't their London office's problem? Will I be better off dealing with the U.A.E. Head Office directly - but that means more postage etc. and also no way of pursuing it legally? (I am not going to launch an international battle for a sum of about 105 pounds!)

Any comments are much welcomed. Thanks!!

d4n13773

As your onward travel was booked with a "low cost carrier" it would seem that you were not booked on a "through-ticket" to your final destination. If this is the case the first airline (Eithad) will have no liabilty for your onward travel or missed connection.

I would imagine that the only way you could claim back the expense would be through travel insurance.

taless

Thanks D4n13773.

Someone else (my friends) also mentioned to me I may have a difficulty in claiming, due to the through ticket issue.

However, is there really no other way for me to seek recourse? I did not have any travel insurance for my flights. I couldn't help but feel absolutely disappointed that £105 just got into the bin like that - I'm a student and this money is hard to come by.

Any suggestions are most welcome. Thanks!

blue_haddock

I'm sure if you read their T's & C's you will find that unless you had the connecting flight booked as an official connection you will find that they have no liability for your missed flight.

I think a phone call to the london office may be worthwhile but even then you would probably only get a discount on further bookings rather than cash back. If the London office give you no joy i would give it up as a lost cause.

dmg24

Agree with the others. This is the purpose of travel insurance.

pboae

A lot of travel insurance policies don't cover connecting flights/missed departure either. You need to check the small print.

dmg24

pboae wrote: »

A lot of travel insurance policies don't cover connecting flights/missed departure either. You need to check the small print.

Some do, there was a recent discussion on the Travel Board about it. However, all would require that you leave a reasonable time between flights, and what constitutes a reasonable time depends on the individual circumstances.