Cancelled flight

Sally-Lou

Our flight BA flight to Tampa was cancelled 5 hours before we were due to depart (we were driving to the airport when the email and text came), due to operational constraints.

We were automatically booked onto a flight the next day from a different airport, going via another city.  Which would have taken 16 hours and meant more taxi fares.

The telephone number we were given by BA had a recorded message that said they were busy and to call back later, then the line went dead.

We were able to contact BA via another another telephone number and were able to change our flight to Orlando on the same day 2 hours after our original flight.

I am looking for advice as to whether or not we are able to claim compensation for the cancellation, as we were able to get to the USA the same day, just later than planned and we changed to a different destination. 

Our group were told different things by different cabin crew.

We have been told that the flight was cancelled as there was only 50 people booked onto the flight.

Thank you in advance.

Hoenir

Sally-Lou said:

I am looking for advice as to whether or not we are able to claim compensation for the cancellation, as we were able to get to the USA the same day, just later than planned and we changed to a different destination. 

What are you seeking financial compensation for? 

Sally-Lou

We were told by ground staff to claim
compensation for the late cancellation and the stress caused. 

eskbanker

Sally-Lou said:

Our flight BA flight to Tampa was cancelled 5 hours before we were due to depart (we were driving to the airport when the email and text came), due to operational constraints.

[...]

I am looking for advice as to whether or not we are able to claim compensation for the cancellation, as we were able to get to the USA the same day, just later than planned and we changed to a different destination. 

It'll come down to what "operational constraints" actually means here, and in particular whether or not it qualifies as extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control, which negates their obligation to pay compensation.  If, for example, it relates to restricted air traffic control slot availability that day then the airline isn't liable, but if it was, say, airline staff shortages, or low bookings (do you have any evidence of that?) then that's different, so you may need to push BA for meaningful detail.

There is an exemption to the cancellation compensation provision that denies it if you were rerouted on a flight that got you to your final destination within two hours of the originally scheduled time, but if you only landed at Orlando two hours later then you obviously wouldn't have made it to Tampa instantaneously!

Hoenir said:

What are you seeking financial compensation for? 

Compensation, in the context of the UK261 flight cancellation/delay regulations, isn't associated with reimbursement of specific losses (although some out of pocket expenses can also be recovered too) but is simply a fixed tariff payment (by distance bandings), reflecting inconvenience, etc.

marcia_

Hoenir said:

Sally-Lou said:

I am looking for advice as to whether or not we are able to claim compensation for the cancellation, as we were able to get to the USA the same day, just later than planned and we changed to a different destination. 

What are you seeking financial compensation for? 

 No need to need compensation for a specific thing. Compensation is due if flights are late etc. 

jimi_man

Hi. 

As has been said UK261 compensation depends on the reasons for cancellation. The usual one they is not covered is ATC restrictions (weather essentially), however 'operational constraints', from experience is generally covered and often covers things like crew shortage etc. 

In terms of whether you are entitled to it, the rules are a little complex. It says that in the event of cancellation under seven days (yours was five hours), and you are offered a re route which arrives at your final destination more than two hours after your scheduled arrival time then it's in scope. 

From the sound of it as you went to Orlando instead of Tampa, it would definitely have been two hours after, so I would definitely claim.

(Edit, similar to what has been said above - didn't see it!)