Airline Advice

Rocker86

Hi, I am looking for a bit of help and advice on a travel issue. I booked business class flights (having saved and as a wee treat) from Dublin to Dallas through Booking.com (Airline on booking was Aer Lingus, but flight was actually going to be operated by American Airlines). Seats were picked and confirmed well in advance of travel. On the second last night in U.S, I received a call from American Airlines that Business class was oversubscribed for this flight, and would I accept $400 American Airline voucher and a seat in economy, I declined and thought no more of it ( I have seen plenty of things on twitter about people saying hold out for a higher offer anyway). Check in opened the next day, and when I went to check in, my seat had been removed from my booking, and we were unable to check in. Cue a frantic night of phone calls to American Airlines to try and get this sorted, long story short, they gave me another seat in business class, but charged me $520 to “reissue the tickets”. In desperation, I paid it, and thought I would chase it up when I was home. Contacted booking, who have basically washed their hands of it and been super unhelpful (will definitely not use them again), American Airlines responded quickly and advised that its Aer Lingus I need to take this up with. I am awaiting Aer Lingus to respond (3 days so far). Does anyone know of any stat bodies who can advise on what my rights are? Or has anyone had a similar experience? Booking is not ABTA registered, Aer Lingus are, American Airlines are not.

eskbanker

I can't see why an Irish airline would be a member of a British travel agents' trade association, but https://www.iaa.ie/consumer-protection/air-passenger-rights is the Irish aviation regulator, so escalate to them if Aer Lingus don't reimburse your additional costs paid to obtain what you'd already paid for.

Baz-n-Kaz

Hi, I am wondering if anyone has some advice on claiming compensation for "denied boarding" with Aer Lingus. Four months ago my party of 4 flew from Manchester to Chicago with Aer Lingus which required a change at Dublin Airport as part of the whole ticket. The late Aer Lingus flight from Manchester meant we missed the Aer Lingus from Dublin so the airline provided us with a hotel for the night. It's a shame as the connecting flight was at the terminal when we landed but they would not let us on and so it scuppered our plans in Chicago. I claimed on Aer Lingus and have a case number but in the last 3 months they have ignored all my requests for an update or settlement. I am getting friendly with  Erin the Virtual Assistant but she's becoming a bit of a bore, repeating herself every time I request an update. I also wrote to the CEO, Mrs Embleton a week ago but again I have been blanked. The UK Aviation Authority said I would have to seek help from the Irish Aviation Authority because the incident happened in Ireland. The Irish AA say that since Brexit, my claim is not covered by EU Regulation 261 as the start and end of my journey was outside of the EU. So I went back to the UK Aviation Authority to ask if my case is not covered by UK Regulation 261. I await their response but they have already palmed me off to the Irish Authority so it feels like I am in a perpetual loop. Two points of advice are sought, 1) If I am eligible for compensation then would it be under UK Regulation 261?, and; 2) If Aer Lingus continue to give me the silent treatment would my next move be the UK small claims court? 

Caz3121

what was the reason for the delay from Manchester?
was this definitely Aer Lingus operated rather than Emerald Airlines? - they operate the smaller aircraft on behalf of Aer Lingus

mdann52

Baz-n-Kaz said:

Hi, I am wondering if anyone has some advice on claiming compensation for "denied boarding" with Aer Lingus. Four months ago my party of 4 flew from Manchester to Chicago with Aer Lingus which required a change at Dublin Airport as part of the whole ticket. The late Aer Lingus flight from Manchester meant we missed the Aer Lingus from Dublin so the airline provided us with a hotel for the night. It's a shame as the connecting flight was at the terminal when we landed but they would not let us on and so it scuppered our plans in Chicago. I claimed on Aer Lingus and have a case number but in the last 3 months they have ignored all my requests for an update or settlement. I am getting friendly with  Erin the Virtual Assistant but she's becoming a bit of a bore, repeating herself every time I request an update. I also wrote to the CEO, Mrs Embleton a week ago but again I have been blanked. The UK Aviation Authority said I would have to seek help from the Irish Aviation Authority because the incident happened in Ireland. The Irish AA say that since Brexit, my claim is not covered by EU Regulation 261 as the start and end of my journey was outside of the EU. So I went back to the UK Aviation Authority to ask if my case is not covered by UK Regulation 261. I await their response but they have already palmed me off to the Irish Authority so it feels like I am in a perpetual loop. Two points of advice are sought, 1) If I am eligible for compensation then would it be under UK Regulation 261?, and; 2) If Aer Lingus continue to give me the silent treatment would my next move be the UK small claims court? 

Yes compensation is under UK261. The court where you would need to commence action is likely the UK court, but if it's an airline with no UK address or presence, the court process can be more difficult

mcrterry

Baz-n-Kaz said:

Hi, I am wondering if anyone has some advice on claiming compensation for "denied boarding" with Aer Lingus. Four months ago my party of 4 flew from Manchester to Chicago with Aer Lingus which required a change at Dublin Airport as part of the whole ticket. The late Aer Lingus flight from Manchester meant we missed the Aer Lingus from Dublin so the airline provided us with a hotel for the night. It's a shame as the connecting flight was at the terminal when we landed but they would not let us on and so it scuppered our plans in Chicago. I claimed on Aer Lingus and have a case number but in the last 3 months they have ignored all my requests for an update or settlement. I am getting friendly with  Erin the Virtual Assistant but she's becoming a bit of a bore, repeating herself every time I request an update. I also wrote to the CEO, Mrs Embleton a week ago but again I have been blanked. The UK Aviation Authority said I would have to seek help from the Irish Aviation Authority because the incident happened in Ireland. The Irish AA say that since Brexit, my claim is not covered by EU Regulation 261 as the start and end of my journey was outside of the EU. So I went back to the UK Aviation Authority to ask if my case is not covered by UK Regulation 261. I await their response but they have already palmed me off to the Irish Authority so it feels like I am in a perpetual loop. Two points of advice are sought, 1) If I am eligible for compensation then would it be under UK Regulation 261?, and; 2) If Aer Lingus continue to give me the silent treatment would my next move be the UK small claims court? 

Was this ever resolved? I am in the same boat and waiting over six months for a response. Done the resolver suggestion with no luck there either