BA cancelled flights, Qatar haven't

santamonica2002uk

I'm supposed to be going to Australia on Friday. Outward I'm going with lufthansa - singapore -Bali where I'm staying for a few days so these flights are fine. But im returning from Perth to Edinburgh via Doha on 11th April. I booked this through BA and it's BA flight numbers I have though the flight is operated by Qatar.

Am I right in thinking I can request a full refund for this return flight from BA as they cancelled it even though Qatar haven't?

I have travel insurance but this was taken out 3 days after FCDO advice advising against all but essential travel to Qatar. Am I right in thinking if I cancel the outgoing flight beause I don't have a flight home it won't be covered by insurance and I'll just need to take the hit for that, same with accommodation I've booked? Everything was booked separately.

I've resigned myself to the fact I'd be best cancelling the whole trip, I've looked at rebooking a new flight to come home but they all seem to be going through airports in the Middle East so may very well be cancelled anyway nearer the time. Those that avoid the area are mega expensive or are taking a ridiculous amount of time with 3 or 4 changes.

Westin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6660181/ba-cancelled-flights-qatar-haven-039-t

“Am I right in thinking I can request a full refund for this return flight from BA as they cancelled it even though Qatar haven't?”

I think you will find that you are on a Qatar Airways operated flight, with a British Airways marketed code-share flight number. Why do you think that BA has cancelled the flight?

Worried_fool

There is a Facebook group called BA Complaints, and the Admin there really know their stuff and have contacts inside BA. They will help you to clarify your rights regarding your flight home, and how to secure those rights. So long as you don't cancel, BA are obliged to get you home at their expense.

There are plenty of flights on Chinese airlines between the Far East and UK. Think of the journey home as part of the holiday, with a stopover or two in interesting places. Chinese airlines can fly through Russian air space and so save a considerable amount of time, to some extent compensating for extra time waiting for connections.

santamonica2002uk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927496#Comment_81927496

BA have cancelled all flights to/from Doha until 31st May and have said a full refund can be requested. Or I can change the flight date for free but they have no available flights showing until the 25th April which is too late as I'm back at work on the 21st. I can rebook with another carrier but the cheapest one I can find avoiding the middle east is £1700 which is more than the double the price I paid

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927519#Comment_81927519

It's not a ba flight though - BA cant cancel a Qatar Airlines flight, and there are still flights available to book on Qatar from Perth to Edi on 8th April for about £500.

Dp you mean BA cancelled your ticket, not the flight? You're likely to lose the outbound flights and hotels/incidentally if you cancel - if it was me I would be travelling and get BA/Qatar to sort out the return trip.

santamonica2002uk

Got through to BA live chat. They've confirmed I'm eligible for a full refund for the flights.

Worried_fool

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927637#Comment_81927637

Do NOT accept the refund. Use the outbound, and BA are liable for the cost of your flight home if you have to book yourself on another carrier.

Caz3121

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927663#Comment_81927663

BA would NOT be responsible for the cost of an alternative flight home. Claims like this are based on the operating carrier of the affected flight…this is not a BA flight and as Qatar is a non-EU/UK airline and the affected flight would be departing from outside the EU/UK the EU/UK rights do not apply.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927637#Comment_81927637

I don't think anyone was questioning that, but you'll lose out on all your outbound flights and accommodation expenses.

Per the BA website on cancellations:

"

• You can call us to discuss if we can book you onto any other airlines, or discuss alternative transport if we are not able to provide a suitable alternative within 24 hours. "

So I would be looking at that option before getting a refund.

Grumpy_chap

Is there a "middle way"?

Take the outbound flight as planned and enjoy the holiday.

Accept BA not operating the return via Middle East and ask BA to reroute to the return the OP has identified at £1,700. Even if BA only pay some of that re-route, it might be enough to make that a viable option

jimi_man

Just to confirm, is it all one booking reference or are there two separate journeys - out and back?

If you're not bothered about going and can get a full refund of everything (out and back plus any other costs) then great, do that. If you can only get the return part refunded then I'd probably go, enjoy the trip and then leave it to the airline to get you home. If it's a QR flight then it's likely to operate so you might be unaffected. If it's cancelled by them then they need to find alternative methods to get you to your destination.

Generally accepting a refund for the flights is an absolute last resort and usually not recommended - and especially so when you're away from home since it absolves the airline from any further responsibility for you.