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Stung by EasyJet takeover of GB Airways

GaryD_2
Posts: 11 Forumite
Hi everyone,
I booked flights on GB Airways last year to Tenerife for my wife and I, and our three year old daughter. We booked with GB as the flights were in the morning (our daughter really doesn't do night flights!), and were a good price. We've also used them before, and were happy with the service.
In October we were told about the EasyJet takeover, but that the flights would be the same. So we left things as they were.
Last month we received an e-mail from GB Airways that stated very clearly that we would now be flying with EasyJet, but that the dates and times would not change. To verify this I checked the EasyJet website to see if I could see our flights, but the only ones there on that day were at crazy times - essentially night flights. I therefore called GB Airways, but they confirmed that in spite of what I could see, EasyJet would definitely be operating the service we paid for and that the e-mail was right - the dates and times would not change. We checked out the alternatives, and it would have cost us £300 to change to an alternative airline at that time, so we left things as they were.
Today I received an e-mail from EasyJet. As I suspected, we've now been 'offered' the EasyJet flights on their website... but the outbound flight would cause us to lose a day's holiday, and the return leg is a real night flight, returning the next day! I called EasyJet and they essentially said "tough... that's what we're doing, if you want a refund call BA". I couldn't get through to BA, but since we desperately needed an alternative I had to book new morning flights that were now over £400 more than the GB Airways flights.
So, I am really, really miffed. I was lied to twice by GB Airways, and now EasyJet aren't interested as my contract is with GB Airways. They will give me a flight, but not the same flight. And I am over £400 out of pocket.
Arrrgghhh!
So my questions are:
- Given that I still have a contract with BA (according to EasyJet), I will of course get a refund from them for the original flights, but as they have effectively been unable to deliver on the flight do I have a case for further compensation?
- What is the law on compensation for cancelled flights (which I believe should apply)? Is there anything I can quote?
- Is there anyone else in the same position... I am thinking that there might be strength in numbers!
Any help would be gratefully received!
Thanks,
Gary
I booked flights on GB Airways last year to Tenerife for my wife and I, and our three year old daughter. We booked with GB as the flights were in the morning (our daughter really doesn't do night flights!), and were a good price. We've also used them before, and were happy with the service.
In October we were told about the EasyJet takeover, but that the flights would be the same. So we left things as they were.
Last month we received an e-mail from GB Airways that stated very clearly that we would now be flying with EasyJet, but that the dates and times would not change. To verify this I checked the EasyJet website to see if I could see our flights, but the only ones there on that day were at crazy times - essentially night flights. I therefore called GB Airways, but they confirmed that in spite of what I could see, EasyJet would definitely be operating the service we paid for and that the e-mail was right - the dates and times would not change. We checked out the alternatives, and it would have cost us £300 to change to an alternative airline at that time, so we left things as they were.
Today I received an e-mail from EasyJet. As I suspected, we've now been 'offered' the EasyJet flights on their website... but the outbound flight would cause us to lose a day's holiday, and the return leg is a real night flight, returning the next day! I called EasyJet and they essentially said "tough... that's what we're doing, if you want a refund call BA". I couldn't get through to BA, but since we desperately needed an alternative I had to book new morning flights that were now over £400 more than the GB Airways flights.
So, I am really, really miffed. I was lied to twice by GB Airways, and now EasyJet aren't interested as my contract is with GB Airways. They will give me a flight, but not the same flight. And I am over £400 out of pocket.
Arrrgghhh!
So my questions are:
- Given that I still have a contract with BA (according to EasyJet), I will of course get a refund from them for the original flights, but as they have effectively been unable to deliver on the flight do I have a case for further compensation?
- What is the law on compensation for cancelled flights (which I believe should apply)? Is there anything I can quote?
- Is there anyone else in the same position... I am thinking that there might be strength in numbers!
Any help would be gratefully received!
Thanks,
Gary
0
Comments
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lot of people have been moaning about it, it was on watchdog last week http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/holidays_and_travel/holiday_20080123.shtml
think they said that there was no way to get compensation just the refunds,Yes Your Dukeiness0 -
Thanks for the link. Amazing!
I can't believe that they think it's OK to treat customers this way! Even if we don't get anywhere on compensation, I certainly won't be flying BA or EasyJet in the forseeable future. I wonder how many others think the same...
I've just posted more details on the watchdog site, and watched the clip of the programme. I don't think it's over yet... hopefully!0
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