bmi baby

[sophie_1003]

has anyone else had a bad experience flying with bmi baby? was meant to leave portugal at 8.15pm yesterday but flight got delayed for four hours before finally being cancelled, were sent to stop at a hotel for the night, got to room at about 1.30am (admittedly very nice, 5 star) and got picked up this morning at half 11, got to airport for 12, got on plane for 1.20 sat there for another hour before we actually took off! Obviously these things happen but there was a complete lack of information and we didnt get given any food or water until we had breakfast at 9 at the hotel. Still when we got on the plane they didn't give out any complimentary water and eventually came round with coffee, tea and hot chocolate (the chocolate ran out, what's there for the kids??) and still no food, unless we paid for yesterdays sandwiches! Mainly just wanted a bit of a rant but was also wondering if we have a leg to stand on regarding compensation?

[Buenchico]

Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament, you have the right to receive �250 compensation for the cancellation of a flight of less than 1500km or �400 compensation for a flight of more than 1500km. The only exception is where the airline "can prove that the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken":
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ .do?uri=CELEX:32004R0261:EN:HTML
(See Articles 5 & 7)

You should also have been provided with "meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time". (See Article 9). If this provision was not met, you might have the right to claim additional compensation.

This site states that Porto is 1322km from London but Lisbon is 1585km, so the amount of compensation you're entitled to (if any) might be either �250 or �400 (possibly plus additional compensation for the lack of food), depending upon the exact start and finish points of your journey:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distance s.html?n=136

Chris

[billearly]

Hi sophie, From what I have seen on TV this morning I would think the delay was due to the extreme weather in England.

[billearly]

Also lucky you to have a 5 star hotel for the night.I don't think any of the cheap airlines are keen to give away anything free.

[sophie_1003]

apparently the delay was because one of the computers wasn't working, the local engineer couldn't fix it so they flew in an engineer and new computer from england but that took over night! thanks for the advice regarding compensation, i think my mums writing a letter on behalf of the whole family so hopefully get something back!