Flight Compensation

[Redhelen72]

I booked a flight with BA but it was operated by Aer Lingus, the flight was cancelled 2 minutes before take off and I was rebooked on another flight 15 hours later - as I was in my home city I cabbed it home.
However I was under the impression that I was entitled to some compensation as the flight was cancelled less than 2 hours before take off, but Aer Lingus say they cannot give me a refund as I had already had a replacement flight - but that is not my understanding.

Can anyone help out?

[DTCwordfan]

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/if-your-flights-delayed-or-cancelled/

[DTCwordfan]

comes down to whether it was their fault or an act of him upstairs......have they said what caused the delay?

[Redhelen72]

no - we were not given any information at all other than to make our way to the desk to rebook

I read on the net that they have to provide compensation if you are later than 2 hours to your destination - but I am not sure if they have to pay if they provide 'free of charge' an alternative flight.

I have contacted the airline and they said they could not find the booking!!

[DTCwordfan]

do you have your boarding card etc?

[Redhelen72]

Yes and provided it to them.
I will await their next response

[DTCwordfan]

as I read it, it's two hours and you are entitled to compensation for a delay at either end......
as per:

'If you do take the flight
You can claim up to £520 in compensation if the delay is the airline’s fault - depending on the distance and destination of your flight, and how late it arrived. It might have been your airline's fault if there was a technical problem, or they overbooked.

You’re unlikely to get compensation if the delay was because of something outside the airline’s control, like bad weather or a security risk.

If your flight is cancelled
You have the legal right to either:

a full refund - including other flights from the airline that you won’t use in the same booking such as onward or return flights
a replacement flight to get you to your destination
If you’re part-way through a journey and you don’t want a replacement flight, you also have a right to a flight back to the airport you originally departed from.

Ask for a refund or replacement at the airport if you can. If not, you can claim from the airline later.

You also have a legal right to:

help with costs - if the cancellation delays you 2 or more hours
compensation - if you’d be delayed 2 or more hours by the replacement flight offered and you were given less than 2 weeks' notice
If you get a replacement flight
If you have to wait long enough for your replacement flight, the airline legally has to help you with things you need. This includes:

food and drink
access to phone calls and emails
accommodation if you’re delayed overnight, as well as journeys between the airport and the hotel
How long the delay has to be depends on the distance of the flight and the countries it's flying between. You can check the flight distance on the WebFlyer website.

Flight distance How long the delay has to be
Less than 1,500km 2 hours
Between 1,500km and 3,500km 3 hours
More than 3,500km 4 hours

The airline might give you vouchers to get these things at the airport. Ask someone who works for the airline if you’re not offered anything.

If they don’t give you help at the airport, keep receipts for your expenses and try to claim from the airline later. Airlines only pay for ‘reasonable’ expenses - you are unlikely to get money back for alcohol, expensive meals or luxury hotels.'

[DTCwordfan]

well that's 'interesting' if they have lost your booking and I would give them holy crap about security......especially being Ireland.

[Redhelen72]

I sent them a load more information this morning it will be interesting to see their response

[bednobs]

so from dtcs stuff, you dont get a refund but can claim essential stuff like your cab

[Redhelen72]

Bednobs

I thought that if the delay was 2 hours or more before you got to your destination then you are entitled to compensation?
Mine was 15 hours

How long the delay has to be depends on the distance of the flight and the countries it's flying between. You can check the flight distance on the WebFlyer website.

Flight distance How long the delay has to be
Less than 1,500km 2 hours

[DTCwordfan]

I'm really surprised by Aer Lingus arguing over this - they have a pretty good reputation for service from check-in to landing - always enjoyed my flights with them.....