EU passenger charter

[ozzy72]

Well a small victory for we passengers against the lying theiving big air companies (read British Midland/British Airways whom I'll never use again after my last encounters with each!). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4598786.stm

[Hagar]

Well a small victory for we passengers against the lying theiving big air companies (read British Midland/British Airways whom I'll never use again after my last encounters with each!).

That's all very well & I'm inclined to agree where BA is concerned but from what I can see this will hit the budget airlines hardest. As with most of this EU legislation I can only see it resulting in increased fares so the consumer (passenger) loses again.

[Craig.]

In my opinion the levels of compensation should be based on the factors of inconvenience not a set amount. If you miss a flight through the fault of the airline but are booked on another within 2 hours, you get a meal voucher.

[ozzy72]

I have to say after British Midlands double booking every seat on my flight and then trying to refuse me compensation for having to wait 24 hours for the next possible flight (they refused to try and get me on another plane for Budapest) that anything that gets up their nose is fine by me.
I feel that delays due to weather or technical reasons are acceptable and people do have to put up with that but being fannied around by incompetence should be compensated.

[Hagar]

I want to see weather delay rules changed. This is a major get out of jail free card for airlines, and is unfair in my opinion.

Back in the late 60s when my group had a regular gig at Gatwick Manor we often had a full airliner load of passengers booked in for a full 3 course meal followed by an evening's entertainment when a flight had been delayed at nearby Gatwick Airport. They were also booked into a local hotel overnight, all free of charge. I wonder if this happens now.

[ozzy72]

I seriously doubt it Doug...

[Craig.]

Airlines have to pay out for mechanical delays. But dont have to for weather as it is not fault of the airline. Some will provide a discounted option for hotel rooms. But most dont.

[Hagar]

Airlines have to pay out for mechanical delays. But dont have to for weather as it is not fault of the airline. Some will provide a discounted option for hotel rooms. But most dont.

To be fair that doesn't seem unreasonable. It's what the insurance companies call an 'Act of God' so unless you had special insurance to cover it they wouldn't pay out either.

[Alphajet_Enthusiast]

Lets hope that they delay my next flight...  ;D

[Hagar]

[quote]Lets hope that they delay my next flight...

[eno]

I'm all for this ....... especially when they overbook aircraft and then expect the innocent punter, who has booked in good faith and arrived on time to be inconvenienced.

The best overbooking story I've heard was a friend of mine crossing the Atlantic to JFK. He was asked if he would mind waiting for the next flight as there was an overbooking. He agreed and was paid compensation he was put on the next available flight ...... on Concorde. He arrived hours before the 747 he should have been on, which added half a day to his trip and he had the extra spending money for it too.