Cyprus Airways - money by deception?

[BRUpax]

Last month I travelled CY BRU-LCA-BRU in C class. The Cyprus A320 had a dedicated C class section with leather seats in a 3x2 config. Satisfied with my experience I chose CY again for my trip this month. To my chagrin I got an Eurocypria A320 both ways. The C class section comprised of normal Y class seats in a 3x3 config. This did not comply with what CY promise C class pax on their website. Did they obtain my money by deception? What do you think?

[World Traveller]

Hi,

1-did they fill the 3x3 seats, or leave the middle seat free? If the former, it is money by deception, if the latter then I think that is/was common practice before these funky adjustable seats were invented.

2-Business class in Europe is a con. At least in the States they have genuinely bigger seats.....

Regards, World Traveller (the place to sit!).

[BRUpax]

The middle seat was not allocated. The point though is that they put on an aircraft from their charter subsidiary which did not provide the type of cabin, seats and configuration advertised by CY. Yes I agree that C class is a con on many carriers unless they provide a dedicated C class cabin and seating. CY do - except when they substitute a Eurocypria a/c for one of their own. I was willing to accept this one way, but to find that it was the same a/c allocated BRU the following week pi**ed me off no end (It's my money, not the firm's).

[ExSimGuy]

Never flown business class with CY, so I can't help on this one; but I have flown quite a few sectors with them in "cattle" and have to say that they will probably never be up to "top ten" in the airline world, they always gave me the impression of a nice "family" operation and cabin service always friendly and welcoming - more than can be said for some of the big European and USA carriers - even though the latter have big comfy seats in Business :)

------------------
What goes around . . .
. . often lands better!

[World Traveller]

But aren't most European C classes not just Y class cabins, but with seats that adjust from 3+3 to 2+3 and a flimsy curtain in the middle? Are the CY C class seats actually fixed in 2+3? If anything I would guess that ECA method of not using the middle seat would give the average pax more room, particularly on the 3 side?

World Traveller

[BRUpax]

You just don't know what you're going to get in Europe when travelling Business Class. There's no standardisation. The adjustable seats do provide a wider seat, however, you may not always get an improved seat pitch. Some companies, such as British Midland, will even allocate the middle seats of a 3+3 C class cabin (with Y class seats). Generally I will only fly Business Class at my expense when the flight time exceeds 3 hours - but only if the carrier offers dedicated Business Class seats with a comfortable seat pitch. I don't mind the 2+3 adjustable type of seats.

[This message has been edited by BRUpax (edited 24 June 2001).]

[Icarus]

I think you will probably find somewhere in the carriers' Conditions of carriage, that they can substitute their aircraft with that of another carriers if necessary. They fulfilled their end of the bargain (ha ha) so to speak by carrying you from BRU to LCA.
If you are dissatisfied with the service, then a letter of (reasonably strong) complaint maybe the only way to get something back if that is what you are after.
Otherwise, vote with your feet.

[Pdub]

Icarus, if you look closer i think you'll find that the conditions of carriage state that they will get you from A to B. they fulfill their end of the bargain , if they stick you on a bus - in theory.

Mind you like to be on a bus that could get from Cyprus ;)

[World Traveller]

In fact I think the standard IATA plate states the carrier 'will make every reasonable effort' (or words to that effect) to get you to your destination 'within reasonable dispatch' (or something, i.e. hopefully on time), so they do not even guarantee you getting there!

World Traveller (window seat)

[BRUpax]

Ah yes but my beef is not about getting me there, it's about getting e there under false pretences. I paid a higer fare for a better class of cabin as advertised by the airline. They fulfiiled their contract in getting me there but they did not provide the Business Class cabin as advertised. If you book a 5 star hotel with a tour operator and you end up in a three star, would you be satisfied? After all, they fulfilled their contract in providing you with accommodation!

[World Traveller]

Sorry BRUPax I was referred to Pdub above,a nd not your original comment!

[Cyrano]

BRUpax:

The website doesn't form part of the contract between the carrier and you (see also the legal disclaimers on the CY website).

Concluding that this was "false pretences" and "deception" (implying malicious action on the airline's part) seems a bit harsh unless there's further evidence. Could it not be that - for example - one of their regular A320s went tech and had to be replaced with a Eurocypria one?

(I note from the website that only the A320s seem to have the upgraded business class. If they'd switched the aircraft to an A310 (e.g. for extra capacity on a busy day), it would have had older C class seats, but I don't think you could make a claim of "false pretences" stick there either.)

On European C class flights, I always reason that most of the extra cost of the ticket is "spent" as I step onto the plane, i.e. my company's extra £££ went towards buying flexibility to change or cancel the ticket, and once I'm on the plane I can't expect too much more value over Y class. And sadly in Europe that's generally true.

Better luck next time...

[BRUpax]

Sadly, Cyrano, you are correct.

It's a pity that the airlines don't cater for the pax who, for the extra comfort, want to fly Business Class at their own expense. For me, when on medium to long haul leisure travel, it's comfort and not ticket flexibility which takes precedence. After 30 odd years of the hassles and traumas of staff travel (seen it all - done it all) my wife and I now choose to PAY (!!!) for peace of mind and comfort. We choose airlines that can fulfill our requirements. When they fail to provide what they advertise I think that I am justified to feel short changed.

[BRUpax]

I forgot to mention that the ECA A320 in question is actually part of the CYP fleet at the present time. It wasn't a tech substitution.

[Evanelpus]

I have flown in a ECA 320 on a charter flight from Luton to Papthos.

No TV screens or any form of in-flight entertainment, unless you call watching the wagon dragons spilling drinks entertainment.

They looked very dated as well.

[cardomumT]

BRUpax
Equipment change intra-fleet and externally is not uncommon, many reasons neccessitate this from time to time as I'm sure you know. However, this does not affect your rights. Segregating J or C class pax in Y class seating does not meet the criteria for the fare you purchased, you were what's known as 'involuntarily downgraded'and are entitled to the fare difference between C and Y, This is standard IATA practise to which CY have not excempted themselves. Most carriers also offer downgrade compensation as away of apologising for the inconvienience, C class is high yield traffic and carriers usually like to protect that. Suggest you contact the nearest local CY sales office and request your entitlement.

[BRUpax]

Thanks for the info CardomumT.