Is compensation possible?

[WHBM]

Originally Posted by ExXB

You think you should be compensated because of a snowstorm? How is this the airline’s fault?

Because your contract is with the airline, nobody else, and it is their responsibility to organise their service suppliers, like airports, to handle whatever arises adequately. Airports in some places manage OK in storms, others meekly give up, or skimped on buying the equipment, or don't know where to hire it in from. And after the event, some recover pronto, others let it drag on. It's for the airline to manage these and other incidents. They know the numbers, how many flights are typically lost, and are the ones to galvanise their suppliers.

Whenever there are LVPs at Heathrow BA is flow restricted. Their decision is always to run their entire long haul programme, even closely-following JFK departures going out half full, and cancel all the domestics. That's their commercial decision. But it's quite inappropriate to then tell the inconvenienced domestic pax that it's "unavoidable cancellation due to fog", particularly when the pax look out of the terminal window and see most departures continuing.

[wiggy]

Originally Posted by WHBM

Because your contract is with the airline, nobody else, and it is their responsibility to organise their service suppliers, like airports, to handle whatever arises adequately............"".....

Define “adequately”.....I’ve seen circumstances where a snowstorm completely overwhelmed the significant de-icing capabilities of a major North America airport. Out of interest would you accept that in that case “adequate” meant a 24 hour delay and all passengers accommodated overnight and flown to destination a day late, or in your opinion is that not good enough?

Whenever there are LVPs at Heathrow BA is flow restricted.

Firstly when LVPs are in force at LHR all airlines are subject to flow restrictions so BA (since you mentioned them) never really gained from the investment it made in installing, maintaining and keeping short Haul crew current in MLS operation....nevertheless they have to pick up the pieces when disruption due to LVPs happens...

Long haul v short haul cancellations - commercial decision yes, and one which makes sense when you consider the logistics...AAnd if passengers really are seeing lots of departures when cancellations are down to LVPs then I guess the airport and the met man might have got things wrong, not the airline.

TBH even in this day and age **** still happens, I do know some airlines service recovery/disruption handling leads a heck of a lot to be desired but to expect the operation to keep on running seamlessly in the face of snowstorms, Low Visibilities and the like simply isn’t going to happen given capacity issues at many airports and the current technology available.

[Heathrow Harry]

As many of you will know I'm not a big fan of BA etc etc but you have to be realistic

ANY FORM OF TRANSPORT CAN BE DISRUPTED

and for all but airlines you, the passenger, have no serious come-back however much it's the providers fault.

If it's important enough you go earlier - maybe an hour by train, maybe a couple of hours by road - but if it is important enough - say a wedding or meeting a cruise ship - then travel maybe a day or even two in advance

Sure it costs time and money but that's the price you pay for being sure

[Peter47]

I flew with Swiss to GVA on 21st April and the flight was delayed leaving but by less than 3hr. The slats then wouldn't retract so we returned to LHR & along with many others were put on a later flight (not the next one as I am told that my bag wouldn't make it) and finally arrived 8.5hrs late. Presumably this is a valid reason to claim delay compensation.

[Peter47]

Further to my last post my claim has been turned down as the flight was "cancelled". Ïs that indeed the defination of a technical return to the airport of departure. I'm afraid that knowing the way that the legislation works you could be eligable for compensation for a three hour delay but not an 8.5 hr one. Any thoughts? Is it worth going to arbitration or not worth bothering?

[GROUNDHOG]

We just filed a claim with BA for a delay of five hours from Calgary under EU regulations. No qualms acknowledged straight away and paid within 48 hours, brilliant service. They also fed and watered us at Calgary and gave advanced notice via text the flight would be delayed although we were already en route to the airport! On a previous trip the delay was due to adverse weather but they still gave us a first class Hotel in Vancouver and fed us until the flight the next day.

Top marks to BA from us!