Reply To: Flight cancellation – what is reasonable re routing?

[JDB]

@AndyW – unfortunately, there isn’t a clear cut answer to your question.

I imagine the later option is on Vueling, which will be BA’s rerouting of choice along with Iberia (although I don’t think they fly this particular route). You should ascertain what alternatives there are and the cost of those flights. You can then tell BA that the proposed rerouting isn’t suitable, please can they book you on x or y flight and if it’s EasyJet, they will probably refuse. If they do, you will have reasonable cover to book the EasyJet flight and then claim the cost (after you have flown) on the basis that BA failed to reroute you per the requirements of Article 8. BA should theoretically then keep whatever you have paid and pay you the cost of the new tickets.

There’s no certainty this will work because it hinges on the question of reasonableness as you have identified. The alternative is to ask BA for a refund, telling them you will be claiming the difference in cost for the rerouting flight to which you are entitled but they have refused to book. At least you then aren’t out of pocket for so long and I would go down this route, particularly if the difference between the refund and new flight cost isn’t too great. Claiming the difference carries the same reasonableness risk.

For completeness, I should add that some here will say not to take the refund as that would compromise your rerouting rights, but I believe this to be incorrect. This view would be fortified by telling them (as above) that you are only taking the refund as part payment for the new tickets as you cannot be expected to fund BA.