British Airways cancellation shenanigans

[Faethepit]

First trip abroad in over 2 years booked for March 2022.

Originally booked ABZ – LGW – MLA return however with the BA Gatwick shenanigans the MLA flights were re-booked from / to LHR which suited me fine.

Just received e-mail from BA that the return flight from MLA – LHR on 27th March (BA 2657) has been cancelled and noting “We’ll do everything we can to get you where you need to be” and “you can rebook onto the next available flight”. Unfortunately, next flight isn’t into Gatwick until 30th March and I don’t have 3 days annual leave to spare.

1. Do I hold off for a few days and hope that BA add additional flights? Looking at BA.com it would appear that there are no flights LHR – MLA or MLA – LHR 27th – 29th March and again on 31st March – 5th April. Could BA still be updating schedule?
2. If BA don’t add in additional flights, do I have the right under EC261 to request to be flown on Air Malta MLA – LHR?

TIA

[Lady London]

I’d say give it some time. In fact, quite a lot of time if you can.

You have the advantage that youve indicated LHR and LGW are both OK for you. It’s a long time till end of March especially with Covid about. Personally if I could I’d wait till 2 or 3 weeks before.

BA refused to reroute someone onto Air Malta as reported here some while back when there was absolutely no other airline flying. This is of course illegal snd I believe after BA refused, the person bought their own ticket on Air Malta, MCOLed and got their money.

If you still need to travel on same day then remember you can make suggestions but if more than one other airline is flying on the day you need/as reasonably close timing as possible then remember BA gets to choose which other aitline not you (if they do agree to reroute you.) So could be Ryanair or Easyjet by then, who knows. Note BA is responsible for your costs of getting you back to your originally booked airport if the only reasonably close timed alternative uses another airport.

The week you’re travelling is the first week of the summer flying season which means highly likely things will change again and/or flights potentially be added nearer the time. Wait it out, think about contingencies but I have a feeling it’s far too early to worry about problems with BA on this, by early March you may well find an alternative flight returns.

• This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .

[Faethepit]

Many thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

I’ve got the feeling that BA will add further flights in the coming months.

Got a back up plan in place just in case.

Again, many thanks for your help.