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Hi everyone
I hope someone can help. My flight (BA891) from SOF to LHR on 12/11/23 has been cancelled. This was the return leg of my trip. It was originally due to leave SOF at 19.20 arriving LHR at 20:55. I have asked BA to re-route, using EU261 article 8b, saying I am free to fly anytime from 15.30 that day. They have offered me a flight (indirect via Madrid) which departs at 15:00, which I don’t think I’ll be able to make due to prior engagements in Sofia. The flight offered is 4hr and 20mins before the scheduled departure time. I have asked them for other options but all options presented depart before 3pm. What are my rights? BA are saying they have offered me a flight and that they are obliged to offer a flight at the ‘earliest opportunity’. I read that as the earliest opportunity after the scheduled departure time, but the wording of Article 8b is not clear.
Several other airlines have flights that depart after 15:30 and there are some decent options with LOT, Austrian, Lufthansa and my preference Turkish Airlines. What are my chances of getting a replacement flight refunded if I book my own? Does anyone know of any prior case law where this has come up? It seems so silly to be arguing over 30 mins but I’m worried I’ll miss the flight if I accept their 3pm offer.
As you say Tom , at the earliest opportunity, should not be prior to the original flight otherwise they could send you back on the return flight.
@Tom I would focus on persuading BA to provide an alternative that suits you better. You would be on somewhat shaky ground to seek reimbursement for self rerouted tickets when BA has offered something albeit earlier than suits you. The rules are fundamentally on your side but don’t provide for the passenger to pick precisely the rerouting that suits them.
If you could fly the next day I am almost certain BA would pay the hotel cost after the fact if you submit a claim
Otherwise I don’t think you’ll get anywhere with BA rerouting on anyone else in advance and agree with @JDB I’d be nervous about trying to claim it. If it wasn’t much more expensive then I might give it a go otherwise take a refund and cover the difference myself.
But I am of the personal opinion that connecting in Europe to avoid a couple of hours on Wizzair is not worth my time so would just take the refund and book that, especially as Luton is my closest airport but appreciate some may not share my view on that 🙂
Just wondering – for those who TP run to SOF or are on a BA Holiday for double TP, if a leg is cancelled and rerouted via a non-BA airline or an indirect partner airline route, how (if at all) does that affect the TP element?
You contact BA and apply for what is called original routing credit.
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