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I had booked flights in November to Costa Rica with BA, but my return leg got cancelled. I was flying Business, but as no direct alternatives were available I was offered flying back Iberia via Madrid to London. My original booking was in Business, but I now notice my booking confirmation says ‘Premium Economy’ for the SJO-MAD leg (it’s still Business for the MAD-LHR leg).
When looking at the seat map when choosing my seat on Iberia, it looks like it’s a A330-200 in the configuration used by LEVEL – meaning it only has Economy, and three 2-3-2 rows of Premium Economy.
What can I do at this point? I’m guessing this is an Iberia-operated flight using a LEVEL plane? Can I request a refund? There are no other options that day, so I was more or less forced into taking this option, but at the time of talking to the agent I wasn’t told I’d technically be downgraded. I’m also confused as to why Iberia is flying a plane without Business Class seats on a long-haul flight.
I’ve not heard of any Level planes going to Madrid so this is strange. The plane flying this week is an Iberia livery A330-200 but has a regular business class. I looked at November and I saw what you said – there is no business class, only premium economy. However, there is nothing that says it is operated by level, and this implies that they are reducing service out of Barcelona.
Did you knowingly accept it as premium economy? I would call them back, but find some other routing on oneworld that works for you (maybe there is an AA routing that works). I’m sure you’ll be due something back if you decide to keep the premium economy – others will know more.
The agent did have a bit of trouble at first booking me on to Business for that leg, but then figured it out “due to Iberia using a different coding system”. I think the agent wasn’t aware that this was actually Premium Economy, hence that’s how it’s listed on my booking confirmation. Unfortunately this is the only option that works for me, so I guess I’ll just leave it (and hope that in the meantime they might just change aircrafts and I can get booked back on Business).
Ha, yeah the agent probably didn’t realise this was PE. You’ll be due downgrade compensation though.
The only advice I can suggest is stick with it if it suits you but then claim EC261 diwngrade reimbursement for the leg on the revised itinerary.
I suspect that any changes now will be treated as a voluntary change as you only get one bite at doing so for free.
Not if the agent advised incorrectly or booked incorrectly without telling you. Under Article 15 you can go back and demand your full rights to be honoured. However, you’d need some proof such as recording of the call.
On the other hand, you’d be due 75% off the downgraded leg, but you’ll probably need to take them to MCOL as I am finding out at the moment.
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