Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on what to do if your flight is cancelled
Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Q My partner and our daughter booked to fly on 21 July from London to Ibiza with British Airways. They were booked on the 6.55am, landing at 10.20am. Yesterday, I received an email from BA which read, "We are very sorry to advise you that your flight BA8467 on 21 July 2016 has been cancelled. We have rebooked you on to the best alternative flight,” which is the 10.50am on the same day, landing at 2.15pm.
I'm not going with them (work commitments, so I would have driven them to the airport). Because of the new time, I can no longer take them and they will need to take a taxi from Enfield. In addition, the arrival time was such that they were meeting friends from another flight (Ryanair from Stansted departing 7am) and they were sharing a cab to their accommodation.
BA's Customer Relations have put up the brick wall, I'm afraid, and completely refused any sort of goodwill gesture, citing the fact that it is over two weeks to the travel day. But having spent £800 on return flights, I'd expect a little better, frankly. If you have any advice I'd be grateful.
Dave Whitehouse
A Quick: cancel the booking with British Airways, as you are entitled to do because BA has actually cancelled the flight; if it had merely moved the departure time, you would not have this option.
Re-book on that 7am flight on Ryanair from Stansted. I am looking at return flights around the £200 mark, which means you would pay £400 for your partner and daughter, and will be able to pocket around £400 (though you will have to pay extra for any checked baggage).
I reckon Enfield-Stansted should take about 45 minutes, the same time as Enfield-London City on a weekday morning, so you can fulfil your chauffeur duties.
Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments