Last year our flight to Amsterdam on KLM was cancelled an hour before we were due to leave for the airport. Can't begin to tell you the stress this created. (first trip to Europe/my daughter and I travelling alone etc.) This year our flight with AirTransat to London has been changed numerous times and finally, as of now, our direct flight has become one with an hour stop over in Edmonton. How common has this become? It makes me extremely nervous and frustrated mainly because I paid for a direct flight! Other people's recent experiences would be appreciated.
Posted by
BC, Canada
345 posts
I'd been ready to book with Air Transat but hadn't yet... and then the flight that WAS direct suddenly wasn't. I rather lost my faith in them at that point, and switched to BMI/Air Canada. And then the talk began about bankruptcy, lol.
One interesting thing - we'd been booked on an Airbus 330 but BEFORE the recent crashes, they switched planes to a 747. So, it does seem like plane changes, and schedule changes are fairly common.
What I can say as a fellow BCer... relax, and try and keep the stress from ruining your trip. It's something I struggle with myself. Think about the high points, the things you've wanted to do see, and focus on the positives.
Things will go wrong. That's the nature of travel. But other things will go wonderfully right.
Posted by
OP
Langley, B.C., Canada
103 posts
How would you begin to check on a carrier's reputation in these areas though?
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Melanie
Funny you should say KLM cancelled. When I was returning from Dublin into San Francisco, the attendant commented KLM cancelled a flight, and rescheduled the next day.
I don't think flights are being cancelled, but certain carriers are changing their times, etc.
I'd check on the carrier's reputation for ontime, cancelations, etc.
Posted by
Newcastle, WA, USA
643 posts
I don't think there is any reason to surmise the Airbus A330 to be an unsafe airplane. Too many are flying at every hour of every day and just because one airplane goes down it doesn't mean they are all going to go down.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
There is a consumer report on on time, late ness, etc. but I don't know where the report is.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Hi Melanie. Most airlines have a clause in their Contract of Carriage that defines a Major change, vs a Minor change. Adding a connection to a nonstop flight is usually considered a major change, and many airlines will refund for that.
Not sure if AirTransat is one of them, but it might be worth a try if the flights are not good for you. I tried to look at it for you, but I could only find the contract in French. :(
RE changes: Seems to be endemic these days, not just London. SAS is doing it too. It's more about the economy, and consolidating flights. As someone mentioned, all the Airbus 330's needing to go in for repair isn't helping. =\
The busier the airport though, the more likely for changes or delays as a rule. I've had some hecka bad luck with Heathrow!
Posted by
OP
Langley, B.C., Canada
103 posts
Thanks Chris. I'll look into that when I get back. Last year when our flight was cancelled by a whole 24 hours, all they gave us was a 300.00 credit each. Well we are not world travellers and this was as good as useless to us.