Airline with ridiculous flight change - what rights if any?
Discussion
The agency is chatting s
t, they should be able to sort this for you. Talking to air China directly pre-flight is a waste of time as you booked via an agency and so cannot change the booking yourself.
I’ve no doubt air China will sort you out once in transit, and this will be on the next available flight. Given that your connection will already have left, the transit desk will already be aware of you and what has happened. This doesn’t guarantee you’ll be on the next available flight if it’s full.
t, they should be able to sort this for you. Talking to air China directly pre-flight is a waste of time as you booked via an agency and so cannot change the booking yourself. I’ve no doubt air China will sort you out once in transit, and this will be on the next available flight. Given that your connection will already have left, the transit desk will already be aware of you and what has happened. This doesn’t guarantee you’ll be on the next available flight if it’s full.
We have relatives in China with a Southern China Airlines return to Vancouver this week. They are being contacted and offered 5 figures for their tickets. My wife has an Arbitration case this week with Chinese witnesses and lawyers who arrived yesterday, they are saying the same. With many non-Chinese carriers not flying to China getting on flights is very difficult.
Personally I wouldn't take the first leg unless the connection was confirmed with seats.
You could find a stay in Beijing. Whilst still a relatively small risk Airports, planes and hotels are going to mean lots of people.
It's your money and your call but I would try for a refund, but even if I didn't get one I would fly home direct or via another non Chinese layover.
Personally I wouldn't take the first leg unless the connection was confirmed with seats.
You could find a stay in Beijing. Whilst still a relatively small risk Airports, planes and hotels are going to mean lots of people.
It's your money and your call but I would try for a refund, but even if I didn't get one I would fly home direct or via another non Chinese layover.
From my meanderings on Flyertalk, things get a lot better better for sorting out problems at T-24 hrs, at sometime around this point the ticket comes under airline/airport control. At the moment you are getting the run around because the ticket is under the control of the travel agency.
I would send another email to travel agency saying that you have an impossible connection, then turn up very early at the airport, and see if they can rebook you into another Star Alliance carrier. Check the timings of other Star Alliance flights (Lufthansa, Swiss etc) and make sure that there is plenty of time for them to rebook you into them.
I would send another email to travel agency saying that you have an impossible connection, then turn up very early at the airport, and see if they can rebook you into another Star Alliance carrier. Check the timings of other Star Alliance flights (Lufthansa, Swiss etc) and make sure that there is plenty of time for them to rebook you into them.
Appreciate all posts.
On the virus then sure, it is a concern but airport and air travel always is.
And yes, have said to myself I will go to the airport here 24 hours early and see if they can confirm a route but if not, cancel. The curious thing is they cannot (I think) let me board a plane to China that does not have a connecting flight within 24-72 hours as then I need a visa to stay. So I am hoping they can sort it out in Tokyo before we board. They fly to Birmingham and Stansted too so I will have some suggestions
If not then yes, the thought of taking on queues for the one or two transit desks in a stressed airport (and the virus too) is too much to contemplate.
On the virus then sure, it is a concern but airport and air travel always is.
And yes, have said to myself I will go to the airport here 24 hours early and see if they can confirm a route but if not, cancel. The curious thing is they cannot (I think) let me board a plane to China that does not have a connecting flight within 24-72 hours as then I need a visa to stay. So I am hoping they can sort it out in Tokyo before we board. They fly to Birmingham and Stansted too so I will have some suggestions
If not then yes, the thought of taking on queues for the one or two transit desks in a stressed airport (and the virus too) is too much to contemplate.
- Airline is China Southern and I think they have pulled out of all alliances.
Quick update to close things:
Agency in UK ignored all emails and would not answer phone - they do answer on Trip Advisor as there they are getting a hammering
Went to China Southern office two days before the flight and there they re-routed me without issue. Guangzhou airport was like a horror film, absolutely deserted - just ground staff in all their virus protection suits and masks. Very eery, the staff were thanking me for being there and not 'abandoning us'.
So thanks all for the advice on here, it does indeed seem an agency ticket has the agency in charge until check in/24 hours before you fly but then the airline can step in.
One note for anyone flying to China or beyond, China Southern will put you up at a hotel if the gap between flights is 8 hours or more - they have a hotel in Guangzho.
BUT....only if you go through Guangzho. This helped me as when they saw the direct flight to London was 12 hours they asked if I would go via Amsterdam with only a 3 hour wait and seeing as I just wanted outta there I jumped at it.
Agency in UK ignored all emails and would not answer phone - they do answer on Trip Advisor as there they are getting a hammering
Went to China Southern office two days before the flight and there they re-routed me without issue. Guangzhou airport was like a horror film, absolutely deserted - just ground staff in all their virus protection suits and masks. Very eery, the staff were thanking me for being there and not 'abandoning us'.
So thanks all for the advice on here, it does indeed seem an agency ticket has the agency in charge until check in/24 hours before you fly but then the airline can step in.
One note for anyone flying to China or beyond, China Southern will put you up at a hotel if the gap between flights is 8 hours or more - they have a hotel in Guangzho.
BUT....only if you go through Guangzho. This helped me as when they saw the direct flight to London was 12 hours they asked if I would go via Amsterdam with only a 3 hour wait and seeing as I just wanted outta there I jumped at it.
Edited by jondude on Friday 21st February 13:52
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff