On Jan. 15, 2004, I was on flight 120 from jfk to cdg; the flight left at 3:18 am (scheduled departure 9:45 pm)--over 4 1/2 hours late. Two things contributed to the delay: (1)it was cold(and there was some light snow earlier)in NYC that day and water had iced up and it took one hour to thaw. At 10:45 pm the plane started to taxi to be de-iced, but they found that 3 of the toilets were not working so we waited for repairs...at 3:18 am we took off.
I wrote to AA(via snail mail) and did not receive an acknowledgement that my complaint was received. I also raised two SAFETY issues: (1)on departure at 3:18 am many passengers were sprawled out across empty seats without seat belts fastned and seats in up-right positions--the flight attendents did not make any attempt to have these pax conform to proper take-off proceedures. (2)was the flight crew over some limit: over 4 1/2 hours(or more)on the ground + 7 hours (scheduled) in the air.
I also filed a complaint with the FAA.
I phoned AA yesterday, and they claim that the delay was all weather related--yes when it is cold water does freeze...this should be anticipated.
I also felt that the person I spoke with was not too concerned with the safety issues I raised.
I've noticed from several posts here at FT AA, when they experienced flight delays, some people had received travel vouchers(even without requesting them.)
I was asking for an "offset": (1)on 2/14/04 I had a trip from JFK to NRT in N class for which I paid $544(phone in fare on the day I booked was cheaper than the WEB)--subsequently AA had a web price of $409, had the parities of the fare types been the same they could have given me a refund of the difference; (2)even though the fare was N, I wanted them to count this toward the triple mile promotion and give me the price difference (in the form of a voucher) [a technicality of rules!]
Any opinions--was my request reasonable?