Originally Posted by
Doc Savage
A flight was promised on a given date for a given price. The entity accepting the payment entered into an agreement to do that, and should follow through on their side of the contract. BA, by accepting payment, accepted the risk that their flaky partner would screw things up. They need to make it right.
BA is merely an agent for AB in this situation. In the event of cancellations/schedule changes BA can only do what AB allows it to do. AB's T&C does not allow re-routing onto other carriers in the event of cancellation. BA allows it for its own flights but only onto AA/IB (Joint business) services.
If it were a revenue ticket bought through a travel agent the outcome would have been the same - the agent would only offer the options allowed by AB.