I have an issue with my recent flight with Air France. Normally I never go into the compensation way because I had good experiences in the past with other airlines. I would like some advice how to proceed.

Normally I travel on business and when changes happen this is mostly not an issue. I fly *A mostly and they take good care especially when I travel with my family.

Now the Air France horror which happened the 30th of January. I flew with my family of 5 (kids, 13/10 and 14 months) from Warsaw to Miami with a change of planes in Paris. We should have departed on 6.55 but were delayed about 1 hour. I had a connecting flight about 1.30 minutes after landing in Paris (same terminal and so on) so 30 minutes would be pretty tight. I asked the purser and he said that it wouldn't be a problem since everything was delayed all over Europe due to a strike. Well I didn't hear anything about this but ok. When arriving in Paris we had to proceed to another passport control which took a lot of time since there was only one gate open and the supervisor was a guy that liked his power and closed all lanes but one. Anyway after about 20 minutes we went through and proceeded to plane that had final call (original time so no delay) arrived at the gate, the ground stewardess was assisting us with the stroller and so on.

After two minutes she came back to us and said the door is closed sorry we rebook you. Than more people gathered at the gate and they all missed the plane that was still at the gate but had the door closed (it stayed there at the gate for at least 30 minutes)

Well, everybody including me and my family were rebooked and we had to get a via flight instead of a direct flight from Paris. We were rerouted to Montreal and would arrive there at about 17.30 and catch the 19.30 flight to Miami. On the boarding passes we were split around the plane and my son and daughter were in the back of the plane and my wife, the baby and I were somewhere in the middle. The original flight I requested bassinet seats to Miami and I got them. At the gate I tried to change the seats but I didn't succeeded so we flew to Montreal and it was a terrible flight old plane, bad service and off course another delay before take off. After take off I already saw that we would never have time to collect luggage, do customs and proceed to the next connection so I approached the steward who told me that the head purser would come to me.

After the Head purser assured my that she would contact Montreal I had some rest but wasn't sure that everything was in hand. 1,5 hours before landing the Head purser came to me and said that the captain contacted Montreal and that the flight to Miami was no problem ! everything was fixed and we would board. Member of the Air France ground staff would assist us as soon as we landed. Well happy days I thought.

After landing there was nobody at the gate to assist us, it took us about 2 hours to get through the lines of custom and luggage and off course we missed one bag. This was my bag which included all the stuff for me and the baby ... At the claim the guy said ; Ah you are the people heading to Miami well you flight is gone and we booked you in a hotel in the city. Your luggage will come in Miami, here you have some vouchers for diner and your flight will be with AA in the morning at 06.10 and have a great evening in Montreal.

We went, after waiting 45 minutes for transport to this hotel. In the middle of nowhere they put me and my family in a 'shithole'. The food was horrible the restaurant, unclean rooms and so on. Waking up at 02.00 in the morning since we had to be at the airport at 03.00 because we also had to clear US customs. When AA opened the counters (03.45) we couldn't check in online so we had to wait until ground staff arrived. During in-processing the ground staff said that our tickets were not confirmed and we would be denied boarding since AA passengers have priority. We were re-booked again on AA to La Guardia and from La Guardia to LA.

We arrived after this horror trip more then 26 hours later at the final location. My luggage (and the baby arrived 32 hours later).

I had to pay the first night of my hotel (Marriott in Miami) since my cancellation was later then 18.00. I made several calls to the car rental company and to the hotel to tell of my delays. Calls and hotel cost me already around 250 dollars. I had to buy some stuff for me and the baby (diapers, toothpaste and so on).

I can go in more details ...
What I would like to know what is according to the readers good compensation for this trip and how to proceed.

Best regards,
Swa