Hi,

I am in a middle of a dispute with BA over a delayed flight in June from LHR-MAD. The flight was supposed to arrive in MAD at 16:35 GMT, yet it landed at 19:28 GMT. It took another 15 minutes for the plane to go to the gate and for doors to open. I remember quite clearly that when I first stepped foot at the terminal building, the local time was 21:50 or 19:50 GMT. I was amongst the first people to disembark, as I was sitting in the first row of ET. I am sure the doors did not open until 19:43 GMT, yielding a delay of 188 minutes, in which case regulation 261/2004 does apply.


Now, BA first said that the flight landed at 19:28 GMT, meaning the delay was of only 173 minutes so regulation 261/2004 does not apply, since it would mean the delay was under 3h. I then reminded them of the recent ECJ ruling that delay is measured until aircraft doors open. Now they replied that 19:28 is the time the aircraft was parked at the gate :P I replied that they are wrong, that 19:28 was the landing time.

Is there a way I can verify for sure from an impartial source (such as MAD authorities) when exactly did those aircraft doors open?

Thanks,

OA