Originally Posted by
dominiquelondon
To be honest, I was unaware of the differences between "stand-by" and "waiting list", but I think I used the term "waiting list" with the BA agent.
Considering it was BA who cancelled on me (I have since learnt that the underlying reason was the French ATC strike, but didn't know that until Sunday morning), I think they should have shown some flexibility in allowing me to be on the waiting list for the 16:50. After all, I don't think it's too difficult to manage a waiting list, is it? Seat becomes available, give 30 mins to the first person to take it up, if no response go to next. Repeat for every new available seat.
Anyway, thanks all for your feedback / comments.
In this instance, I have to side with BA, you were on a BA flight that has been cancelled due to ATC strikes, the next available flight with seats (given they have 180 pax approx to rebook) is Sunday morning.That or a possible Monday flight are your options right now, but you state Monday is a non-starter. Therefore looking at BA's options - the best they can do is confirm you a seat on the 11.50am Sunday flight.
If the 'stand-by' option of the 4.40pm flight was offered to you but all pax turned up and you were told the next available flight was 4.50pm on Monday, can I ask your reaction?
I think the only situation that was a potential for the standby/wait list rule to actually work in this case was if you were confirmed on the 4.50pm flight and you asked to be put on standby for the 11.50am. The other way round has a strong chance of you getting stuck at your departure airport without a viable flight to London until Monday!
Pilot37