Originally Posted by
Tricialac
Thanks for all the input. I was wondering if anyone could give me some detailed advice regarding the flights. I have booked my vacation on Expedia and it reads as 2 return tickets (1 for me and 1 for my husband.) We each have identical ticket numbers except for the last digit and they start with 125. Itinerary shows confirmation with BA and IB using identical Reference code/PNR. The flight is as follows:
YVR to LHR on BA 84
LHR to MAD on IB3177 operated by Iberia
MAD to EAS on IB 8324 operated by Air Nostrom.
All of this info is as it shows on my Expedia itinerary. However its confusing when I go to my booking on the specific airline partners. for example on Expedia it says LHR to MAD Iberia 3177 operated by Iberia, my itinerary showing on BA website says LHR to MAD is IB 3177 operated by British airways and Iberia site says LHR to MAD IB 3177 with British Airways next to it.
From my understanding these are all code share alliances so is the confusion just their intra codeshare stuff?
1. Am I correct to assume that if I run across any delays etc leaving YVR that BA will rebook me through to EAS? Especially if the delays will mean I miss my connections?
2. If I arrive in time at airport but miss connection due to immigration or long security lines will Iberia rebook me to EAS?
3. Is it better to speak directly with BA since the ticket seems to be issued by them or must I go through Expedia?
4. Do I have rights in regards to EC261?
5. If BA or IB do compensate by rebooking on my outgoing flights will that affect my return itinerary also?i.e. do they quickly notify each other and expedia to ensure I am not classed as a no show?
I have read through policies on the airlines and Expedia but still seems unclear what the process is and when I call by phone Im given various different answers. I just want to be prepared for worst case scenario. I apologize for the long post and thank you in advance for any guidance you can give me.
125 tickets are BA tickets. The flight numbers / code share for the LHR-MAD flight is a bit confusing, but don't worry about it. For various reasons relating the the joint BA/IB operation of this route, your flight is technically a BA flight (BA518), but is operated on their behalf by IB, who also sell the flight themselves as IB3177. What's important for you is that seat selection and OLCI for that flight will be on BA.com, if you do those things online.
On your other queries:
1. Yes, you would be rebooked if a delay meant you would miss one or more connections.
2. Yes, you would be rebooked if delays at immigration/security caused you to miss a flight. As mentioned above, you will only have to reclear security in LHR, there is no security during your connection in MAD. Immigration at the gates where you will arrive in MAD is quick, and you don't have immigration at LHR when connecting to MAD.
3. What do you want to speak about? BA will not usually touch a travel agent issued ticket until it comes back under their control a few days before the flight. As above, things like advance seat selection can be done direct, but not changes to the ticket.
4. Yes, all sectors are operated by EU carriers to or from EU destinations, so EC261 would apply if the criteria were met.
5. If the airline rebooks you, it should not affect subsequent sectors on the itinerary (i.e. Your return).
Now stop worrying and enjoy your trip
