I'm due to pick a mate up from EK27 to GLA today, but he's just called to say he's missed it and will be on EK25 instead, over 7 hours later.

He came in to DXB from BKK on EK419 which should have given 1 hour 45 mins to connect, but was delayed and landed 28 minutes late. I realise 1 hour 17 minutes meets the MCT allowed (just), but given a bus gate and transfer from Concourse B to A, is it reasonable to blame him for not getting to the gate on time?

He's adamant he did nothing to slow himself down in transit. I've travelled with him before (and will be flying back with him in a couple of weeks) and he's not one to hang about so I can believe this. Any chance of a complaint to Emirates getting the charge to change to EK25 refunded?

EK419 looks like it circled twice south of Fujairah, then another big loop between there and DXB.