Originally Posted by
streetmagix
Because, rightly or wrongly, BA isn't being seen in a positive light at the moment. BoB, negative newspaper articles, long haul catering changes and the recent IT meltdown have all contributed to this. I agree that it should be one rule for all though.
Now before I make this next statement this isn't directed at anyone in particular. I don't wish to offend or libel anyone.
Those defending BA and wanting to water down/scrap EU261: do you have a vested interest in BA or the airline industry?
As a purely leisure passenger I'm firmly on the side of the consumers, Which and EU261 here. I'd even say it doesn't go far enough but that's probably deeply unpopular around here.
Two responses to this:
1) Has anyone suggested watering down EU261 or even scrapping it anywhere in this thread? Not sure I've read this myself.
2) Accusing people of vested interests is the sure fire way to turn a debate nasty. Failing to see other people's views and understand them without being able to think there's an ulterior motive is one of the great failings of our societies right now.
Just because people have a different point of view to you doesn't mean they have some ulterior motive.
I'm not a BA employee. I'm a business flyer who does a fair amount of leisure flying too. I've claimed EU261 3 times in the last 5 years and have encouraged others to claim. But I still don't think automatic payout is a good idea.
It *will* add costs to airlines and that either means reduced costs elsewhere or increased prices. Oddly enough businesses don't look at a reduced margin and go "well - that's ok then". Would it change some behaviours? yes of course it would - but only once they'd reduced costs and increased prices - and they wouldn't then set out to reverse those.
Automatic payout is also not consistent with the way the rest of our society acts. I cannot think of one single area where some travel organisation or other has been forced into automatic payment of compensation for something. (Virgin Trains being the notable travel exception where they have volunteered in very select circumstances - advanced ticket via their website or app).