Originally Posted by
Prospero
Does this apply here? My understanding of EC261 is the passenger is entitled to receive a full refund in the event of a 5+ hour delay, measured beyond the scheduled time of departure.
Originally Posted by
corporate-wage-slave
Yes, 5 hours is clearly spelled out in Article 6.1, towards the end. BA's Conditions of Carriage used to have a "significant change" provision, allowing arguments to be made in specific cases for shorter periods, but this has now gone to 5 hours for them too. In this Iberia case you can pursue Iberia directly for the refund, or get your credit card company to recall the payment to Expedia, if they are willing to do so. But making Iberia bookings with Expedia is an act of madness even in normal circumstances.
I think that you are referring to this:
1. When an operating air carrier reasonably expects a flight to be delayed beyond its scheduled time of departure:
passengers shall be offered by the operating air carrier:
(iii) when the delay is at least five hours, the assistance specified in Article 8(1)(a).
Note that the regulation specifically talks about a delay of five hours, but the flight isn't delayed. It departs eight hours earlier than initially scheduled.
What happens if you are rebooked to a flight which departs eight hours earlier than initially scheduled but you can't manage to reach the airport eight hours earlier? Will the airline have to rebook you if you show up shortly before the original departure time?