A colleague travelled GLA to IAD in June and, upon reaching London, the 5pm flight to IAD had been cancelled as the A380 scheduled to operate that service went tech. They were rebooked to IAD on the 7pm Virgin flight the following evening.

They submitted a UK261 claim for delay compensation and additional expenses upon their return covering 1 night at an airport hotel, taxi to/from the hotel, dinner, breakfast and essential toiletries. All in totalling £821 comprising £520 delay compensation and £301 additional expenses. After 10 weeks of no response, I suggested they reach out to CEDR.

CEDR have written back stating that BA are offering £615 by way of settlement. Which seems to cover the statutory delay compensation and £95 of the additional expenses. I confirmed with my colleague that the hotel cost was £178 and there was no alcohol included within the F&B expenses.

It's not obvious, from the breakdown of the expenses that were submitted, what BA have decided to include/exclude. Actually, the amount offered is exactly 75% of what was claimed. Is this a standard tactic? And are they best advised to reject and seek adjudication? The only part of the claim I could see BA reasonably quibbling over were the taxi costs to/from the hotel given that cheaper public transport options were available, though in the circumstances with a young lady who isn’t as familiar with Heathrow, I personally think it’s reasonable.