Originally Posted by
Nicofr68
Hello… does anyone know if the UK/EU 261 rules oblige an airline to replace a direct flight they have cancelled with an alternative direct flight (albeit with another carrier) on the same day or within 24 hours?
There is no such right. When the airline offers you an acceptable alternative - despite not being the preferred solution for you - the airline is not going to rebook you OAL (which will be much more expensive for the airline than rebooking you to their own flights). You have zero chance of getting the airline to rebook you in this situation, and you would have to buy the new ticket on your own and hope that the airline will be forced to reimburse you afterwards.
Take a (full) refund and book the desired flight on your own; much easier and time saving.