Originally Posted by
HB-IWC
While I agree that that should be the rule under circumstances in which a passenger asks for a voluntary change of flight, that was certainly not the case in here.
Actually, any restrictions (depending on the type of ticket) also apply in the event of an involuntary change - unless there are some higher powers to be (like government regulations or the EU passenger rights) rendering the restrictions useless.
Originally Posted by
HB-IWC
The connection was missed because a delay of one of KLM's own aircraft - not weather related, but a technical problem with the F70 dispatched for that flight. This was an involuntary change of flight, and KLM decided to have the passenger wait for 4.5 hours until the next KL-operated flight rather than offering a faster alternative that would have entailed a change of carrier.
Certainly not a good way to do business. I'd have been upset as well if I had been in that situation.
Originally Posted by
HB-IWC
My question is really as to the policy, if any, of KLM in these cases because during a previous very similar situation (paid WBC ticket, same passenger), KLM agreed to rebook a missed AMS LIS flight on TP, although an alternative KLM-operated flights with space was available later in the day.
Most airlines educate their agents to try to get the passenger to stick with the same airline (or at least alliance) in the event of irregular operations, which is the first policy there is
Seriously though - if your flight cancels, you can request to be put on the next available flight regardless which airline operates the flight; this being based on the EU rules. If your flight is "only" delayed, any changes are at the discretion of the airline if you travel on a restricted ticket.