Compensation for cancelled flight?
 

I just got a call from my mother-in-law in YWG. MIL, sister-in-law, and infant nephew were booked on AC6288 (Zip?) from YWG to YOW this evening.

When I checked the seatmap earlier today to see if the bulkhead was available for the kid, the flight was less than half full.

They all got to the airport, checked in, and were waiting to board when they announced that the flight was cancelled due to "mechanical problems." The whole flight, I think, was rebooked on AC192 to YYZ tomorrow morning, with a connection from YYZ to YOW. They weren't offered any compensation, and they didn't ask, but they did hear some talk of hotel accomodations. (They live in YWG so they just went home).

They're asking for my advice. Seems to me that they're entitled to something, especially given that they're now missing half a day of their trip, plus they've lost the benefit of a non-stop flight--apparently not everyone tries to maximize segments. Go figure!!

Is it suspicious that a half-full flight is cancelled at the last minute, or could there have really been a genuine mechanical problem?

Any advice would be appreciated.

RU

[This message has been edited by RevvedUp (edited 06-07-2003).]

The plane really did break down. A replacement a/c just left YVR about an hour ago. It should arrive in YWG just after midnight local.

Thanks, tracon.

Why send a replacement tonight? They just said they were going via YYZ at around 0800 tomorrow--I just assumed it was via AC192. If they're sending new equipment, why isn't the flight non-stop to YOW as originally scheduled?

[This message has been edited by RevvedUp (edited 06-07-2003).]

They should get MCO's shouldn't they? After all this was AC's fault. Anyone out there know for sure.

I'm not blasting AC for a mechanical when I say "their fault" as these things do happen, but it is their fault and they have responsibilites as the next flight is tommorow.

Thanks, cattle.

Anyone know for sure?

I tried to search the files for a similar experience LAX-YYX in Jan 02, but couldn't find it.

If my fleeting memory serves me correctly, a 25K bonus to my Aerolan account arrived about the same time that I wrote a letter to customer solutions for a partial refund (I lost a business day because it was the red eye that went down).

The plane operating 6288 returns to YWG and then YYC at 6:50am the next morning. They probably sent the aircraft out from YVR so they could operate the YWG-YYC flight the next day.