Flight changed by Air NZ but not bookable
Sep 7, 2018, 4:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 168
Flight changed by Air NZ but not bookable
Hi all,
I was booked on an Auckland to Melbourne flight, but Air NZ e-mailed me to say it was cancelled and I've been booked on the next flight of the day. But, when I go to the Air NZ website and try to make a booking, this next flight is not an option. What is going on? Have I been moved onto a 'secret' flight?
I was booked on an Auckland to Melbourne flight, but Air NZ e-mailed me to say it was cancelled and I've been booked on the next flight of the day. But, when I go to the Air NZ website and try to make a booking, this next flight is not an option. What is going on? Have I been moved onto a 'secret' flight?
Sep 7, 2018, 1:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
What does your booking say when you look at it? If they've said they have moved you, why are you trying to rebook yourself?
It's pretty common to find all flights blocked out on a route if a cancellation is made in advance. This allows them to try and accommodate all pax without new bookings occuring.
There are 2 other threads in recent days which will no doubt be similar cancellations due to the Dreamliner issues. They discus this in a lot more detail.
It's pretty common to find all flights blocked out on a route if a cancellation is made in advance. This allows them to try and accommodate all pax without new bookings occuring.
There are 2 other threads in recent days which will no doubt be similar cancellations due to the Dreamliner issues. They discus this in a lot more detail.
Sep 7, 2018, 11:35 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 168
Cheers sbiddle. Very frustrating because I originally booked Air NZ as they have a wide variety of flights throughout the day which gives me lots of options. For them to cancel 4/6 flights of the day and rebook everyone on the remaining 2 is really frustrating for my plans. If I wanted unreliability and inflexibility I would've gone for Jetstar.
Sep 8, 2018, 12:25 am
#4
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Cheers sbiddle. Very frustrating because I originally booked Air NZ as they have a wide variety of flights throughout the day which gives me lots of options. For them to cancel 4/6 flights of the day and rebook everyone on the remaining 2 is really frustrating for my plans. If I wanted unreliability and inflexibility I would've gone for Jetstar.
Sep 8, 2018, 1:55 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Cheers sbiddle. Very frustrating because I originally booked Air NZ as they have a wide variety of flights throughout the day which gives me lots of options. For them to cancel 4/6 flights of the day and rebook everyone on the remaining 2 is really frustrating for my plans. If I wanted unreliability and inflexibility I would've gone for Jetstar.
Also what is your status? As they will do the reaccommodate in status order.
It is a crap situation but the Trents have issues and there is little AirNZ can do when the engine manufacturer and the regulators say an engine can't fly. AirNZ has already sourced two 777 and a third is on the way. And Rolls Royce has said the issues are going to take to 2022 or so to solve.
I have heard they are giving 787 cabin crew secondments to the 777. Not sure if they are doing the same for pilots.
Sep 8, 2018, 2:08 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
It is a crap situation but the Trents have issues and there is little AirNZ can do when the engine manufacturer and the regulators say an engine can't fly. AirNZ has already sourced two 777 and a third is on the way. And Rolls Royce has said the issues are going to take to 2022 or so to solve.
.
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Sep 8, 2018, 7:16 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 168
Yes I called them (spent 1 hour on hold) and only two options were given - one earlier and one later. The earlier flight is bookable on Air NZ website but the later one is not. I am a peasant - I use AirPoints but I have no status, never knew this would affect my rebooking. You would've thought that if I bought a flight to arrive in Melbourne at X o clock I wouldn't want a flight that arrives at Y or Z o clock!
Sep 8, 2018, 7:46 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Yes I called them (spent 1 hour on hold) and only two options were given - one earlier and one later. The earlier flight is bookable on Air NZ website but the later one is not. I am a peasant - I use AirPoints but I have no status, never knew this would affect my rebooking. You would've thought that if I bought a flight to arrive in Melbourne at X o clock I wouldn't want a flight that arrives at Y or Z o clock!
Sep 8, 2018, 7:48 pm
#9
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Airlines generally don't have lots of spare aircraft to be swapped in. If the arrival time for the rebooking options bothers you then you should be able to get a refund, and you can then make a new booking on another airline.
Sep 8, 2018, 7:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
Delays happen all the time with every airline for a multitude of reasons. If you're unhappy about the alternative options take the refund and book with somebody else.
Sep 8, 2018, 8:02 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
Sep 13, 2018, 3:03 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 778
It's probably worth pointing out here that whenever you buy a ticket with any airline you buy a ticket for them to get you to your destination. The arrival / departure times do not represent any part of your contract of carriage with them.
Delays happen all the time with every airline for a multitude of reasons. If you're unhappy about the alternative options take the refund and book with somebody else.
Delays happen all the time with every airline for a multitude of reasons. If you're unhappy about the alternative options take the refund and book with somebody else.
Civil Aviation Act 1990 No 98 (as at 28 September 2017), Public Act 91Z Liability of carrier in respect of delay ? New Zealand Legislation