No BA waiver for 125 ticketed AA 737MAX flights
Mar 13, 2019, 7:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ireland
Programs: VS Silver, EK Gold, BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 487
No BA waiver for 125 ticketed AA 737MAX flights
Called BA this morning to reroute a ticket (outbound flown) where the return is on a 737MAX tomorrow.
Seemingly no commercial waiver policy in place (yet?) and full change fees and fare difference applies.
Serious case of putting commercial interests first when BAs own regulator has effectively grounded the aircraft type!
Seems all discretion has been removed from even duty managers at the GGL line (who were as polite and helpful as always) and they are afraid of a “chargeback” to their budget if they waive the fees. ☹️
Seemingly no commercial waiver policy in place (yet?) and full change fees and fare difference applies.
Serious case of putting commercial interests first when BAs own regulator has effectively grounded the aircraft type!
Seems all discretion has been removed from even duty managers at the GGL line (who were as polite and helpful as always) and they are afraid of a “chargeback” to their budget if they waive the fees. ☹️
Mar 13, 2019, 8:04 am
#2
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WOW. Given that the UK doesn't even allow these aircraft flyover rights nor AFAIK ferry flights out of the country, it seems that if it's a safety issue, one should be allowed to change the flight for free if its a ticket on a UK airline, even if the flight is being operated in a place and by a carrier where it's legal.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:05 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Called BA this morning to reroute a ticket (outbound flown) where the return is on a 737MAX tomorrow.
Seemingly no commercial waiver policy in place (yet?) and full change fees and fare difference applies.
Serious case of putting commercial interests first when BAs own regulator has effectively grounded the aircraft type!
Seems all discretion has been removed from even duty managers at the GGL line (who were as polite and helpful as always) and they are afraid of a “chargeback” to their budget if they waive the fees. ☹️
Seemingly no commercial waiver policy in place (yet?) and full change fees and fare difference applies.
Serious case of putting commercial interests first when BAs own regulator has effectively grounded the aircraft type!
Seems all discretion has been removed from even duty managers at the GGL line (who were as polite and helpful as always) and they are afraid of a “chargeback” to their budget if they waive the fees. ☹️
I am sure that BA would happily change if AA compensated them for doing so, but given there is nothing forcing AA to do so, then I am afraid that there is nothing to do about it
Mar 13, 2019, 8:06 am
#4
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
This is up to AA not BA. AA have not grounded their fleet of 737 MAXs yet and therefore are not providing any waiver for rebooking to any of their passengers. I think your only option is to cancel and rebook if you feel strongly about it.
BA's regulators (CAA/EASA) are completely irrelevant I am afraid.
BA's regulators (CAA/EASA) are completely irrelevant I am afraid.
Last edited by KARFA; Mar 13, 2019 at 8:15 am Reason: spelling
Mar 13, 2019, 8:10 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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In the absence of specific information on the sectors involved, I would suggest either using AA's Same Day Change provision, or given the outbound has been flown, play around with ExpertFlyer to find some alternative with suitable fare buckets going, where the cost of changing would be acceptable.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:15 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
In an interesting (but not unexpected move), my employer has just instructed our corporate TA not to ticket any future reservations that include 737MAX sectors. Any forthcoming booked 737MAX sectors on any carrier must be rebooked to alternative aircraft, airlines or cancelled if the 737MAX cannot be avoided.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:20 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2018
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Posts: 368
Flying AA on a 737Max is likely to be safe.
Their pilots have a Max Simulator, are fully aware of MCAS issue and are as well trained as any pilots in the world.
Having said that, if you do not wish to fly the 737Max right now, I fully understand and would say that money should be no object in your avoidance of that airplane.
Another option would be to use Frequent Flier miles to book your return flight on AA (or Avios as the case maybe).
Their pilots have a Max Simulator, are fully aware of MCAS issue and are as well trained as any pilots in the world.
Having said that, if you do not wish to fly the 737Max right now, I fully understand and would say that money should be no object in your avoidance of that airplane.
Another option would be to use Frequent Flier miles to book your return flight on AA (or Avios as the case maybe).
Mar 13, 2019, 8:26 am
#8
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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In an interesting (but not unexpected move), my employer has just instructed our corporate TA not to ticket any future reservations that include 737MAX sectors. Any forthcoming booked 737MAX sectors on any carrier must be rebooked to alternative aircraft, airlines or cancelled if the 737MAX cannot be avoided.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:28 am
#9
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In an interesting (but not unexpected move), my employer has just instructed our corporate TA not to ticket any future reservations that include 737MAX sectors. Any forthcoming booked 737MAX sectors on any carrier must be rebooked to alternative aircraft, airlines or cancelled if the 737MAX cannot be avoided.
Where's your employer located?
Mar 13, 2019, 9:08 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
Really? I do not see how AA pilots would be any safer than any others if it is a problem with the aircraft that is not recoverable by even trained pilots. At this stage no one knows what the cause(s) or contributory factors for the recent crashes are.
Mar 13, 2019, 9:40 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,753
And given that a certain US President was apparently having talks with Boeing over the weekend (according to news reports that I cannot now find) one wonders what, if any 'deal' may have been done between the US's largest aeroplane manufacturer and the US Govt's governing body for aviation safety.
Mar 13, 2019, 9:41 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ireland
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Posts: 487
I will be changing my flight, the cost isn’t the issue (but thanks for the advice / suggestions), I just think it’s unacceptable on a 125 (CAA regulated airline) ticket.
Its highly likely my 737 flight will operate safely and be uneventful, but that’s not the basis on which aviation safety should operate.