Plane change LH -> Air Dolomiti = Downgrade?
Dec 16, 2011, 12:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: LH HON, SPG Plat
Posts: 32
Plane change LH -> Air Dolomiti = Downgrade?
Yesterday the equipment on my flight STR-MUC was changed from an LH Regional CRJ700 to an Air Dolomiti ATR72-500.
I feel that this is like an involuntary downgrade (I was flying in C) and I am wondering whether you agree/disagree:
Appreciate your comments!
I feel that this is like an involuntary downgrade (I was flying in C) and I am wondering whether you agree/disagree:
- Need to walk through the entire cabin since business class is in the front and door is in the back
- Flight time was almost doubled
- Seat pitch is dramatically lower, no chance at all to open a laptop, almost no space if the person in front of you reclines
- No real food served on the plane, just a very dry (and very small) roll
- Seats in the front are the poorest seats on an ATR72 since the noise and vibrations make you feel like being at the dentist
Appreciate your comments!
Dec 16, 2011, 3:03 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: PRN
Programs: LH HON* || HH Diamond || Accor Gold
Posts: 1,271
Are you serious?
1) if you can't walk through "the entire" cabin (CRJ700 is 32,5m long whereas ATR is 27,2m) you should order handicap assistance for all of your future trips since aircraft types do change (as do gates, luggage belts, etc);
2) Type of the food that would have been served if you had flown with CRJ would not differ from that served if flown on ATR;
3) Very much like in ATR, in CRJ you could have had someone reclining and thus limiting your space;
4) The poorest seats on ATR are those that are directly next to the propellers. I doubt that C class extended all the way to row 8.
1) if you can't walk through "the entire" cabin (CRJ700 is 32,5m long whereas ATR is 27,2m) you should order handicap assistance for all of your future trips since aircraft types do change (as do gates, luggage belts, etc);
2) Type of the food that would have been served if you had flown with CRJ would not differ from that served if flown on ATR;
3) Very much like in ATR, in CRJ you could have had someone reclining and thus limiting your space;
4) The poorest seats on ATR are those that are directly next to the propellers. I doubt that C class extended all the way to row 8.
Dec 16, 2011, 4:07 am
#3
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: M&M FTL; BAEC Bronze
Posts: 1,043
And if you have the same class of service, then I don't see how it can be considered a downgrade. I agree that the CRJ is a nicer plane, especially away from the engines, but it is a short flight and I am sure the service will not be much different.
Just my 2p worth.
Dec 16, 2011, 4:28 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: LH HON, SPG Plat
Posts: 32
Yes, and I was not alone, the entire C-class was complaining (>10 people, mostly SENs/HONs)
It is not about not being able to but not wanting to due to the price of my ticket
Not true, it is -- as I said -- a very small dry roll vs. a standard intra-German LH snack
I sat in row 6 and was directly at the propeller
I sat in row 6 and was directly at the propeller
Dec 16, 2011, 4:54 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Italy
Programs: LH SEN, FB platinum, BAEC bronze
Posts: 473
Air Dolomiti also used to have C class at the back, which made very much sense because it was close to the door and C class passengers were the first off the plane. But then they had many complaints by passengers who felt that flying C class they needed to be at the front, and so they moved it to the front of the plane.
Dec 16, 2011, 5:19 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: SK Eurobonus Silver, DL, AA, AY, US
Posts: 600
Involuntary downgrade as in EU 261/2004 or involuntary downgrade as it sucks but too bad?
In the latter I'd probably agree with you, but I don't think you'll be able to claim any compensation, unless LH wants to give some out as a gesture goodwill. After all, you were in C even if you did not like the product.
Change of operator probably could have given you a possibility to cancel and a refund if you so wish (even if your ticket would have been non-refundable) just like a schedule change does but that's it.
In the latter I'd probably agree with you, but I don't think you'll be able to claim any compensation, unless LH wants to give some out as a gesture goodwill. After all, you were in C even if you did not like the product.
Change of operator probably could have given you a possibility to cancel and a refund if you so wish (even if your ticket would have been non-refundable) just like a schedule change does but that's it.
Dec 16, 2011, 6:07 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH SEN only nowadays, AF & AY basic. Radisson Blu fan :-)
Posts: 505
Seriously???? C'mon, that's a super short hop. It's not like you were stuck on a prop plane across the atlantic. LH got you there safely, you got good Air Dolomiti Service... IMHO not a single reason to complain.
that sounds like a typical "I'am a SEN/HON and so much better than everyone else around me - how dare you not giving me royal VIP treatment and making me walk thru the cabin past these lowly Economy class people"
Apologies upfront for upsetting anyone with that statement, but I just can't stand this kind of attitude.
Apologies upfront for upsetting anyone with that statement, but I just can't stand this kind of attitude.
Dec 16, 2011, 6:29 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 258
Seriously???? C'mon, that's a super short hop. It's not like you were stuck on a prop plane across the atlantic. LH got you there safely, you got good Air Dolomiti Service... IMHO not a single reason to complain.
that sounds like a typical "I'am a SEN/HON and so much better than everyone else around me - how dare you not giving me royal VIP treatment and making me walk thru the cabin past these lowly Economy class people"
Apologies upfront for upsetting anyone with that statement, but I just can't stand this kind of attitude.
that sounds like a typical "I'am a SEN/HON and so much better than everyone else around me - how dare you not giving me royal VIP treatment and making me walk thru the cabin past these lowly Economy class people"
Apologies upfront for upsetting anyone with that statement, but I just can't stand this kind of attitude.
Dec 16, 2011, 6:34 am
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Munich, Bavaria
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 168
STR-MUC flight time doubled?
With departure and approach there's maybe 10 minutes cruise flight left. I doubt you would see much of a difference in flight time on legs <1h between those two aircraft.
With departure and approach there's maybe 10 minutes cruise flight left. I doubt you would see much of a difference in flight time on legs <1h between those two aircraft.
Dec 16, 2011, 6:48 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: PRN
Programs: LH HON* || HH Diamond || Accor Gold
Posts: 1,271
Yes, and I was not alone, the entire C-class was complaining (>10 people, mostly SENs/HONs)
It is not about not being able to but not wanting to due to the price of my ticket
So, next time when your gate changes from A20 to A66, are you are booked in business class, this should give you the justification to claim compensation because you don't "wanna walk..." Walking is good - it makes you healthier...
Man/woman, I wish I had your problems...
Not true, it is -- as I said -- a very small dry roll vs. a standard intra-German LH snack
I sat in row 6 and was directly at the propeller
It is not about not being able to but not wanting to due to the price of my ticket
So, next time when your gate changes from A20 to A66, are you are booked in business class, this should give you the justification to claim compensation because you don't "wanna walk..." Walking is good - it makes you healthier...
Man/woman, I wish I had your problems...
Not true, it is -- as I said -- a very small dry roll vs. a standard intra-German LH snack
I sat in row 6 and was directly at the propeller
Dec 16, 2011, 8:29 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: LH, BA, Hilton
Posts: 1,409
Dec 16, 2011, 9:06 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232