NEWS: BA flights changes – what to do about downgrades & time changes + 2 new airport openings

BA flights changes – what to do about downgrades & changes

It’s that time of year again…. no, not Christmas. The one where BA makes major timetable changes as it assigns its fleet to the timetable for next year, and potentially mucks up all your planes. This is one of the issues with booking far in advance. I booked flights to Las Vegas via Inverness on a good First deal and have now been hit by a second lot of time changes that have screwed up my schedule! BA makes time changes twice a year usually in July and then December/January.

Reader S also wrote in about his downgrade due to a swap to the A350 on the route is was flying in First. 

So here are a few guidelines if you are affected:

Time changes

• You will initially receive a notification of the changes by email probably titled “Flight Schedule Change” from BA customer services. 
• Sometimes the changes will result in something that doesn’t physically work with connecting flights such as one flight leaves before you even arrive on the previous flight.
• First thing, don’t panic. If it is months ahead you have plenty of time.
• Often you will get a second email with more realistic options a few days later as it self corrects.
• In the meantime, it is worth looking at the options yourself. If there is something you really want to do such as moving around the other flights to fit then you can give BA a call. Sometimes this can be done using manage my booking so it is worth having a look at that first.
• In the few days after the changes are announced, the phone lines will be very very busy. So it is best to wait for a few days if you can before ringing.
• If the flights don’t work for you, you can always look at flying from an alternate airport at a similar time to the original departure such as changing from Heathrow to Gatwick.
• The change is regarded as significant if it is over two hours. If it is under two hours and the flights work, there is little BA have to do but you can always ask.
• If it is a significant change they should be more flexible in trying to help you. You can choose to just cancel for a full refund as well.
• If the changes are more than two weeks in advance you are not entitled to compensation.

Downgrades

This is becoming more frequent as BA introduce the A350s and more aircraft with no first class. You have a couple of options in this scenario:

• You could accept the downgrade and get the EU261 compensation. This is a percentage of the fare back depending on the distance of the flight. This only applies to the segment of the flights that is downgraded. Therefore the refund will be minimal.
• This compensation should also apply to Avios booking although sometimes this seems to be harder to get out of BA than actual cash.
• You could cancel the booking and get a refund
• You could look at nearby alternative airports and see if they can do this for you instead. Airports within 300 miles are considered as alternatives. For example, for Austin, you could choose to fly from Dallas or Houston instead. 

Berlin Brandenburg airport finally has an opening date – only 8 years late

Berlin is one of my least favourite airports. It probably doesn’t help that I fly from there at peak times, but on BA it is not a fun experience. Flying in is pleasant enough as each gate has its own baggage area. However, when you fly out the lounge us pre-security and every time I have been there has been at least a 20-minute queue for security and there is no priority queue as each gate has it’s own security checkpoint. The airport is old, too small and with few facilities. 

Even if you don’t plan on visiting Berlin (but you should, it’s a great city) there are often some good Ex EU bargains from there with Qatar, so you may end up there anyway! The good news is that an opening date has finally been set for the Berlin Brandenburg airport on 31 October 2020. How an airport manages to be eight years late and billions of Euros over budget I have no idea! Nine opening dates have come and gone but it is looking increasingly likely that they may actually make this one! The new airport is 12 miles south of Berlin and should deliver a much-improved passenger experience when it eventually opens. 

Abu Dhabi new terminal Midfield nearing completion

Abu Dhabi’s airport has been one of the flaws with flying Etihad on connecting flights as passenger numbers have long outgrown the terminals. Originally the new Midfield Terminal was believed to be opening at the end of this year, but it now looks certain to be next year. The exact final opening date is not known, but we do know that construction is 96% complete and passenger testing started in June this year. The new terminal will feature a transit hotel, Duty-Free shops and restaurants with 28,000 square metres of space and premium lounges covering 30,000 square metres.

There will also be an 8,400m² indoor park which will group Mediterranean plants and characteristics in the middle and desert landscapes at its corner. Finally, there will also be a museum exhibiting heritage and culture items.