We're smack in the middle of one of the busiest travel seasons of the year — which means Gábor Lukács is just as busy.
As president of the advocacy group Air Passenger Rights, Lukács spends a lot of time helping travellers navigate disputes with airlines.
His biggest piece of advice? If your flight is delayed or cancelled, know your rights.
"The most important right to bear in mind is your right to complete your travel as quickly as possible," Lukács said during a recent appearance on our Inside the Village podcast. "Airlines do have an obligation to re-book you, and that obligation includes — in some cases depending on the circumstances — re-booking on competitor airlines. They may tell you: 'We don't do it. It's not our policy to do it.' But in some situations, if you look at the wording of the air passenger protection regulations, it's quite clear you do have the right to be booked on a competitor airline."
"And if they don't do it themselves, you can buy yourself a ticket and then make the original airline pay for it," he continued. "It's not an easy task, but you do have that right. If you have urgent travel, I would not just sit around and let the airline shortchange you."
You can watch the full interview HERE.
Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.
Every episode can be found HERE. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.
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BayToday.ca
unfortunately the airlines like to play "fast and furious" with the rules . Also if a commotion is caused because the passenger didn't like what happened they will quickly call security who will be on the airlines side until the facts are presented . So keep a level head and your cool when dealing with their staff at the airport .
OrilliaMatters.com
From my recent experience: make sure you keep copies of the notifications they send you regarding delays/cancelations and the reasons for them. If you receive these notifications through an airline app (push notifications) they will disappear from your phone after 24 hours. Take a screen shot of each one that comes in so you have documentation later.
In my case, I went after them after they cancelled my flight and I had to rebook on another airline. They refused to rebook me at the time. Initially they denied my claim, saying that weather caused the cancellation. Fortunately I had saved a copy of the original notification which stated the problem was caused by a shortage of crew (the airline's fault and within their control, unlike weather)
Also, their initial offer was a flight credit valid for one year. This was presented as if they were doing me a favour and there was no choice. But I refused it and demanded the cash to which I was entitled.
OrilliaMatters.com
Great advise!