Your rights when an aircraft is downgraded

[Daver6]

We all know if there is an involuntary schedule change, the airline will let you move to a more convenient flight.

What about where you say book SYD to PER in Y and deliberately choose the A330 over 737 as it has an extra inch of legroom. Well ahead of departure day the aircraft is changed to a 737 with a flight a couple of hours later being a A330. Does an involuntary aircraft change allow you to change flights free of charge? What's reasonable here?

 

[Quickstatus]

Does an involuntary aircraft change allow you to change flights free of charge? What's reasonable here?

There is no "involuntary aircraft change" Only "Involuntary schedule changes" and "Involuntary cabin downgrade"
The airline has in the past made one off directions re aircraft change before but these directives do not differentiate between seats in the same cabin

As the cabin type and the schedule has not changed, there is no ability to change FOC in my opinion.
But nothing prevents you asking and pointing out the "downgrade" from your point of view and I hope the airline will look on this favourably.

 

[offshore171]

One question, did it result in a cabin class downgrade? That would be a factor.

 

[Quickstatus]

did it result in a cabin class downgrade

What is the cabin downgrade from Y?

 

[eric2011]

What is the cabin downgrade from Y?

You get a private suite located at the very rear of the plane marked lavatory.

 

[Daver6]

What is the cabin downgrade from Y?

Jetstar

 

[kamchatsky]

Jetstar

Is that what J stands for?

 

[KSC]

From Y to another Y, I would be hard pressed to find the X factor between the aircraft that would build a good case that you have been downgraded.

 

[AIRwin]

From Y to another Y, I would be hard pressed to find the X factor.

EconomyX factor?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We all know if there is an involuntary schedule change, the airline will let you move to a more convenient flight.

What about where you say book SYD to PER in Y and deliberately choose the A330 over 737 as it has an extra inch of legroom. Well ahead of departure day the aircraft is changed to a 737 with a flight a couple of hours later being a A330. Does an involuntary aircraft change allow you to change flights free of charge? What's reasonable here?

Can ring and ask, explaining why. But otherwise as others have said, not much that can be done per the terms and conditions.

As a platinum if you get through to hobart you might have a good chance of success.

 

[tomlee1986]

I doubt you will get much on this as no such thing as involuntary aircraft change

 

[oz_mark]

I've heard of it happening for people in J. Obviously, there is a significant product difference there.Not sure how you'd go with Y!

 

[Daver6]

From Y to another Y, I would be hard pressed to find the X factor between the aircraft that would build a good case that you have been downgraded.

An inch of legroom on a 5 hour flight to be precise.

 

[elanshin]

For the most part this is not something that you can get compensated for as its part of "operations". It can get extremely bad when say you book a QR Q suite flight to suddenly have it turn into one of their "cough" J products.

Airlines will chalk it up to operational necessity and that nowhere on the ticket do they guarantee that aircraft type.

 

[Daver6]

For the most part this is not something that you can get compensated for as its part of "operations". It can get extremely bad when say you book a QR Q suite flight to suddenly have it turn into one of their "cough" J products.

Airlines will chalk it up to operational necessity and that nowhere on the ticket do they guarantee that aircraft type.

Not looking for compensation. Just to change to a flight a couple of hours later that is on the same aircraft type as originally booked, without penalty.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not looking for compensation. Just to change to a flight a couple of hours later that is on the same aircraft type as originally booked, without penalty.

Have you tried calling?

While there is no 'right' to change, Hobart may be sympathetic to a platinum.

 

[lovestotravel]

I was hit with 2 downgrades MEL-PER where I booked A330 J and it was changed to a 737

The A330 times were not convenient.

Cancelled both flights, got a refund

Haven't flown QF since

 

[Daver6]

Have you tried calling?

While there is no 'right' to change, Hobart may be sympathetic to a platinum.

I have. My booking was through Amex Travel so I had to go through them. The put in a request to QF but the response came back negative. I actually feel that if I had booked directly, QF likely would have let me swap. However, I'm sure they won't deal with me as I didn't book directly.

Not really a massive deal, was just wondering what rights apply in this situation. I have my answer.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I have. My booking was through Amex Travel so I had to go through them. The put in a request to QF but the response came back negative. I actually feel that if I had booked directly, QF likely would have let me swap. However, I'm sure they won't deal with me as I didn't book directly.

Not really a massive deal, was just wondering what rights apply in this situation. I have my answer.

We usually also book through Amex (platinum travel ) for the discount and travel credits, but it’s a real PITB if you need to change things, especially if OS. Booking direct is much better for potential stuff ups and changes.

 

[Daver6]

We usually also book through Amex (platinum travel ) for the discount and travel credits, but it’s a real PITB if you need to change things, especially if OS. Booking direct is much better for potential stuff ups and changes.

100% agree. Only reason I booked with them was to burn a travel credit.