Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[Saab34]

You get auto re-routing under Eu261 if QR isn't flying.

Are they automatically doing this or do passengers need to reach out?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are they automatically doing this or do passengers need to reach out?

You need to reach out.

EU261 offers you the choice of re-routing, changing to a later date, or to cancel for a refund. The airline won’t know unless you contact them.

Good idea to familiarise yourself with EU261 and your rights. As soon as the flight is cancelled you are entitled to re-routing, in the same class of travel, to your final destination, even on other airlines. And hotel/melas provided if you need to wait.

 

[Saab34]

You need to reach out.

EU261 offers you the choice of re-routing, changing to a later date, or to cancel for a refund. The airline won’t know unless you contact them.

Good idea to familiarise yourself with EU261 and your rights. As soon as the flight is cancelled you are entitled to re-routing, in the same class of travel, to your final destination, even on other airlines. And hotel/melas provided if you need to wait.

Thanks I’ve got some family due back next month, I just don’t want them to cancel and rebook for more pricey fares, if QR can rebook for them.

Who has QR been rebooking on? CX?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks I’ve got some family due back next month, I just don’t want them to cancel and rebook for more pricey fares, if QR can rebook for them.

Who has QR been rebooking on? CX?

It’s somewhat complicated… they have a list of preferred airlines, and routings. And will try and fly you to DOH so you can then connect to/from QR flights where possible.

They were routing on other carriers to Australia, including Cathay and BA… but now I think most pax will end up going via DOH.

For departures ex UK/Europe QR *must* rebook. But if the passenger chooses to not route via DOH, the option would be a refund.

 

[Brissy1]

New EK fee free cancellation window, apparently.

Cancelled my May EY flight today, wasn't happy with the Abu Dhabi stopover. Was waiting for an Etihad announcement and checking their website, but only found out about the fee free cancellation policy (for flights to 15 May booked before ?Feb I think) from loyalty lobby. Still nothing, that I can see, on EK website.
So to be sure, I cancelled via online chat. Told "up to 45 days to process refund" but at least got an email confirming refund amount almost immediately.
Could, if I wished, rebook the same flights cheaper without the stopover. Or use my refundable TK plan B. Pondering.

 

[RooFlyer]

Wow - would love to have seen the advice that prompted that decision.

Possibly part of it was the fact they put some aircraft into storage and obviously would’ve furloughed some of their crew.

Shorter than post Covid, but I imagine undating currency may come into it.

It’s somewhat complicated… they have a list of preferred airlines, and routings. And will try and fly you to DOH so you can then connect to/from QR flights where possible.

I saw the full list when I was trying to reroute via my travel agent. The list of airlines was long but omitted a few ones you would’ve hoped might be available. Rerouting form Oz to Europe via Nth America not on, at least officially.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I saw the full list when I was trying to reroute via my travel agent. The list of airlines was very long but omitted a few ones you would’ve hoped might be available. Rerouting form Oz to Europe via Nth America not on, at least officially.

The list was far more extensive at the time you were looking to re-route than it is now.

As QR has gradually reinstated its network those options are reducing as they're not required anymore. (Most journeys can now proceed via Doha.)

UK/EU departures have additional options for re-routing, not limited to any specified lists.