Should airlines let you change flights for free if they swap to a different aircraft type?

[Mattg]

I've seen a lot of posts like these over the years:

J

Thread 'Equipment change on PER-MEL'

Today at 11:55 AM

I know this happens a lot, but my (JNB-)PER-MEL segment in late Sept has disappointingly been changed from A330 to 737.

I've tried calling a couple of times to get it moved to an alternative flight on a 330, however, no luck so far (they want to charge a change fee + fare diff).

One agent did comment that she checked, and it's because of the Middle East issues they've swapped a lot of them out, and they may well swap them back. Either way, I'd still like to move, don't want to chance it on a "maybe".

Anyone think it's worth persisting? Any approaches I can lean on?

Thanks!

• Josh
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

Basically, someone books a flight expecting a particular aircraft type, then the airline swaps it out for an "inferior" one. The airline then refuses to let the passenger change their flight to remain on their preferred aircraft type, without charging the usual change fees.

Should airlines let passengers change to another flight on the originally booked aircraft type for free, if one is available?

FWIW I once booked an Asiana Boeing 767 flight on a domestic route within South Korea. They changed the plane to an A321. I specifically wanted to fly on the 767, so called Asiana and they happily moved me to a later 767 flight at no cost.

 

[Daver6]

I think it's reasonable for them to allow you to change if the difference is material in terms of the seat. Eg, QF A330 J verse 737 J. Probably not if you're in Y as the seat is pretty much the same.

</2 cents>

 

[AIRwin]

FWIW I once booked an Asiana Boeing 767 flight on a domestic route within South Korea. They changed the plane to an A321. I specifically wanted to fly on the 767, so called Asiana and they happily moved me to a later 767 flight at no cost.

How long after booking or in advance of departure?

 

[Forg]

Their terms of service are pretty-much “we will get you there in what we call the same product-class as what you bought” …. but then they spend lots of money on newer aircraft before the airframe is officially worn-out, internal refurbs, celebrity chefs, outfitting showers in certain aircraft, and a fair bit of etcetera-etcetera-etcetera/KingOfSiam.

So what you’re buying is an onboard shower & a feast prepared by Gordon Ramsay at your seat while he screams abuse at you & your own 3-bed 2-bath 3-toilet suite … and yet what you’re agreeing to is that you’ll pay for all that but if Something happens and they shove you the luggage-compartment of a Cessna 172 (with a First Class sticker on the outside of course) then that’s cool.

I guess the question is whether the cost (and there would have to be a calculable cost) of providing the ability for all passengers to choose the same aircraft type is an extra cost that passengers would be willing to pay for fares?
I think I would in some circumstances, but not in others … there are times I choose Jetstar & cost is more important than the chance of not getting there on time, there are other times I - well now I think about it, I did also choose Jetstar once because 787.

I suspect to answer this “should they” question I’d probably want those numbers/costs laid-out in front of me.

I booked a CX flight around February (I think) for now, the cheapest flights on the days I wanted weren’t the ones AFF told me had their new fitout (“Aria suites”?) for the leg HKG-SYD and I went for those. About 3wks later the HKG-SYD flight was canned and I had to choose a replacement, their system let me choose an Aria suite (?) flight for no extra cost. But that was still 2-3 months prior to flying …

 

[jase05]

Not sure if they still do it as have never needed it but QR did let you swap for free if your flight on a QSuite equipped aircraft gets subbed out

 

[RooFlyer]

Not sure if they still do it as have never needed it but QR did let you swap for free if your flight on a QSuite equipped aircraft gets subbed out

Still do.