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

[JackMiles]

Is that because you stopped all that walking?

Exactly. Discussing aviation esoterica at a brisk pace made it difficult for people to keep up.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Of course airlines should let you swap if there has been a material change in the seat type.

I don’t know why they don’t.

airline conditions of carriage and other caveats we drafted more than half a century ago… time they were updated.

Last minute substitution is perhaps understandable, but when it’s done well in advance, just let the passenger change! Even for last minute, give the passenger a choice to take a later flight FOC.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

So when the airline changes from 737 to A330, you should pay more?

I've always thought airlines should be instantly paying passengers while boarding large cash sums if:
- Wifi does not work
- IFE does not work
- Meals not available
- Broken seat

Additionally, provide an instant full refund of ticket+taxes & provide additional cash compensation & pax still flys if a passenger is downgraded in cabin.

"Our job is to get you there safely" is the oldest excuse, dreamed up by lifelong airline employees is the most toxic thing going imo.
Sadly the airline industry pays extremely low vs other career paths and thus attracting new thinking is nearly impossible.

 

[blackcat20]

Given we couldn't even get a replacement for a cancelled flight, I wouldn't hold my breath...

 

[Haplo]

If you are in Y then it probably wouldnt matter too much if you move from wide body to narrow body.

If you are in J and it is short haul then I think the airline probably doesnt need to compensate.

However if you are in long haul J and they put you in a narrow body then you should be compensated because you paid for a flat bed which you are not going to get in a narrow body.

 

[AuSammy]

If you are in Y then it probably wouldnt matter too much if you move from wide body to narrow body.

If you are in J and it is short haul then I think the airline probably doesnt need to compensate.

However if you are in long haul J and they put you in a narrow body then you should be compensated because you paid for a flat bed which you are not going to get in a narrow body.

Some airlines have flat bed in narrow body