Is this something that happens often?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom is visiting from Europe and flying today. She always has a connecting flight in Europe because of where she lives but always avoids US connections because of having to take out her luggage. She is in poor health (cannot walk well, diabetes, chronic pain from arthritis). She found out at the first airport that her flight to the US was cancelled. They are sending her to JFK instead of Chicago, then she has to take a third flight. I know because she called my brother so he could let me know. How do they cancel a huge flight many hours in advance, not for weather reasons? I am worried she is not going to do well at all.

Maybe the scheduled pilot ate the fish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had a bad stretch of flight cancellations. These include plane repairs, navigation computer problems, crews timing out because of delays and so on. A couple of times we've seen the airline takes a plane scheduled for one flight and transfers it to another flight to move passengers who have been stranded for longer. Often they change the plane to another smaller or larger one and change the seat allocation.

It has happened so often to us that we travel with a toothbrush band extra outfit in our cabin baggage.

Thanks. If it is becoming such an issue then I don't think she will be able to come anymore. I guess I don't understand how we can get charged so much for flights and then get a totally different experience, including destination, with zero compensation. There isn't an incentive to make things better for passengers.

When they do cancel, they offer a full refund. If you opt to continue, you may have to deal with a more difficult itinerary. If your mother is going through the EU, she should file for compensation for the disruption - 600 Euros I think.

Our family took a trip to Europe for a wedding, starting from three different places on multiple different airlines (our kids are adults living elsewhere). Every one of us faced delays and schedule changes along the way with causes ranging from a sick passenger, mechanical issues and thunder storms. When our luggage manages to arrive with us, it seems like a miracle.

[Anonymous]

https://thepointsguy.com/airline/guide-eu261-flight-compensation/

Here's an explanation about compensation.

[Anonymous]

Before she heads back, teach your mother how to use Google translate in her phone, so she can communicate in German or French or English or whatever language she needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had a bad stretch of flight cancellations. These include plane repairs, navigation computer problems, crews timing out because of delays and so on. A couple of times we've seen the airline takes a plane scheduled for one flight and transfers it to another flight to move passengers who have been stranded for longer. Often they change the plane to another smaller or larger one and change the seat allocation.

It has happened so often to us that we travel with a toothbrush band extra outfit in our cabin baggage.

Thanks. If it is becoming such an issue then I don't think she will be able to come anymore. I guess I don't understand how we can get charged so much for flights and then get a totally different experience, including destination, with zero compensation. There isn't an incentive to make things better for passengers.

When they do cancel, they offer a full refund. If you opt to continue, you may have to deal with a more difficult itinerary. If your mother is going through the EU, she should file for compensation for the disruption - 600 Euros I think.

Our family took a trip to Europe for a wedding, starting from three different places on multiple different airlines (our kids are adults living elsewhere). Every one of us faced delays and schedule changes along the way with causes ranging from a sick passenger, mechanical issues and thunder storms. When our luggage manages to arrive with us, it seems like a miracle.

Thank you! I am reading about it and since she will be delayed a lot (7 hours) and was told the day off it seems like she will qualify for the refund.

[Anonymous]

This wasn't common until the pandemic. The ATC issues will most likely have an effect too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

Can you write her an email with a note in English that she can show to customer service at JFK to help her with her transfer. Eg" I do not speak English. Can you help me get to the gate for Flight 123 to Chicago".

Include your phone number so customer service can use your phone number to translate if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

Can you write her an email with a note in English that she can show to customer service at JFK to help her with her transfer. Eg" I do not speak English. Can you help me get to the gate for Flight 123 to Chicago".

Include your phone number so customer service can use your phone number to translate if necessary.

She is not going to use her phone because she won't know how to use Wifi and doesn't normally have it on other than for calls. That's why she called my brother while still in home country to let him know. She is very sharp but just not tech-minded so I think she will manage, but it will be stressful for her. She does have many hours to transfer though which is good. I am on the fence about calling the airline because it might scare her to have people just take her away in a wheelchair out of nowhere!

[Anonymous]

Ah. the Joy of Travel.

[Anonymous]

Maintenance is a thing. You know how your car sometimes breaks down? Airplanes can do that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can they cancel a huge flight? Hmm, I don’t know, maybe air traffic controller shortage, flight crew shortage, Newark going “dark” and not having any ground-to-air communications twice in the last few weeks, other airports having problems and “ripple effect” to related flights and crew…

This is in Europe and I know the plane arrived on time (same plane she would have taken back to the US) Also not Newark.

You can’t possibly imagine how a flight would be cancelled? Something broke in the plane, pilot was assigned elsewhere, not enough flight attendants, the list goes on and on. Just because the plane is there doesn’t mean you’re leaving on time.

Have you not flown in the past decade? It’s a $hitshow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maintenance is a thing. You know how your car sometimes breaks down? Airplanes can do that too.

Yes, I've had that happen, sat forever on tarmac, had to leave, come back...but never had a flight cancelled many hours prior due to maintance.

[Anonymous]

If you had several hours’ advance notice why not just ask to move the start of the trip to the next day?

Also 70 is not that old for most people. No reason for the airline to assume she was unable to handle a flight change. If she’s that bad off you need to arrange wheelchair assistance, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This wasn't common until the pandemic. The ATC issues will most likely have an effect too.

Flights being cancelled/delayed wasn't common until 2020?

I will agree that the ATC delays are a "fun" new wrinkle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you had several hours’ advance notice why not just ask to move the start of the trip to the next day?

Also 70 is not that old for most people. No reason for the airline to assume she was unable to handle a flight change. If she’s that bad off you need to arrange wheelchair assistance, etc.

Because she was at the airport when she found out, which is already not near her home (so she stayed in hotel night before) That would have required going back to town airport is in, then back to a hotel, then back to airport. It's not any easier. She is very obviously physically limited so just one look would have told them. And she can manage her connection fine usually because she knows her limits and plans accordingly. This is really pushing it for her having this extra connection.