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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any Airline staff about? Can I do this? Miss flight 1 of 2?

32 replies

Faete · 16/01/2017 14:27

I'm flying Thursday when the strikes are on. Heard nothing yet about my flight which gets me to LHR for my international flight.

Even if my British Airways fight isn't cancelled I think it's going to be very bust with delays and I only have 3 hours inbetween landing and my longhaul flight.

Can I just get the train down there the day before. Miss the domestic flight and get on the international flight.

It was all purchased as one journey.

If I don't check in for my domestic flight will they give away my seat on the long haul?

I'm so stressed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:29

And I can't phone to ask. Lines are chockablock.

OP posts:
WTAFF · 16/01/2017 14:34

I don't think you can. I think the system will automatically cancel the whole itinerary if you don't show up for your first flight.

Obviously I'm not an expert, this is just my understanding. I may in fact be completely wrong!

I would suggest perhaps messaging BA on Facebook or something like that. Just to be on the safe side.

Alternatively, I've always found the BA Executive Club forum on Flyertalk a mine of useful information. Perhaps ask on there? They have far more knowledgeable people on there than me!Smile

CeeCeeEnnEss · 16/01/2017 14:35

No you can't. If you don't show up for the first one your whole itinerary is automatically cancelled.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 16/01/2017 14:35

If it's the same airline you will be cancelled from the second flight

belleandsnowwhite · 16/01/2017 14:35

No, you will be a no show for both legs of the journey. They will probably sell your seats to some one on stand by.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 16/01/2017 14:36

If it was purchased together you'll get put as a no show for both as it's classed as one journey.

Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:37

Fuck. I don't know what to do.

My 2nd flight is the only direct flight. I have to make it :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:38

I'm really stressed and BA just keep saying we have no information.

OP posts:
TheEmmaDilemma · 16/01/2017 14:39

You need to stay on the phone however long it takes and try and move that first flight then.

But yes, it will cancel the second leg.

CiderwithBuda · 16/01/2017 14:40

Can you book a new ticket just on the second leg and then cancel your entire other booking?

Rosa · 16/01/2017 14:43

Agree its a big no ... You will be cancelled off . You have to wait until the day before or until they have decided what flighst will be running. Then if one or both of the legs are cancelled you can take action . Re booking, taking the train or whatever. Even if you get through now they are unlikley to alter the booking until they know themselves what flights will be cancelled or not.

Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:45

The first domestic flight is BA.
The 2nd flight is international and another airline.

OP posts:
Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:45

The 2nd flight is pretty much guaranteed. It's not BA.

It's just getting to bloody Heathrow thats the problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:46

Tickets for the international flight are much more expensive now. I can't rebook. And I wouldn't get a refund in time anyway to rebook.

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Rosa · 16/01/2017 14:47

If its booked on one ticket then it doesn't matter what the airline is as it will be one world or whatever they call themselves.

Rosa · 16/01/2017 14:49

BUT strike or not they will have to offer you alternatives to get you to your destination . Might not be on teh flight or the day you want but they will have to reprotect you . I have had guests on Lufthansa put on Ba or Air France - that are out of the Alliance / group that they normally operate within.

Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:54

I know Rosa but I had this happen last year and it was a fucking nightmare.

I booked this flight and paid more because it was a simple direct journey from Heathrow :(

OP posts:
canyou · 16/01/2017 14:54

Ok if you feel you can get to heathrow without using leg 1 stay in the line and ask BA to rebook leg one for another time (there maybe a fee) that way you can keep the international and return flts. I have had to do this before but you need to sort this before day of travel as a no show cancels both flights

Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:56

I ended up on a 1.5 hour flight followed by an 8 hour flight. 4 hours at airport and then another 2.5 hour flight.

I just can't face it again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Faete · 16/01/2017 14:57

Its not a case of waiting in a phone que. They just say we are busy on an automated message then hang up. There's no option to wait.
So frustrating.

OP posts:
DoNotBlameMeIVotedRemain · 16/01/2017 15:07

I think you should call the day before. If the first leg isn't cancelled then get on that they will have to get you there even if you miss the link. If it is cancelled but 2nd leg OK ask them about getting there by train.

Madcats · 16/01/2017 15:09

Sounds a bit daft, but can you try getting hold of them on Twitter or Facebook messenger? My local train company are brilliant at picking up messages and replying to them (whereas the phoning them is soul-destroying and generally useless).

Good luck - how stressful (though I have to praise BA when we were snowed in at Gatwick once and then snowed out of the UK a couple of weeks later).

loobyloo1234 · 16/01/2017 15:10

3 hours between flights? Why would that not be enough time OP? even if there were an hours delay you're still totally fine?

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 16/01/2017 15:11

I think you need to get off MN and get on hold

If you have done an online check in for the second flights you are ON it, and why would a non BA airline cancel you cos you missed a connecting flight

Personally I would pop to an airport (if you can) and sort it with the counter staff there

are you chasing BA, or the travel agent, or your airline for the main flight?

Isabella70 · 16/01/2017 15:13

I've done something similar before, that is not used the outward portion of a flight but turned up for the return journey. They had cancelled the return ticket, but they did let me on the flight in the end. However they had no obligation to apparently.

They did say that if you warn them you are going to do it then they won't cancel the second part, but maybe this varies from airline to airline. It would seem that the only safe option is to speak to them I'm afraid.