EU261, cancelled connection and predating duty of care

BA cancelled my EDI-LHR flight with a mail sent 13 days and some hours before departure. From LHR I was meant to take a Lufthansa flight (to Europe) on the same day, which has not been cancelled.

Now, I don't know what to do: normally, I'd just claim for compensation and use the money to travel to London e.g. by train. But now compensation sounds very difficult to obtain due to covid (although COVID wasn't mentioned at all in the cancellation mail from BA). I understand that right to care is easier, but this normally applies to the time up to a subsequent flight. Since BA is apparently offering the chance of free rescheduling for the day before (which would allow me to catch the Lufthansa flights), I was wondering whether I could both take the rescheduling and claim expenses (e.g., under EU261's duty to care) for the one-night accommodation between the rescheduled flight and the original date of the cancelled flight. I am trying to call BA, but I'm on a queue, so I thought to ask here about any advice or feedback about this problem. TIA

PS: I bought all the tickets myself directly on the airlines' websites, in case this matters

Best Answer

If a flight is cancelled due to COVID-19, duty of care and re-routing or a refund is still due; only compensation isn't.

So request it from the airline, quoting EC261 if need be. They'll likely push you to go for a voucher instead, but you have every right to refuse it.

EDIT: didn't notice this is an early arrival. Doc's answer is thus correct.

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What happens if connecting flight is Cancelled?

A few airlines go beyond this basic requirement to include a provision that if your onward connecting flight from a hub airport is canceled on an outbound trip, and you no longer want to continue the trip, the airline will return you to your original airport at no charge and refund the entire value of the ticket.

What are my rights if Ryanair flight is Cancelled?

You are entitled to a Ryanair refund if your flight was cancelled and you did not take an alternative flight offered by the airline. If you were not offered an alternative flight at all, you are also entitled to a Ryanair refund.

What is EU261 disruption compensation?

EC Regulation 261/2001 is an EU regulation. It protects passengers who've suffered a flight delay, cancellation or been denied boarding due to overbooking. Under this legislation, if your flight's eligible, an airline can pay up to $700 in compensation.

How long do you have to claim EU261?

EU Reg 261 requires airlines to compensate passengers when flight delays or cancellations result in passengers reaching their final destination more than three hours later than originally scheduled. Passengers are only entitled to claim compensation if the delay or cancellation was within the airline's control.

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