Iberia changed my flight and I now have a 24+ hour layover in Madrid, what are my rights?
I have been researching this for some time now, but can't seem to find a definite answer to my worries.
In May '15 I booked a ticket through a travel agent for the trip: Rio de Janeiro-->Madrid, Madrid-->Copenhagen (in February '16). Both flights are with IBERIA/IBERIA EXPRESS. In September '15 I got an email from IBERIA that the departure of my connecting flight from Madrid to Copenhagen had been changed to the next day, which gives me a layover time of about 25 hours in Madrid.
What are my rights? Can I make them pay a hotel, can I get a refund, can I make them pay another connecting flight?
Best Answer
A flight changed to the next day is essentially the same as a long delay/cancellation as far as EU air passenger rights are concerned. But if you have been informed more than two weeks before departure, you only have a choice between going through with the alternative flights they are offering and cancelling your booking (in which case you would get your money back – even for a non-refundable fare – but they obviously would not have to transport you and you would have to make alternative plans yourself).
Financial compensation and additional support only apply if you are delayed on short notice (and especially if you are already en-route and, say, stuck at your layover point). If that's the case, under EU rules, the airline should both make sure you reach your destination, provide food and board as applicable and pay you some money for the delay (it's not even a refund, it might very well be higher than what you paid for your ticket - I have seen that with EasyJet for example).
Finally, even if you are not legally entitled to anything, it cannot hurt to ask. You might get something as a courtesy (perhaps more likely if you are a frequent flyer or travel in a premium class?) and at least one airline offers a complimentary hotel night or a tour of their hub city under some condition as a matter of course, even if there was no delay (see 12 hour stopover in Istanbul (Atatürk)).
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What to do if connecting flight is rescheduled?
In case of delay or cancellation of the connecting flight at the point of origin which leads to the possibility of a missed connection at the point of transit, the passenger shall have right to choose a refund, or a credit for future travel on IndiGo, or re-booking onto an alternative IndiGo flight at no additional ...Can I get off a connecting flight?
You can get off at the layover stop, but checked luggage will keep on flying to the final destination.How do I get a refund from Iberia?
If you bought your ticket with Avios or Avios&Money, please request a change or refund through the Call Centre or by filling in the Iberia Plus help form. If you request a refund, we'll credit the Avios to your Iberia Plus account and refund the taxes to the payment card you used to buy your ticket.Can I change my connecting flight time?
Rules: Flights may be confirmed up to 24 hours before the new flight time. The new flights have to be on the same routing as you were originally ticketed on, so you can't change your connecting city to arrive home earlier. Also, note that basic economy tickets aren't eligible for same day confirmed or standby travel.My AWFUL Iberia Business Class Flight to Madrid
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