Last-Minute Flight Time Changes Leave Passengers Stranded
Airlines are facing criticism for making significant flight time changes as little as 14 days before departure, leaving passengers scrambling to find alternative arrangements at short notice and potentially facing hefty additional costs. A recent surge in complaints has highlighted the issue, with affected passengers reporting inconvenient take-off times, loss of holiday days, and extra expenses for transfers or accommodation. Despite these problems, there's no evidence that airlines have increased flight time changes in recent times. Passengers may assume their departure time is set once they've booked, but airline terms and conditions often include sneaky clauses stating this isn't guaranteed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises that airlines should notify passengers of schedule changes at least 14 days in advance, and substantial changes may entitle them to a refund or alternative flight. However, passengers are finding it challenging to secure these remedies at short notice. Airlines can make these changes to consolidate flights due to seasonal demands, new routes, or cancellations. While airlines are not breaking any rules with these last-minute changes, passengers are left to bear the brunt of the inconvenience and additional costs. If the time change is substantial, passengers are entitled to cancel their contract and demand a refund. However, securing refunds or alternative flights at short notice can be difficult, leaving passengers in a precarious position.
