A bit puzzled by so many complaints of flight changes

[Had2stopLurking]

Is this more of a problem on the East coast? I read horror stories of flights being changed daily on here.

We always fly frontier and I can probably give you the schedule for some of their flights better than some Frontier Reps , but, we fly in and out of DIA (their hub) to any destination. Barring weather delays or something, they pretty much stick to a certain schedule for all of their flights. For instance, I know that at some times of the year, they don't offer certain flights to SNA or Cancun, but they offer the same flight schedule each time they bring them back into the schedule.

I guess I'm just confused as to why it seems so many East Coast based airlines change flight times/schedules so often.

 

[Lewisc]

There is competition for passengers flying from the NE to Florida. Airlines are offering money losing fares. Some DIS are still looking for $59 fares. Some airlines in this market see the need to continually tweak their schedule. Particularly airlines that accept reservations 11 months in advance.

 

[goofy4tink]

Delta, in particular, books their flights about 11 months in advance. So..that's plenty of time to make changes. Those airlines that don't book this way, make fewer changes. SW is very good this way...they don't book all that far out, so there is little to no need to make any changes. Not sure if it's an eastern seaboard thing or not though.

 

[Had2stopLurking]

Thanks Lewis and Goofy! It just seemed odd to me that flight changes happen so often with some airlines. I thought they had to have their flight schedules set a certain amount of time in advance (barring weather or other issues). I grew up out east, but, that was back when you could still smoke on airplanes and got a meal with your flight. (now I'm just aging myself).

That was also when they would simply de-ice your plane and send you out into the tundra. I can't believe I survived some of those flights

 

[brenda1966]

I think particular airlines do it more often. Frontier and SW seem to stick to their schedule pretty consistently. My friend and I each had flights (different days and different destinations) on United change their times by an hour. I guess an hour isn't too bad considereing some of the changes i've heard others complain about.

 

[Lewisc]

Southwest is currently accepting reservations through October 30. The schedule is set. With very few exceptions SW will only make changes necessary due to weather or mechanical issues.

Airlines that accept reservations 11 months in advance are booking against a projected schedule. Passengers are chasing deeply discounted, unprofitable fares. Airlines tweak the schedule.

 

[acpalmer]

I think it just all depends--we flew Frontier from DIA to MCO last year and they changed our flight time by nearly three hours--not moving us to a different flight--our same flight changed by almost three hours. That was the first time that Frontier has done that to us and like you, we often fly them since we live in Denver, but I think every airline does it at one time or another.

 

[debster812]

This is perfect timing! We travel to FL every February from the Northeast, during Feb School Vacation week, which is also President's Week, so I always book as soon as the flights become available, with the caveat, that I know that the times WILL change.

I checked my Delta Itinerary today, and lo and behold, they have canceled the non-stop we were on (6pm BOS to MCO) and put us on a flight with a connection and plane change in Atlanta. I suspect they were trying to keep us close to our departure time.

I called, spent about 5 minutes on the phone, and got our itinerary switched to a non-stop that leaves BOS at 10:15am, and arrives around 1:39. It actually gets us in so we can have a half day at WDW on arrival, which is nice.

 

[reiella]

Is this more of a problem on the East coast? I read horror stories of flights being changed daily on here.

We always fly frontier and I can probably give you the schedule for some of their flights better than some Frontier Reps , but, we fly in and out of DIA (their hub) to any destination. Barring weather delays or something, they pretty much stick to a certain schedule for all of their flights. For instance, I know that at some times of the year, they don't offer certain flights to SNA or Cancun, but they offer the same flight schedule each time they bring them back into the schedule.

I guess I'm just confused as to why it seems so many East Coast based airlines change flight times/schedules so often.

Actually, I think in your chase, it's Frontier is just awesome. They strive really hard to have their flights match the times. It may have changed in recent times due to some changes, but the last time I went through DIA you could trip over their smug bragging of their on-time flights.

 

[seashoreCM]

Has anyone noticed, is it the schedule for the whole month that got revamped, or is it the 6:30 nonstop got cancelled on August 8, the 10:30 nonstop got cancelled on August 9, the 2:15 flight got cancelled on August 10, etc.?

 

[Detailor]

So, the reason for carriers making changes just makes business sense - airlines trying to be as profitable as possible given some of those competitive, low-ball pricing tactics of the discount carriers. And they employ all sorts of strategies to reach profitability - canceling flights that reduce airport fees, changing the size of aircraft, etc.

But the OP's question about all the complaining about flight changes is a good one, too. We hear a lot of complaints like 'I made my reservation early so I could get a non-stop,' 'They moved my flight from 6am to 6pm' or vice versa, (and the less rational complaints about delays due to mechanical or weather problems that airlines have no control over). Why do these people complain? Generally, because they are inexperienced flyers and just don't realize that changes are part air travel. Maybe the airlines should be more proactive with customers who book several months out and provide them with repeated warnings - both during and after the booking process - that their flight times could and likely will change.

Dick Taylor

 

[kehlyrsmom]

I booked with AirTran for our Sept flights back in Feb, the only reason I even considered Airtran was the fact that the were offering a direct flights. Since we are traveling with two children on the Autism Spectrum for the first time by ourselves we wanted to get on the plane and not get off until we get to MCO.

Now AirTran has dropped our direct return flight, I did not receive any notification from them I just happend to find out about it by checking their website. Now we have a connecting flight in Atlanta. My father travles a lot and he would have given me frequent flier miles for free if we wanted a connecting flight. While I understand Airlines may need to change there flight times, it is more the fact they did not contact me and offer me a solution of my chosing not just switch me without me knowing. When I pay for a specific service I expect it. I'm asking for a refund I doubt I will get it but I am not getting the service I purchased

 

[Haley]

Schedule changes are very common with airlines- some airlines more than others. AirTran and Delta seem notorious for them.

When the airline makes a major change, they give you a few days to either accept it or call them and switch to another flight with no change fee/fare difference.

You can't rely on the airline to notify you about the change, although I've found most airlines email you if you give them your email when you book.

Like someone said in a prior post- the people you see say they are going to sue the airline or "they aren't allowed to do this!!" over a schedule change just haven't flown a lot to know schedule changes are very common.