Air Canada changed our flights!

[Pally]

Was just notified that our flights were changed. So angry. We live in different provinces from our kids. We were to meet in Montreal and fly to Orlando together. We were arriving at 12 noon in MCO. Now we won't arrive until 9:30 pm. It plain sucks. They have cancelled the earlier flight altogether.

 

[bankr63]

Is this a longer range cancellation, or a last minute?

It does suck, but it's not unusual. We've had flights changed far in advance as the airlines rebalance their routes as conditions change (a couple of years back our direct evening flight got changed to a stopover flight as they moved the direct flight to the AM), and sometimes they cancel under booked flights and combine with a second flight to fill the plane (and save on fuel, and save our environment from the emissions of a half full plane). And sometimes they cancel flights because of equipment problems while you're sitting on the plane at the gate. We've had all 3 happen now with AC and or WJ on our Orlando trips.

Long ago learned to roll with the punches, and not let it spoil my Disney high, even if it does shorten my Disney high...

ETA - best one was an overbooked return flight due to an earlier scrub. WJ offered us an extra day in Orlando incl. hotel if we'd agree to delay our return flight. Unfortunately DW is a teacher and had to be at school the next day, but boy was it tempting!

 

[Pally]

Our arrival day is December 20

 

[lauracitawita]

This happened to me last week. I was so angry. We were supposed to arrive around 9:30am and our flight was changed to arrive at 8pm. I called ready for a fight. The customer service rep was so nice. She said, wow, that is a big jump. How is the 8:30am flight for you? She switched all 5 of us to that flight.

I had originally wanted the 8:30am flight, but it was more expensive than the 6:30am flight, so I cheaped out.

Now I have the 8:30 flight for no extra charge.

I would call and see what they can do for you. I think their policy is that if there is more than a 90 minute change you can get a free cancellation as well.

Good luck!!!

 

[Pally]

I did call. There were no other flights available to get us there any earlier. Hard to believe. Very bummed.

 

[ssmurphy28]

I did call. There were no other flights available to get us there any earlier. Hard to believe. Very bummed.

Did you book directly through Air Canada or through an online travel agent? United changed our flight times three times between the time we booked and departed last year. We had paid a little extra to get flights at convenient times to try and avoid the early morning departures with our two young boys. Each time the flight times changed, it wasn't over the 3+ hour threshold, but by the time they changed our flights a third time, they had gone over their own policy, which allowed us to change our flight times at no cost. I called Expedia (who we had booked with) told them exactly which flights I wanted and they were able to update my itinerary exactly the way I wanted it. You probably have a direct flight and probably want to keep it, but do remember that if airlines change your times that drastically, you do have some rights to change or cancel your flights without being hit with penalties.

 

[Pally]

We booked two of our flights using Aeroplan and paid for two. I did go online and check the flights trying different scenarios. There just was nothing available to get us there earlier. Just moved to Newfoundland this time last year. I sometimes feel we are at the "ends of the earth"

 

[dancin Disney style]

Could you fly out a day earlier?

 

[Pally]

Unfortunately at this point no.

 

[hcortesis]

Where are you departing from? I see a 06:15 flight from Montreal on December 20th.

 

[Pally]

I checked all the flights. Montreal is our connecting flight from St. John's Newfoundland. We were also trying to meet our children from Halifax to get a connecting to Orlando. So we cannot get to Montreal at 06:15. Going the day before is not possible unfortunately.

 

[hcortesis]

Oh, o.k., gotcha. Too bad. Hopefully a new mid morning flight will open up for you. Good luck.

 

[Pally]

*Update* Well, maybe the stars have aligned for us. My youngest son will complete his co-op computer sciences job on the 18th. He can get off two weekends from his Farmer's Market job. Oldest son will manage with his senior engineering project.

Air Canada was able to competely change our flights. We are now arriving on the 19th at 7:40pm transferring thorough Toronto instead of Montreal. Travel agent is booking a room only for the 19th at the same resort.

 

[dancin Disney style]

That's fantastic!!!!

 

[LadyBJ]

Glad things worked out for you! I'm flying Delta for my December trip. Flight changed happened to me too, and not just once but twice! I didn't mind the first change as it was just the departure/arrival time, but for the next one, they made our direct flight to a flight with stopover. I was so mad. The point of my booking the original flight is that it's direct as I do not like long layovers. Good thing they were able to change it for me and now it actually works better as I arrive in Anaheim earlier. Always check the policy, call in, and see what they can do for you.

 

[nacho113]

We booked two of our flights using Aeroplan and paid for two. I did go online and check the flights trying different scenarios. There just was nothing available to get us there earlier. Just moved to Newfoundland this time last year. I sometimes feel we are at the "ends of the earth"

I hear you on the "end of the earth" thing, we live in Winnipeg and we feel like we live "in the middle of nowhere" .
No matter where we want to fly, we have to go through a major city, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago etc. to get anywhere

 

[Aladora]

I hear you on the "end of the earth" thing, we live in Winnipeg and we feel like we live "in the middle of nowhere" .
No matter where we want to fly, we have to go through a major city, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago etc. to get anywhere

We're on Vancouver Island out here on the west coast...no matter where we go, it either involves a flight or ferry!

 

[Pally]

I hear you on the "end of the earth" thing, we live in Winnipeg and we feel like we live "in the middle of nowhere" .
No matter where we want to fly, we have to go through a major city, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago etc. to get anywhere

I have a sister who lives in Winnipeg. That is her complaint also. In 2012 her and I went on a Sisters Disney Trip, Food and Wine. Her first time. We wanted to meet at an airport and fly down to Orlando together. It was a challenge. Although at that time I did live in Halifax, not as bad as St. John's, NL.

We're on Vancouver Island out here on the west coast...no matter where we go, it either involves a flight or ferry!

I have a brother who was in Victoria for about one year. So I have heard of this problem also, with the ferry especially.

I just hope that the weather co-operates. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[NFLDERS]

We booked two of our flights using Aeroplan and paid for two. I did go online and check the flights trying different scenarios. There just was nothing available to get us there earlier. Just moved to Newfoundland this time last year. I sometimes feel we are at the "ends of the earth"

I recall your frustration. On one visit to "The Rock" we (my mom and I) waited all day long after an early morning departure cancellation. At least we were minutes away from the Airport at a relatives home. Finally, we got the call about 11 pm a plane was ready. My face must have been somewhat animated because the plane had a very large polar bear motif, and as I suspected it was frigid inside. Albeit, it got us (My mom and I) to Toronto at 3 am!

Then, we had to drive home to Niagara area. My poor Dh had been waiting at the airport with very few updates from Air Canada.

I'm guessing if we had been in St. John's the scenario may have been different but I'm doubtful.

 

[Pally]

I recall your frustration. On one visit to "The Rock" we (my mom and I) waited all day long after an early morning departure cancellation. At least we were minutes away from the Airport at a relatives home. Finally, we got the call about 11 pm a plane was ready. My face must have been somewhat animated because the plane had a very large polar bear motif, and as I suspected it was frigid inside. Albeit, it got us (My mom and I) to Toronto at 3 am!

Then, we had to drive home to Niagara area. My poor Dh had been waiting at the airport with very few updates from Air Canada.

I'm guessing if we had been in St. John's the scenario may have been different but I'm doubtful.

I stopped counting the delays we have experienced. Hopefully with their new system which will be competed soon it will reduce those delays. We can only hope. We have no other choices

They had actually changed our return flight also. I have no idea why. We were arriving at 4pm and they changed it to 1:27 am the next day. No way. We have an 1+ drive to get home and hubby has to work the next day. So we had them change it back to our original tickets. Yeesh.