Airlines Changing Times, flights??

[momof2OH]

Would anyone who has flown before, possibly know how many times an airline will change flights and the times of flights? I purchased our tickets a few weeks ago (going in June) and the flight down is already changed with new times. Also- what happens if they change them to a times that's not good for us?

TIA

 

[sarahsmom73]

Our flight time has changed 3 times since I bought the tickets this past summer. Luckily it has only changed by about 1/2 hour...

 

[goofy4tink]

We've had flight times changed, and flights cancelled!! I tend to check on my flight everyday so that I know right away if there is a change. Then I call them and try to get something that is close to what I need. Delta/Song has been pretty easy to work with so far.

 

[thatchicktrish]

Our flight times have changed twice, once they moved the departing flight back a half hour (from 7:30am to 8:30am) they just changed it again today, back to 7:30am. I'm not really sure what you do if they totally cancel your flight or if they change it to a time that isn't good, hopefully someone else can come in and give some advice, I don't fly very often.

 

[mobetsy]

Our flight schedules have been changed at least 3 times since we got the tickets 6 mos ago or so, but the shifts have never been more than 90 minutes, and they didn't interfere with getting the same connecting flights. I think I've read that you do have some leverage in changing flights w/o a charge if the airline has significantly altered the flight schedule; if that happens, you'd probably want to call as soon as you see the change, and don't agree to anything until you are certain it will work for you.

 

[Jestocost]

There's no rhyme or reason to it, really. You can book eight months in advance and not have anything change, or you can book one month in advance and have a change. Here in St. Louis changes have been pretty common since American cut their daily flights in half on Nov. 1 and they've been tweaking the schedule constantly since then. If you're in a more stable market, your risk of getting a change might be smaller.

Usually the impact is relatively minor; an hour or less one way or the other. However, if the change will cause you to miss a connection or the flight is cancelled, the airline should be willing to accomodate any reasonable request. Of course, that assumes that there are any other viable options. Your chances of getting a free change are best if you have another option on the original airline. If the change you want requires switching to another airline, you may have more trouble.

 

[sgtdisney]

I could be wrong here, but I believe that the airlines aren't required to do anything for a traveller if the flight times have changed less than 2 hours or if you are going to miss a connection because of the new schedule. When the schedule changes substantially or your flight is cancelled and you are assigned to another, the airline can try to adjust the flights to better suit your schedule based on availability. If you and the airlines can't work something out then they will refund your ticket cost.

The schedules have changed a lot recently here in Chicago at O'Hare as both American and United are adjusting flight departures to ease up congestion during the peak travel times.

 

[momof2OH]

Thanks for all the replys. We are booked through Continental for June 8. When I bought the tickets, the flight time was departing (CLE) at 7:05pm and arriving (MCO) at 9:20pm. Now the times are: departing (CLE) at 5:15pm and arriving (MCO) at 7:34pm. About 2 hours difference.

 

[inkkognito]

ATA likes to play around with their times, although usually the difference isn't too significant. Once, when it was a couple of hours, they changed the day at my request since the new time was really bad for us (too early to get to the airport from work). I would think they'd be willing to work with you unless all the other flights are really full.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mom_rules]

We booked with Continental once. They changed the flight times and we did miss our connection. They gave us the option of waiting until the next day's flight or chance it and take the changed flight-we took the changed flight and missed the connection in New Jersey. They did manage to get us on the next connection (about 2 hours later) but if they hadn't we were told we would have to find accomodations for the night and wait until the next day (our expense).

 

[BrerMama]

We're flying Air Tran. Our departure flights haven't changed much, except we now have a few more minutes to make our connecting flight. Our return flights have changed a lot, though. Originally we were to leave Orlando at 6:30. Then our connecting flight from Atlanta to Wichita got moved up and we could no longer make the connection if we left Orlando at that time. So they moved us up to the 2:50 pm flight. That's 3 1/2 hours! There was nothing we could really do, though, except add another day to our trip and I didn't really want to do that. Then last Friday I noticed that our Atl-Wichita flight was moved back to close to the original time. Sure enough, on Saturday there was a 5:55 pm flight from Orlando that would allow us to make the connection. I called Air Tran and asked them to move us back to the later flight. No problem at all and they did not charge us. However, I can no longer check my itinerary online through my travel agency (still showing the old times) so I'm nervous about using online check-in. I hope I can still use it and get good seats!

 

[Blondiex46]

I am going to check mine, I was not aware of any of this, thanks

Just checked and it is the same. Now I have the gate #'s which I didn't have before. Getting way excited and the boys are tired of hearing me say YYIIIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!