Change of flight..........

[SweetMommy]

I booked my trip back in February for December. I knew booking my flight so far out left me w/ the possibility that my flight could change. My original departure from home was at 3:15 on a direct flight to MCO. I specifically went for a direct flight b/c I've never flown before and have slight anxiety so I didn't want to set off an attack by having to switch planes. I got a letter in the mail today stating my flight had been changed to leaving at 2:20 and switching planes in Atlanta! I'm having anxiety just typing this. So I called Disney and a very nice woman talked to me and said there is nothing that can be done today b/c Delta does not have office hours on Sunday. She told me to call back during the week between 9 and 5 and they will be more than happy to call Delta for me and try and work something out. And if Delta does agree to let me have the only direct flight they have for my departure day (w/ no fee to me) I will be leaving at 7am instead. Which is not so bad b/c I basically am gaining almost a whole day in Disney. But the CM I spoke w/ didn't sound very optimistic that Delta would cooperate. Please everyone pray for me.

 

[carolmp]

Don't panic yet. I am also flying Delta for the first time (we are used to flying Northwest). I booked my flights in March for a Nov trip. I have had my flights change four times so far. I had non-stop flights, then for about a month I had to change planes in Memphis. I was resigned to that, and just last week they changed my flights again to non-stop! The times always seem to be about the same time, usually the flights are within 30 minutes of the original times I booked.

My new philosophy is that I just want to get to Disney, and however I get there, I will deal with it. Hopefully your flights will get changed back to direct flights. It seems odd that they would have originally offered the direct flight, and then change it to a non-direct flight.

Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

I have flights with Delta in December and have had 2 major schedule changes and was able to change to the flights I wanted.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

This is a fairly minor change at least on the surface, how long is your connection in Atlanta, does it put you into MCO significantly later then original? If not, then you may be stuck with the current intinary as the flight departure time only changed by 55 minutes which is usually not considered significant.

 

[dudspizza]

Personally, I think changing a flight from a non-stop to a connecting flight is a huge change. It will add more time to the total travel time.

Best thing to do, OP, is to know what flight you want to change to and politely ask to be moved to that flight due to their flight schedule changes.

Did you book with Disney? If so, they are essentially your travel agent and you have to work through them. If you booked directly with Delta, you can call them directly and work with them.

Best thing to do is be polite and direct with what you would like.

Best of luck.

Duds

 

[SweetMommy]

This is a fairly minor change at least on the surface, how long is your connection in Atlanta, does it put you into MCO significantly later then original? If not, then you may be stuck with the current intinary as the flight departure time only changed by 55 minutes which is usually not considered significant.

The connection in Atlanta is almost an hour. But it puts me arriving in MCO after 8 now where before I was arriving around 6:30! My original flight was direct 3:15-6:37. Now its 2:40-5:47 to Atlanta and then 6:55-8:31.

 

[SweetMommy]

I have flights with Delta in December and have had 2 major schedule changes and was able to change to the flights I wanted.

This makes me feel a little better. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[bgohre]

First off, don't panic.

Who did you book your airline reservation through? The airlines have a rule called Rule 240 that basically says they have to "make it right" for the customer. If you call the airline and ask for other options they will probably change your flight for you.

I have been in the travel industry of over 14 years and it never ceases to amaze me how they change someone's non stop flight to a connecting flight when there are still plenty of non stops out there. Just makes no sense.

Also, what is your departure city?

 

[Lewisc]

Rule 240 applies to flights that are cancelled and delayed (weather, mechanical etc.) It doesn't apply to schedule changes. Airlines are not even required to have a rule 240 and some don't.

Sounds like the OP booked flights through Disney. Disney is their TA. Some people think an airline might offer more accomodations to passengers who book directly. Your TA (Disney) might not take as much time "begging" and asking for a supervisor as you would take if you could call.

To answer a PP question, I suspect an airline wants to move at least some of the displaced passengers to less desirable flights so they have inventory to sell. It's probably easier for an airline to say no to TA then it is to a passenger who books direct.

 

[JennSaint]

We fly Delta almost every trip to Florida from Boston. They always make schedule changes and I've never had a problem calling them and getting a better flight! Did you go to the Delta site to see if there are seats on that 7am flight? If there are seats I would tell Disney to fight for that flight for you. This is always why I book my airfare seperate and on my own. So I can call the airline and deal with them directly. Since you have never flown before keep this in mind for next time.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Technically, Rule 240 no longer exists, and hasn't since 1978. Please refer to your carrier's contract of carriage.

See also: deregulation

 

[bgohre]

Normally I don't respond when folks tell me I'm wrong but in this case I'll make an exception. Since everybody want to be "technical" about it, let me say this.

"Technically" rule 240 no longer exists (since degregulation). However, airlines such as Northwest (now Delta) have keep rule 240 in place. Others have adopted the rule, some have renamed it something different or change the verbage but the general idea is the same. Northwest had expanded their interpetation somewhat of the rule to allow us to us it for schedule change (when I work there).

Bottom line: Most airlines will know what you are talking about when you talk about rule 240. But usually they will accomadate your request if you simply ask them to move you to a different flight.

 

[francie57]

We had the same thing happen to us on our return flight with Delta this past Aug. We fly out of Hartford and take the Delta non-stop at 7:00 a.m. and the return non-stop around 5:30 p.m. With the merger with Northwest we were put on Northwest flights each way, at the same time. I checked my itinerary about two months before our flight to find that our return non-stop had been changed to a Northwest flight through Detroit. I called Delta and explained that I booked non-stop both ways and knew that Delta still had the return non-stop and asked to be switched back. They switched the four of us without any question and without any charge for doing so. The change may be due to combining NWA and Delta and a calm phone call can probably fix it. Just have the flight info that you want in hand and explain everything calmly.

 

[Lewisc]

AFAIK rule 240 never applied to remedies owed passengers due to a schedule change. It specified what an airline owes a passenger during irregular operations when flights are delayed/cancelled due to mechanical or weather issues.

I'm not sure how mentioning a rule that might have been repealed before the CSR you're speaking to was even born, and never applied to this situation, is going to help.

Asking for accomodation due to a "major change" and referencing the CoC (contract of carriage) is a better idea. Actually reading the CoC so you know what you're entitled to makes even more sense. You're better off if you know if you're asking for a favor or asking for something your're entilted to.

The OP booked through Disney (TA). Disney has to make the phone call. The schedule change is less then 4 hours. Some airlines consider that a major change some don't. I'd find out Delta's rule.

 

[bgohre]

** yawn **

 

[disneymotherof3]

Delta changed our flight also to an earlier flight. My DH called and talked to them and we were able to change it to a later flight for 5 of us at no charge. I would just give them a call and see what they say. Plus, it helps to be very nice and polite.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

** yawn **

It sounds like you slept through deregulation, too