Article: The Surprising European Flight Delay Trend

[AFF Editor]

When flying in Europe (or Canada, for that matter), I've noticed that extended flight delays are often kept to just under the threshold where the airline would need to pay out compensation to passengers. This could be 2, 3 or 4 hours depending on the jurisdiction and length of the flight.

The Surprising European Flight Delay Trend

In Europe, airlines put a lot of effort into limiting delays to under two, three or four hours. They have a strong financial incentive to do so, and it works.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[smiliemonster]

Yes, we had two instances of this in Europe this month. One plane arrived 1hr 56mins late and the other 1hr 57mins late. Compensation kicks in at the 2hr mark. Both were on BA.

 

[Forg]

The compensation for even only an A320-load of people would almost definitely push that flight's profit:loss way into the red, wouldn't it?

So while there's zero penalty before 2hrs and a huge penalty at/after 2hrs ... if you have the organisational ability to make 6 flights 1hr 55m late in order to avoid one flight being 2hr 5m late, you probably would. The cost of the staff effort required to do that would be way less than the cost of the compensation?
Although it's a negative effect in terms of sales/marketing & return customers for all 6 flights as opposed to just the one - dunno how you'd go near measuring that.

 

[moa999]

So while there's zero penalty before 2hrs and a huge penalty at/after 2hrs ... if you have the organisational ability to make 6 flights 1hr 55m late in order to avoid one flight being 2hr 5m late, you probably would.

Yep. Think this definitely happens at the major hubs. Even cross-group.

I've been on a Germanwings (now Eurowings) flight from Berlin where after a 90min delay at gate, a Lufthansa aircraft showed up to operate the flight.

 

[offshore171]

Out of interest, does anyone know how they define the arrival time? Is it based on when PAX disembark, or is it when the plane lands, literally rubber hits the runway?

At certain times at some airports it can be a 30 minute difference.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Out of interest, does anyone know how they define the arrival time? Is it based on when PAX disembark, or is it when the plane lands, literally rubber hits the runway?
At certain times at some airports it can be a 30 minute difference.

My understanding is recorded flight times are door closed / door opened.

 

[offshore171]

My understanding is recorded flight times are door closed / door opened.

Ok that's interesting.

So in theory at least, Airline B could "land" within the 2 hour window, but spend 30 minutes waiting for their gate because Airline A is late departing, or perhaps the airport can't find an available gate.

That would mean that Airline B is required to compensate PAX, because of Airline A or the Airport.

 

[Hunter4vr]

Ok that's interesting.

So in theory at least, Airline B could "land" within the 2 hour window, but spend 30 minutes waiting for their gate because Airline A is late departing, or perhaps the airport can't find an available gate.

That would mean that Airline B is required to compensate PAX, because of Airline A or the Airport.

I believe they are only liable for delays for reasons that the airline can control. Being delayed as a result of airport congestion is not their fault.

I'm not completely sure but if the initial delay was the airline's fault, it could be argued that not being able to find a gate is a flow on effect and therefore they would be liable?