Finnair Fiasco

[medhead]

I was just looking at donotpay.co.uk - "world's first robot lawyer". It does EU flight delay compensation. might be worth a look.

 

[SandyS]

So several of the companies that do flight compensation informed me that they couldn't handle my case because I had an overnight in Helsinki (even though it was all on the one ticket). I discovered IFDELAYED and here is their response after several weeks.

Unfortunately the airline denied your right to compensation. In our
opinion this denial is unlawful. If you want we can take this case to
the Finnish Customer Authority. The process is without any legal
responsability towards our clients. For our part same rules apply (25%
of possible compensation otherwise completely free of charge).

This process would take around 10-15 months due to long queuing times to
authority. In your case we don't need any additional information.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So several of the companies that do flight compensation informed me that they couldn't handle my case because I had an overnight in Helsinki (even though it was all on the one ticket). I discovered IFDELAYED and here is their response after several weeks.

Unfortunately the airline denied your right to compensation. In our
opinion this denial is unlawful. If you want we can take this case to
the Finnish Customer Authority. The process is without any legal
responsability towards our clients. For our part same rules apply (25%
of possible compensation otherwise completely free of charge).

This process would take around 10-15 months due to long queuing times to
authority. In your case we don't need any additional information.

Seems worthwhile? If I understand the reply correctly you still don't have to pay anything upfront. Nothing to lose.

 

[SandyS]

I have nothing to lose, so may as well. Although its not only about the money.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The Montreal Convention states that even on separate tickets if the accepting carrier (AY) has checked bags to your final destination (SYD) on a different carrier (QF) it is treated as though all travel is on the same ticket and as such they (AY) are obligated to get you all the way to SYD in the event of a disrupt situation.

They should not drop the bundle mid-journey and trot out the separate ticket excuse.

 

[SandyS]

The Montreal Convention states that even on separate tickets if the accepting carrier (AY) has checked bags to your final destination (SYD) on a different carrier (QF) it is treated as though all travel is on the same ticket and as such they (AY) are obligated to get you all the way to SYD in the event of a disrupt situation.

They should not drop the bundle mid-journey and trot out the separate ticket excuse.

I explained all of that info, repeatedly to both Finnair, Qantas and to the company originally handling the case (and to IFDELAYED). No one seemed to think it made any difference.

 

[Danger]

So several of the companies that do flight compensation informed me that they couldn't handle my case because I had an overnight in Helsinki (even though it was all on the one ticket). I discovered IFDELAYED and here is their response after several weeks.

Unfortunately the airline denied your right to compensation. In our
opinion this denial is unlawful. If you want we can take this case to
the Finnish Customer Authority. The process is without any legal
responsability towards our clients. For our part same rules apply (25%
of possible compensation otherwise completely free of charge).

This process would take around 10-15 months due to long queuing times to
authority. In your case we don't need any additional information.

Well this is good news. Go with it.

 

[SandyS]

The Montreal Convention states that even on separate tickets if the accepting carrier (AY) has checked bags to your final destination (SYD) on a different carrier (QF) it is treated as though all travel is on the same ticket and as such they (AY) are obligated to get you all the way to SYD in the event of a disrupt situation.

They should not drop the bundle mid-journey and trot out the separate ticket excuse.

I suppose this is why they have informed me that Finnair have acted unlawfully, in their opinion


the applicable
EU-directive surpasses in this case the Montreal convention by providing
better rights to passengers. The Eu-directive 261/2004 is based on the
Montreal convention.

 

[SandyS]

Here is an update from If.Delayed.com, received in June 2018.


Finnair unfortunately denied to pay even after the Board verdict. Our only option at this point is to sue. We kindly ask you to read and accept the terms below by responding to this message.

---------------------------------
Due to the airline's reluctance to pay the standard compensation for flight delay in accordance with EU261 / 2004, we ask for permission to sue the airline in the District Court in Finland.

Here are the terms of our service:

By responding to this message affirmatively, you agree that an agent appointed by Ifdelayed AB may represent you against the airline. Under no circumstances will you be liable to pay any costs or other penalties if we do not win your case. If we win your case, our agent may charge the airline for the costs accepted by the District Court. In addition we may charge the airline for the costs generated by our collection operations, both before and during the trial. If we win a standard compensation under EU261/2004, we will charge a maximum of 25% (incl. VAT) of the won compensation.

We will also require the airline to pay our fee on behalf (25% VAT incl.) of you. If this demand were to succeed, this would mean that you will receive the full amount of the standard compensation. Due to the uncertainty of the current legal situation, the success of this requirement is not yet certain.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Seems like a good offer!

 

[Happy Dude]

Go for it SandyS! Don't leave us hanging!

 

[Mule]

They don't count on people like you Sandy. Keep going with the tenacity and please update us.

 

[Justinf]

Absolutely go for it.

 

[OATEK]

We were on a delayed AY flight from ARN to HEL, which had many pax with short connection times. As the plane approached HEL we were advised that some of these flights would be held, including the one to HKG I was connecting with. But as we cleared passport control and headed towards the non-Schengen gates, a Finnair rep was standing there advising those going to St Petersburg to hurry as they were in danger of a "missed connection". So what appeared to be mostly young fans going to the World Cup started running frantically. As we passed their gate a minute or two later there were at least 50+ pax waiting to board that flight, so not really in danger - just Finnair giving them a hurry up. I think Finnair takes some risks with short connections.