BA flight delayed/cancelled due to fault with plane

[Niall]

My flight tonight (from Tenerife at 18:55) boarded early but eventually we had to get off around 22:30 due to fault with the plane which wasn’t fixed. They bused us off to a hotel, and told to wait for details. But the app showed the flight was now due to depart 11:45 tomorrow. Hoping no issue on EC261 claim on this (as there was an initial small delay due to Gatwick landing slots I hope they don’t blame).

My question though… if BA do give us flight options, and I don’t select the earliest possible (perhaps this flight now delayed to 11:45 tomorrow), do I give up my rights to the EC261 compensation?

[Matt]

If the earliest they can get you back is >3 or 4 hours later than scheduled then you should get the compensation even if you take a later flight. You would probably increase your chances of having to fight for it though I expect.

I can’t see BA trying to refuse payment for an obvious technical fault with one of their planes, but you never know!

[JDB]

Sorry, probably a bit late now, but the situation you describe is technically an overnight delay (rather than a cancellation), such that the flight will operate the following day, probably with an X on the end of the flight number to distinguish it from today’s flight if it exists. It will, as @SamG says, make you eligible for delay compensation and BA should pay for hotel & food but if you elected not to travel on that ‘delayed’ flight you risk not being compensated for an alternative flight if BA won’t rebook you.

[Niall]

Thanks both!!