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I have a finnair booking for 5 April -they just cancelled/amended my flight schedule.
The alternative itinerary is 5-6 hours earlier on the same day but that doesn’t quite work for us – do not want to drive few hours with my family during the night to catch a flight early morning instead of sleeping in an expensive hotel I have already paid for. this is our vacation and I do not want any cuts on timing. Flight numbers are different, for both RVN-HEL and HEL – VNO. I guess, the reason for earlier departure is 2nd flight, as I can see 1st one is available in alternative bookings. However, there’s no HEL- VNO anymore on the same day thus they moved 1st flight as well. We would be ok with overnight stay @HEL, but Finnair customer service says that wouldn’t be compensated by them as it is not a itinerary they are offering. What are our rights here, considering that they informed more than 14 days in advance? We paid by credit card if that helps.thanks a lot in advance
They owe you rerouting regardless of how far ahead a flight on your itinerary is cancelled. Obvs you could choose refund but it’s your choice not the airline’s and if you request rerouting they must honour it.
Without going into detail I’d just tell them I am unable to take any earlier flight. i think any flight more than 1 hour earlier is regarded by EU judgment as equivalent to a cancellation. Doesn’t help you here as compensation would not apply this far ahead, but it does give a hint that what is reasonable for them to suggest as alternative flight should not be too much earlier.
Frankly trying it on for that much earlier feels like they’re bullying you and taking the pi$$. They’re simply trying to save tbemselves the cost of accommmodating you overnight (+ meals during the extra travel time), on the natural reroute. I wouldn’t share detail with them – not even if pressed – but just tell them it’s impossible as you are unable to get to the airport early enough to take any earlier flight. Keep in mind if they do come up with something about an hour earlier you should probably reasonably accept it.
I can imagine all sorts of other transport dependencies or dependencies on other people or family commitments or transport issues which would nake it impossible to shift to an earlier flight at an airline’s whim. Be polite but firm and don’t say too much. No you don’t have to take a refund if they try that on after that, tbey really have to reroute you.
Have you checked for other ways of departing at the same time, or at least not earlier, that could get you to your destination reasonably close to original time? Finnair is supposed to not exclude putting you on another airline if they can’t meet your rerouting need. If there is anything bring it up as a possibility and ask for that as it might make them feel a lot warmer towards putting you in a hotel if that is what a reroute at same sort of departure time would require.
Please let us know how you get on.
Have you checked for other ways of departing at the same time, or at least not earlier, that could get you to your destination reasonably close to original time? Finnair is supposed to not exclude putting you on another airline if they can’t meet your rerouting need. If there is anything bring it up as a possibility and ask for that as it might make them feel a lot warmer towards putting you in a hotel if that is what a reroute at same sort of departure time would require.
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That’s easier to say than do.
Rovaniemi (ROV) is a small airport and only AY and Norwegian fly to / from there from HEL and on the 5th April google flights is shpwing only 5 flights. 4 on AY and one on Norwegian (which departs at 9pm).
Thos really comes down to the OP having to make some choices on which of the bad options available to them is the best one in their circumstances.
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