[triekel]

My wife and two kids 9 and 11 left from Kinshasa, Congo to Toulouse , France via Brussels the 16 of December 09. The plane arrived with two hours delay at 9 am in Brussels and they missed the connecting flight. The next plane to Toulouse was full (they claimed), the next could not fly because of snow, the next was booked out. My wife was asked at 10 pm at night with the kids for the last flight. At 11 they decided the plane would not flw, my wife and the kids hat to walk back the runway to the airport building; at - 15oC. No hotel was made available, no drink, no excuse, no help, nothing whatsoever. This story continued the next day, several flights to Toulouse, all booked out, my wife had to wait up to the evening. No assistance whatsoever, I repeat whatsoever or any excuse was made to them. SN Brussels is the worst, believe me. It is a scandal

[PHXFlyer]

From Brussels to Toulouse SN Brussels only has two flights per day Monday through Wednesday, only one flight per day Sunday, Thusday and Friday, and no service on Saturdays. The 16th was a Wednesday and as they missed the 0935 (AM) flight their only alternative would have been the 2230 (PM) departure. Yet from your post you mentioned other flights throughout the day. Were these to Toulouse or somewhere else with the possibility of a connection to Toulouse?

Also you doubt the flights were full but with only one remaining flight on the 16th and only one flight on Thursday and Friday I'd be willing to guess that they were indeed full.

The big question is what was the reason for the initial delay into Brussels? You mentioned that the later flights were being cancelled because of snow. Did the snow cause the delay arriving to Brussels? If not, then they are probably entitled to compensation under EU 216/2004. Unfortunately if the arrival delay was because of the snow (runway needed plowing, etc.) it would be considered "extraordinary circumstances" and cash payments and hotel accommodations would not apply.

[jimworcs]

I strongly suspect that the weather will be the reason. SN Brussels I think is owned by Lufthansa. Generally speaking they are ok, but have their moments. However, unless the original delay was not weather related you are going to have to put this down to "one of those things".

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

I strongly suspect that the weather will be the reason. SN Brussels I think is owned by Lufthansa. Generally speaking they are ok, but have their moments. However, unless the original delay was not weather related you are going to have to put this down to "one of those things".

No. Actually SN Brussels was started by a group of investors that bought up a portion of the former Sabena. Lufthansa has no involvement whatsoever. They aren't even part of the Star Alliance.

[jimworcs]

SN Brussels was already in existance when Sabena went bust. The shell assets of the remains of Sabena were then merged into SN Brussels with new investment to start the new company. This new company then also merged with Virgin Express. However, I am pretty sure that in 2008, Lufthansa bought 45% of the stock with guaranteed options to buy the rest of the company. I understood they would buy the rest before 2010. I will look into it and confirm, but I am pretty sure there was investment. My best mate is a Captain in BMI and they too are now part of Lufthansa.. and there was a mention of this in the literature at the time Lufty exercised their options to buy BMI.

[PHXFlyer]

Wow Lufthansa owns just about everybody! I know they are a minority owner of JetBlue here in the US. Why is it, Jim, you have a mad cow fit over the likes of Delta buying Northwest when Lufthansa seems to be doing the same thing just in Europe? (And please don't take the "mad cow fit" reference personally. I wouldn't want to be called a f-ing c...oh nevermind! )

[jimworcs]

I do object to the consolidation that is taking place in Europe too. The only difference is that airlines are regulated in Europe, so there are some consumer protection laws. If the airlines in the US were regulated to prevent them from distorting market forces and abusing their monopoly positions, I would object less. For example, BA is blocked from any expansion in LHR, so cannot get any more slots because it's position at LHR is too dominant and BAA is being broken up and its fees are capped. That is an example of robust regulation. Incidently, BA's share of the slots at LHR is 35% which is considerably lower than most "fortress hubs". We also have enforceable consumer rights.

[Leatherboy2006]

I am in a funny mood tonight, so does anyone else find that Lufthansa buying out other carriers or parts of, similiar to German thinking in 1930's and 1940's
BTW I am part German and Austrian before everyone starts screaming racism

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by Leatherboy2006

I am in a funny mood tonight, so does anyone else find that Lufthansa buying out other carriers or parts of, similiar to German thinking in 1930's and 1940's
BTW I am part German and Austrian before everyone starts screaming racism

I started being wary ever since the Berlin Wall fell in '89! However I've visited Germany a few times since then and my fears, for the most part, have been proven unfounded. However I did have a good laugh at a "Family Guy" episode entitled "Road to Europe" (Season 3, Episode 20) in which Stewie and Brian are on a guided tour in Munich and notice some glaring omissions from their guidebooks. You can view the clip here. "Everyone was on Vacation!...We were invited! Punch was served!" Hilarious!