Etihad had just changed my sisters flight from Abu Dhabi to

Etihad had just changed my sisters flight from Abu Dhabi to

Etihad had just changed my sisters flight from Abu Dhabi to  Sydney in Y and rebooked her on another flight 16 hours after her arrival into AUH. This is seriously ridiculous! What are your recommendations or strategy for compensation (if there are) like upgrade etc. I'm a platinum VA member but that won't benefit the poor girl as she's 'nothing' and I'm not flying... Any suggestions. Really disappointed with Etihad.  No phone call just a text and email. 

Hi Jorge,

This stuff happens every day - usually for operational reasons - so it's not seriously ridiculous...For example I'm currently in Perth and due to fly back to Brisbane tomorrow - I was originally booked on the 4.25pm Qantas service - but they've had to cancel it - so I'm now on the red-eye - close to an 8-hour difference - as a Qantas Platinum FF was I offered compensation? No; do I feel I deserve compensation? No...Is it inconvenient? Yep, but these things happen! 

I'm pretty sure the EU has some strict rules around flight delays, changes etc but I don't know if this will apply for an onward flight not originating from the EU.

Yes it's a long layover, but why do you feel your sister should be compensated? Ultimately Etihad will deliver the service your sister paid them to deliver! 

I'd imagine one would get quite pissed off if one hadn't planned on a long layover to be presented with new travel plans that required such a layover. 

Yes shit happens but I should imagine at the least EY should accomodate her in a hotel for that period.

And what's this about "...changed my sister's flight in Y and rebooked..."? Is this a case of poor sentence structure where the adjective and noun is mixed up or did they downgrade her, as implied in the way the sentence is currently written?

markpk, do you know why QF "had to cancel" ?  There is a good chance it is for QF's convenience, for example insufficient loading.  I would hope that as a P you were at least offered an earlier flight, which may have been more inconvenient for you. 

Hi Greg

They wouldn't say, but given the day before I'd read on hear that one of their unrenovated A330's was due to drop offline for refurbishment I suspect they looked forward and found the lighest flight to drop so as to balance aircraft vs flights...

Unfortunately an earlier flight wasn't an option! Though I've since used points to upgrade and have the new biz class seat for the red eye! 

I do not found it “ridiculous” – happens often enough. I do not believe that you can get anything in return (like an upgrade), so rather tell her ask them nicely and politely to give her an accommodation.