Coronavirus cancels connecting flight

score:1

Accepted answer

He shouldn't get stressed too much. Lufthansa/Swiss are rearranging their schedule a bit, due to decreased demand. And yes, this will mean that some flights are cancelled. That does not mean that all flights are cancelled or that they won't take him at all.

He has a ticket with Swiss, and they have to transport him to his destination, even if on a different flight. He does not have to worry about being "left behind" if he doesn't make his first flight.

Is the flight cancelled?

Currently, he does not know. He can (and should) check the flight status online (Swiss timetable and Lufthansa Flight Status).

As long as the flight isn't officially cancelled, it makes little sense to call or go to the airport - they can't tell you much. Also, it makes little sense to re-book if you don't know which flights are going to operate.

What happens if it is cancelled?

If the flight is cancelled, the airline will offer to re-book him on a different one: There are multiple flights from Athens to Zurich, but they could rebook him completely (e.g. going through Frankfurt on Lufthansa). If isn't happy with the new itinerary, they will usually offer other options. He could also get a refund, but it seems like he wants to travel.

If he booked it through a third party (e.g. Expedia), he'll have to go through them for any re-booking.

If the flight isn't cancelled, he should be at the airport early so that he can directly talk to the agents in case of a last-minute cancellation.

Other things

On their information page Swiss currently informs passengers that they can freely re-book all tickets bought before March 5th. (However, it seems like your BF wants to travel).

In case of a delay or cancellation your BF may also have a right to compensation under the EU rules - at least in this case, when the outbreak directly the reason for the cancellation.

Upvote:9

If it is the same ticket, and one flight is cancelled, you have the right to cancel all flights and get full refund. Switzerland is fully considered like an EU country in the EU passenger right directive.

The problem: the flight is not yet cancelled (just "probably"), so it makes harder to change and get refund, until there is a true cancellation. So you should probably wait. When the cancellation is official, more staff can change/refund the flight (and possibly you can do it online).

For email: my experience: they are slow to answer, but on weekend you may get more answers: there is always staff, and on weekend they are less busy, but phone is often the best way (but don't be surprised if staff lacks in geography and so they may propose you unrealistic changes), and unfortunately often one should try several time.

Just look online for alternative, and prepare all options on the table: if they offer you a choice, you want to take it immediately, and not wait to decide and call them back. So be prepared.

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