Hundreds of travellers were left stranded at Sydney Airport after a technical issue caused flight delays before dawn on Friday.
The issue impacted both domestic and international terminals, with frustrated and enraged commuters sharing images of closed off roller doors at the screening checkpoint and many taking to social media to complain.
So what are our rights when we fly?
Whether it’s a delayed or cancelled flight, a missed flight, lost baggage or a last minute seat change, Skyscanner Australia experts have revealed what rights passengers have no matter the circumstance.
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded at Sydney Airport after a technical issue caused flight delays before dawn on Friday
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED OR CANCELLED IN AUSTRALIA?
Unfortunately, according to Skyscanner ‘you don’t really have any rights’ in Australia when it comes to a delayed or cancelled flight.
‘In Australia, airlines don’t have to guarantee their timetable. They have agreed to get you from one place to another, but when they do this is up to them. If you miss a connecting flight then they don’t have to help you out either,’ they explained.
‘Of course, it’s good business practice to keep customers happy, even on cheap flights, so in reality an airline will try and smooth things out for you if they want you to fly with them again.’
Unfortunately, according to Skyscanner ‘you don’t really have any rights’ in Australia when it comes to a delayed or cancelled flight
HOW DO YOU GET A REFUND FOR A DELAYED OR CANCELLED FLIGHT?
According to Skyscanner, ‘it’s up to the airline to decide whether to give you a refund if a flight is delayed or cancelled’ in Australia.
If the delay was out of their control, for example due to a bird strike, a refund or compensation is unlikely.
According to Skyscanner, ‘it’s up to the airline to decide whether to give you a refund if a flight is delayed or cancelled’ in Australia
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU HAVE AN ITEM CONFISCATED AT SECURITY?
Thousands of items are confiscated daily across the country.
But what many people don’t know is that once they have agreed to them being confiscated, they have lost all rights to them.
Skyscanner advised: ‘You can go all the way back to the airline counter and check in your carry-on bag. Or, you can say goodbye to your belongings forever.
‘Once you agree to them being confiscated you lose all rights to them. Liquid containers and aerosols will be destroyed, dumped, or recycled. Some things might be auctioned off, or sold through charity shops.’
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR RESERVED SEAT IS CHANGED LAST MINUTE?
Even if you reserve a specific seat online, airlines can change this seating arrangement whenever they like – without consequence.
The only time compensation may be offered, however, is if a flight has been overbooked and a passenger has been downgraded from Business to Economy.
Even if you reserve a specific seat online, airlines can change this seating arrangement whenever they like – without consequence
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR LUGGAGE IS LOST, DAMAGED OR DELAYED?
In addition to reporting it immediately with the airline, missing baggage issues are best solved if the passengers keep the baggage receipt sticker they are given at check in.
‘After you have filled in a report document you will be given a reference number. Many airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Singapore Airlines have signed up to WorldTracer, which allows you to track your luggage using your reference number,’ Skyscanner wrote.
If luggage is damaged or scuffed however, coverage isn’t given.
If items like sporting equipment or musical instruments are damaged due to them not being packed adequately for transport, this is considered the passenger’s fault.