AA Mechanical Delay - Stuck in Mexico with NO HELP from AA
 

During my recent trip to Cozumel, Mexico I encountered flight delays on my return flight for mechanical issues with American
Airlines aircraft on the dates of February 4th and 5th. Therefore, I was unable to make my connecting flights for two days.

I spoke with Natalie at American Airlines ticket counter at Cozumel Airport on February 4th, 5th, and 6th. She was very attentive, concerned and done all she could to look for other flights on both days. She spoke with her management about paying for a room & meals during those days of delays in Cozumel.

Her management told her that it was Alaska Airlines responsibility to pay for my expenses. So, I called Alaska Airlines and they stated that American Airlines was responsible due to mechanical issues with its own aircraft. In return I called American airlines and was told that it was Alaska Airlines responsibility since I booked the trip with them.

I feel that it was American Airlines responsibility to have provided me with a room and meals during my delay per AA airline contract. If it had been an Alaska Airline aircraft mechanical issue, then it would fall under their contract.

Along with travel expenses, I also missed work and incurred child care expense during my delay. I paid all of this out of my pocket.

There is no worse feeling being in another country with no help from anyone.

On my return flight I ask AA if I could travel in Business class because of the delays I had, AA said no. I boarded the flight back to the USA and walk past the empty first class seats. American Airlines had really let me down.

I have sent letters to AA and Alaska Airlines with a statement from AA stating that these delays were mechanical issues. I am hoping for a postive response.

Upon receiving a response from Alaska or AA. I will post their response.

J. Peters

i can understand them not upgrading you to first class, once one person wants it, they all want it. but i agree, it should have been AA's cost with the extra hotel rooms and food. I hope you get a response from them soon

The situation sounds odd indeed. Ok the flight was delayed, but was not cancelled? does this mean that you possibly stepped away from the gate and in turn missed the flight? I only ask because it makes no sense for AA to send you Air Alaska for "their" mechanical delay ya? Because as a rule 240, not only are they to provide you a flight on ANY airline (they have partnership with), they must also provide at least a 1 nite stay, due to an error in their equipment. Again this seems like you missed the flight on your own, or they would have never tried to send you to AA.

The trip was booked with Alaska Airlines with AA as a partner airline from Dallas to Cozumel. Alaska Airlines doesn't fly into Cozumel and AA doesn't fly to Alaska(in the winter).
I was there for my flight (both days) but AA staff told me that the plane was delayed due to mech issues and I couldn't make my other connections to Alaska due their plane. I have this in writing from AA in Cozumel for both days.
Thanks for your response.
J.Peters

yea I get what happened, but the point is if on both days AA was having nechanical issues with their plane, they they most assuredly would have to give you accomodations as its their equipment that failed (I fly AA enough and they do give you a room if their plane is broken). If you have this in writing you can use that to get recompensated for the rooms that you had to pay for. Lastly even if AA could not get you out of Cozumel to make a connection, they should have at least been able to get you somewhere to where you can make a connection either through them or another airline.

As of 3/1/08 I still have not received an response from American Airlines or Alaska Airlines. I sent both airlines letters with the above complaint. Any suggestions ???

Joseph Peters

As of 3/1/08 I still have not received an response from American Airlines or Alaska Airlines. I sent both airlines letters with the above complaint. Any suggestions ???

Joseph Peters

American Airlines did contact me today and issued a $200 voucher. So, the issue has been resolved.

JP