[Hherrmmann]

For 3 months now, AirBerlin does not react to my complaint about changing a direct flight into an indirect one, reducing my holidays with almost 2 days and increasing travel time with 50%.

My original booking was a direct flight Dusseldorf-Bangkok on May 31. At 700 euro for a round trip, this was not cheap, but I preferred it because of comfort, a convenient schedule, and reduced travel time. After Air Berlin merged with Etihad, the flight was transferred in an indirect one with a 5-hour stop over at Abu Dhabi and arrival at the end of day i.s.o. early morning. The going price for such flight is 469 euro, which 234 less than was charged me.

One I was noticed of the change (to be discovered only by going into the attachment of an email), I decided not to cancel it because my schedule was in sync with fellow travelers who came from Calcutta, and there were no open seats on a better schedule elsewhere.

On the same day of notification, I asked AirBerlin for compensation. All I received was an acknowledgement of receipt. In the past 3 months I did submit various reminders, but until now they did not react.

I do understand that Air Berlin rationalizes its flights via the merger with Etihad, but where this yields them important savings and gives me an important reduction in value, comfort and holiday time, it is fair that they compensate me for the difference in amounts.

[jimworcs]

You are right, but unfortunately they are only obligated to offer you a refund. If you decline this they are not obligated to offer you a partial refund. This is grossly unfair.