Expert: Roberto Gomes - 8/19/2005

Question
Hi Roberto,

I intend to fly LHR to Erzurum in Turkey with Turkish airlines. I will have a 12 hour layover in either Istanbul or Ankara. I have been told that if the layover is more than 10 hours then they are obliged to provide accommodation, but turkish airlines refuses to accept this reponsiblity.

The flights are scheduled flights operated by Turkish airlines. I know that if I switch carriers, then accommodation is my responsiblity, but if it is the same carrier...   Otherwise, there is no incentive to stay with the same carrier. Here are the alternatives

First Alternative

16:30 04.Sep    LHR IST 22:15        TK1992 THY
12:10 05.SEP IST ERZ 14:10 05.SEP TK0668 THY

Second alternative

16:30 04.Sep LHR IST 22:15        TK1992 THY
23:45 05.SEP IST ESB 00:45 05.SEP TK0168 THY next day
14:50 05.SEP ESB ERZ 16:15 05.SEP TK0664 THY

As you can see the enforced transit layover is more than 12 hours. (Sorry but the table looked OK at first)

The flights will be issued on a single ticket and for a single payment.  The onward flight is the first connecting flight after arrival(there is only one flight each day to Erzurum).

Is the airline obliged to provide and pay for a hotel during the stopover?

Many thanks

Peter
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Answer
Dear Peter,

Stopover is defined as a planned overnight (or longer) stop on a ticketed journey. In other words, if there are no immediate connecting flight(s) available on the same or two different airlines.

Carriers will provide accommodation and other compensations if due to circumstances beyond its control it cancels or delays a flight, (tech reasons, lack of crew, etc) is unable to provide previously confirmed space, fails to stop at a passenger's stopover or destination point, or causes the passenger to miss a connecting flight on which the passenger holds a reservation.

Unfortunately your itinerary can not be done combining different carriers. I checked alternatives e.g. via Frankfurt flying either to Ankara or Istambul and a misconnection was the result.

All the above is theory and normal procedures currently applied. You still can negotiate with the airline and try to get at least a discount at the hotel. Take this chance and make a brief visit to the church of Hagia Sophia.

If you have any additional questions, please let me know.
Best Regards,
R. Gomes