Will BA switch my flight so I can make my connection?

Simon Calder answers your questions on accompanying teenagers on flights, onward connections and how to make the most of Yellowstone

There is little difference between Newark and JFK in flight times and cost (Getty)

Q British Airways has cancelled my flight from London to Newark airport in New York. It is a late afternoon flight (4.45pm) because I have to work during the morning. I was originally supposed to have landed at 7.30pm, in good time for an onward connection to Minneapolis at 10pm. All they are offering is to rebook me to to New York JFK, which is obviously no good to me. United Airlines has an alternative flight that would get me to Newark, but BA is refusing to switch me. Can I insist that they do so?

Name supplied

A It was bold of you to buy separate flights. Had you booked a journey from A via B to C, then if the first component is cancelled the airline must ensure you can reach C as close to your original plan as possible. As it is, British Airways has no obligation beyond getting you from London to New York. Your case is governed by European air passengers’ rights rules, which say British Airways must offer you an alternative flight on the same day – as well as compensation of £520 unless you depart no more than one hour before the scheduled time of departure and reach your final destination less than two hours after the scheduled time of arrival.

Since there are plenty of flights on BA and its US partner, American Airlines, I can see zero chance of your being offered a ticket on United Airlines. The rules whether an alternative airport is acceptable are opaque. For anyone simply heading for Manhattan, Newark and JFK are little different in the time and cost of reaching the heart of New York. But for your trip, it is essential that you are at Newark airport. On a good day, the transfer – typically costing around $50 (£40) by shared shuttle van – takes an hour. In your position I would look at the earliest you could get to Heathrow for a flight to JFK. If you can be there in time for the 3.15pm American Airlines departure, you should arrive by 6.05pm. Even allowing for delays at Customs & Border Protection, and traffic en route to Newark, you should be at your departure airport by 9pm – in good time for your onward flight. Of course, travelling with cabin baggage only will accelerate things: you are allowed a fairly large roll-along case and a smaller backpack.

Once you have successfully reached Minneapolis, you can then tackle British Airways for the cost of the trans-New York connection as well as your stipulated compensation. I will be interested to see how the airline responds.

Must I escort my daughter, 16, onto a US-bound plane? (Getty)

Q My 16-year-old daughter is flying from London Heathrow to Boston on American Airlines, returning on British Airways. Some people tell me I have to accompany her right onto the plane – and I then can’t leave that area until the plane is in the air. Is this correct. If it is, how do I do it?

Nick M

A Initially, I was sceptical about what you had been told. In Europe, airline passengers are considered fully functioning adults at 16 without any additional formalities. This applies on British Airways (as well, incidentally, as easyJet and Ryanair). On many carriers, including BA, your daughter would also be considered able to be responsible for accompanying under-16s.

In contrast, American Airlines insists a passenger aged 15, 16 or 17 travelling on their own must be taken to the departure gate and remain there until the flight is airborne. This is standard practice in the US for domestic flights. Airlines provide a “gate pass” to allow the accompanying adult to go through the security check with the child. The insistence on sticking around is because technical problems often manifest themselves while the plane is still on the ground – and if a flight is cancelled, someone considered a minor presents a problem. The US Federal Aviation Administration says: “Stay in the gate area until the flight has taken off, in case the aircraft has to return to the gate.”

Such is the design of US airports that departing and arriving passengers mingle “airside” (after the security check), which means the adult waving off the child can breeze straight out. Airports in the UK (and almost everywhere else on Earth) are simply not designed for this: anyone who is airside but is not departing on a plane must be specially escorted back to the landside area. Over the weekend I have been unable to find out from American Airlines exactly how the policy is applied at London Heathrow. I suggest you take up the issue with the carrier as soon as possible. It may be that your daughter can simply be transferred to a British Airways departure with similar timing.

Where would make a good side trip from Yellowstone? (iStock)

Q Our June 2024 holiday will be a hiking tour in Yellowstone National Park. The group meets in Jackson Hole, to which there are no direct flights. It seems we could travel via Dallas, Salt Lake City or Chicago. It would be good to spend a few days in one of those cities, either before or after our tour – which would you recommend for a short break?

Peter E

A Jackson Hole, Wyoming (also known simply as Jackson) is a great place to start or end a hiking trip: besides easy access to Yellowstone, it is a lively and convivial location. As you say, at least one connection is required to get there. But making a virtue of this necessity is an excellent policy – and there are many more possibilities beyond the cities you mention.

A quick search for one-stop connections from London reveals Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle as additional options. My selection would exclude Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas, which are all fascinating but prone to being extremely warm in high summer. Los Angeles will extend the overall journey time too much, I believe. Of the remainder, Denver and Salt Lake City are mountain metropolises that will feel fresh and are excellent for a stay of 48 hours – in which you can explore the downtown attractions and their high-altitude hinterlands.

Were I forced to choose between the two, Salt Lake City would win: it has a really easy, close-in airport with a fast and cheap streetcar connection to downtown – where you will discover the heartland of the Mormon church, which is intriguing and well organised for the visitor (I actually bumped into Donny Osmond when I was in the temple grounds). The West Coast options of Seattle and San Francisco are even more alluring.

In your position, I would aim to break the journey both outbound and inbound and ask a good long-haul travel agent to quote on the best combination. The answer is likely to be Virgin Atlantic and Delta for Salt Lake City and either West Coast city, or British Airways and a US partner for Denver plus San Francisco or Seattle. Do let me know which you choose.

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