Flight cancellation and delay rights

In cases of flight delays causing missed connections, particularly in transit hubs like Shanghai, airline ground staff (often Chinese carriers) may proactively rebook passengers onto the next available flight and assist with luggage transfer, as experienced with a 2-hour delay from Seoul. This indicates a system in place for managing disrupted transit itineraries, but ample layover time is always recommended.

When a flight schedule change by an airline causes a missed connection on a single booking, the airline is responsible for rebooking. If third-party support (like aggregators) fails to provide solutions, contact the airline's customer service directly to request transfer to the next available flight.

If a flight is cancelled by the airline, the passenger is entitled to involuntary rerouting at no extra cost, regardless of fare difference. Key regulations to cite in communication: IATA Resolution 735d and the carrier's General Conditions of Carriage (specifically the article on Involuntary Rerouting/Changes). Be persistent, cite these rules clearly, and avoid paying any 'price difference' fees for forced changes.

During typhoon season in China, flight cancellations are common. If grounded, airlines usually provide hotels, but rebooking can take days. Travelers should immediately check high-speed rail options to nearby cities as a fallback, as trains are often less affected by weather than flights.

China Eastern Airlines may offer compensation for significant flight delays, even on flights with technical stops (e.g., Xi'an to Sydney via Nanjing). In a reported case, a delay from 7 PM to 1 AM resulted in a 160 AUD compensation. Passengers experiencing long delays may be granted free lounge access upon request. Compensation can be complex if a passenger is not in the airline's loyalty system, sometimes requiring assistance from other passengers or representatives to process the payout (e.g., transferred to a third-party account and then converted).