We booked a travel package with Oceania cruises and used a local travel agent services. The trip was a cruise out of Istanbul.
Our flights were all covered within the package. We flew to Frankfurt and boarded a flight to Istanbul for the cruise connection. While boarded and buckled in, the flight crew including Purser and Pilot came to us and advised we could not fly with the. This was a paid and booked flight. Reason given was my spouse had an allergy to "bell peppers" and meal service included these items.
We were not interested in meal service. My spouse, a retired RN carries medication and is prepared for an allergy problem if it occurs. We were escorted off the plane and told customer Service would look after us.
Eventually, we were successful in obtaining another flight later in the evening with Lufthansa, in Business Class but had to pay $3,700.00 Can to meet our cruise in Istanbul. We were travelling Economy Class and no seats available for 5-7 days minimum. we would then miss our cruise and lose $11,000.00 US.
The same meal service was on the later flight. No Economy seats available. We had to pay.
Since we were escorted off the flight for an allergy, Lufthansa errored in their judgement. They are not medical experts and did not wish to discuss this any further. We should be reimbursed for the added costs etc. They have refused. They wish to now refund $237.00 each for the initial flight.
Is this complaint something which falls into your mandate? Otherwise could you advise who can assist us. We have been treated very poorly for no fault of ours.
copy of email to CEO below.
----- Original Message -----
From: elwin *****
To: Lufthansa
Cc: ************@cta-otc.gc.ca ; Oceania Cruises
Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2008 4:33 PM
Subject: VRZ3NK *****, Judith & Elwin
Attn: Wolfgang ******** CEO Lufthansa German Airline
We have returned from our well planned vacation which included a Black Sea cruise with Oceania. Being very experienced travellers we ensure all reservations, connections, and booking of air are firm and in place, and follow up to ensure no changes have occurred. Being proactive reduces/eliminates most unexpected glitches.
Well, Mr. ********, Lufthansa has certainly topped the list for the unexpected, and in so doing, has seriously erred. My wife and I boarded flight LH 3342 on July 3, 2008 Frankfurt to Istanbul, and were in our seats and buckled in. Because my wife has a food allergy to bell peppers, which has been documented with Lufthansa on all flights for many years, she asked the attendant about the food service and reiterated that she had this allergy.
Staff on board previous flights have been very good to ensure she does not have any food with peppers. Being a retired RN my wife carries and is prepared to use medication should she have concerns over bell peppers in the food near by. She also carries an epi pen.
The attendant went to check on the flight meal service, and shortly thereafter the Purser and then the Pilot came to us and advised all food has peppers. They stated that they weren't prepared to deal with a possible medical emergency and that our option was to leave the plane.
We were told our baggage would be offloaded to the terminal and we would find it in Lost and Found. We were advised to go to customer service and we were assured that customer service would resolve the situation for us.
We were escorted off a fully loaded plane. Can you imagine the humiliation, disbelief, and embarrassment we felt? This was compounded by the knowledge that this undeserved, degrading spectacle took place in full view of a plane full of travellers wondering what we did wrong? Our character was now in question. Would this have happened to someone who had an allergy to other food products, e.g. peanuts, seafood?
With the tremendous and unnecessary stress, humiliation and anxiety, not to mention the unknown factor of 'what do we do now?' my wife was in tears.
After being bussed back to the terminal, we went directly to the customer service desk. It was early afternoon and we needed to get to Istanbul to continue our vacation and connect with our cruise. After speaking with the customer service rep, we were told that no seats were available to Istanbul for at least 5-7 days and that standby lists were also full.
We were advised that we should get a hotel room at our own expense and keep in touch. We questioned flights to other centres e.g. Munich, and then to Istanbul but apparently nothing was available.
We asked to speak to the supervisor; he was paged. When he arrived he spoke with the customer service rep in German, and did not look at us or speak with us directly. We reiterated that we must get to Istanbul to connect with our cruise otherwise we lose over $10,000. I produced my Visa credit card and said if necessary, I would cover any additional cost.
Immediately two Business Class seats were found available on the 10.30 p.m. flight that same day. Our cost for these seats on flight LH 3344 was Euro 1,094.23 each. We questioned rebate for our reservations on flight LH 3342 since we had been asked to leave the plane against our will.
The response was that no adjustment or refund would apply. Our total out-of-pocket costs for flight LH 3344 amounted to $3,700.00 Canadian (should have been processed in US dollars as per our itinerary). ALL FOR AN ERROR IN JUDGEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT ACTION BY LUFTHANSA STAFF.
This is unreasonable, unjust and discriminating since we had already paid for service which was not provided - through no fault of ours. In addition, the meal service on flight LH 3344 was identical to LH 3342 and my wife had no difficulty. The flight staff on LH 3344 acknowledged their concern over the treatment we received on flight LH 3342.
We had to contact our transfer agent in Istanbul to pick us up from this new flight with arrival time of 3:00 a.m. As a result of this delay we lost a half day of vacation time in Istanbul.
This incident was an irresponsible, unethical act on the part of Lufthansa that proved not only very expensive for us but also very traumatic and stressful as well. Lufthansa provided absolutely no physical or moral/emotional support for us after we were summarily escorted off of flight LH 3342. We were at your mercy and basically you held us for ransom.
We paid for confirmed flights months ago. We have flown internationally many times and on Lufthansa as recently as November, 2007. Never have we witnessed or heard of such reprehensible treatment of passengers.
As a senior Canadian Banker, I have never seen such treatment of customers. This is absolutely, totally unacceptable.
Our request is simple - refund the charge for the Business Class seats we had to purchase on flight LH 3344. In addition, compensation of $5,000.00 Canadian to cover our lost vacation time, and the horrendous stress and embarrassment suffered as a result of this incident.
Your response by August 15th, 2008 is anticipated.
Elwin *****
***** ******** Dr.,
Coquitlam, B.C.
V3E 1K7
*** *** ****
copy of email to CEO with copy of response from New York office
Attn: Mr Wolfgang ********CEO Lufthansa German Airlines
We are outlining below the response received from Lufthansa's New York office which is self explanatory. The response provides us with absoluteley no comfort or assurance that Lufthansa actually understands the seriousness of what has happened.
Mr. ********, it is also disappointing to see your office has merely passed this concern on to your New York Customer Relations North America Office where it was given to a clerk, with no authority or ability to resolve this matter. The offer to credit us with $237.00 each is absurd, to say the least.
Mr. ********, we have reviewed Lufthansa's corporate Mission Statement which seems to be supporting your commercial business but does not reflect any intention to provide superb service to your day to day paying customers. This was very evident from our contact with your flight crew on LH3342 and Lufthansa's Customer Service Staff at the counter in Frankfurt.
We were told by your Purser and Pilot that we could not fly with them and had to leave the plane, after having been seated and buckled in for the flight.
Your Customer Service rep states in her letter "Let me assure you that the safety of our passengers is our ultimate concern". Also she states "it was mutually agreed that you and your wife not take the flight as we could not supply oxygen on short notice".
Another error as we were told by the Purser and Pilot that we could not fly with them and had to leave the plane, against our wishes. We left the plane with both officials walking with us to the door. We were specifically told that Customer Service will look after us!
Is there an insinuation that we may be a "risk" to your passengers? Are we in same category as terrorists and unruly clients?
We were not bumped off the plane. We had an itinerary fully paid for and confirmed. Lufthansa staff clearly erred in making an issue over my wife's food allergy. In addition, passengers are fully within their right to ask questions about service or anything which may concern them.
The issue over oxygen was merely a comment from my wife that if she needed oxygen in an emergency, not that she has ever needed it, we were told by the Purser that they could not provide oxygen for her as this would then not be available for other possible emergencies on the flight.
This must violate flight safety regulations by not being able to provide for emergencies of more than one passenger with oxygen. "Safety of our passengers is our ultimate concern".
Lufthansa erred in judgement by having us removed from our paid for and confirmed seats on the flight.
Lufthansa violated their contract to provide air transportation to ticket holder with no grounds to support their actions
Lufthansa created an atmosphere of humiliation, embarassment and exteme anxiety when we were escorted off the plane.
Lufthansa did not provide any customer service support, physical or emotional, during this traumatic and stressful time in a foreign country as advised by Purser and Pilot.
Lufthansa basically held us ransom knowing our trip required us to get to Istanbul as per our flight itinerary.
To get to our destination, we had to pay $1,847.98 Can each. We do not fly Business Class but were forced by Lufhansa to do so to meet our travel plans. Lufthansa is required to correct the injustice by paying us $1,847.98 Can each which would then correct the injustice. After the offer of $237.00 Can each, this would require a payment of $1,610.98 each to correct the injustice. (note ticketing fees were applied to Business Class seats - a further insult).
Additional compensation as originally stated is also required.
Lufthansa has violated our RIGHTS and must place us back in our position prior to their abusive decision by providing air service as per our contract and full refund of Business Class costs obtained while placing us under undue duress.
Your reply by September 5, 2008 is anticipated.
Elwin *****
Canada
cc to Canadian Transportation Agency (by mail)
cc to Oceania Cruises
Dear Mr. *****:
Thank you for your letter to our CEO concerning your and your wifes recent journey on Lufthansa. Mr. Mayrhuber has asked me to respond on his behalf. I am sorry you were disappointed with your experience and immediately contacted the flight crew of LH3342 on July 3, 2008.
Let me assure you that the safety of our passengers is our ultimate concern. A review of the events reflects our crew was informed of your wife's extreme allergy to peppers. After considerable discussion since peppers were being served, it was mutually agreed that you and your wife not take the flight as we could not supply oxygen on such short notice. The captain was informed accordingly. I truly regret any embarrassment you encountered as that was not our intention.
In these instances, we expect our staff to assist all passengers and to do everything in their power to hold inconvenience to a minimum. As you have illustrated, the manner in which our staff handles such situations can significantly impact the perception of our customers and I apologize you did not receive the assistance as anticipated. Since you were traveling during peak season and seats in economy class were not available, the only option to travel to Istanbul to continue your vacation was to travel in Business Class.
As transportation in Business Class was indeed provided, we are unable to refund this ticket as expected. As a gesture of goodwill, I have arranged to refund cad237 each reflecting the unused portion from Frankfurt to Istanbul. Please allow approximately 10-15 days for processing and a few days for mailing.
Mr. *****, I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns. I am pleased our staff on board previous flights has been very accommodating and am confident that future dealings will again be in line with your expectations.
Sincerely,
Linda ******
Linda ******
Customer Relations North America
Lufthansa German Airlines
1640 Hempstead Turnpike
East Meadow, NY 11554
Tel.: *** *** ****
Fax: *** *** ****
copy of letter from Henry Bickle New York Office and response
----- Original Message -----
From: elwin *****
To: ************@dlh.de
Cc: Lufthansa
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:10 AM
Subject: Re: Message from Lufthansa Customer Relations - File 20618429LS
Good morning Henry:
Why is it Lufthansa staff continue to praise each other at the expense of customers?
No one has acknowledged my spouse is a retired RN and is prepared for any emergency. She carries medication and when advised of menu service, decides if she needs to take a precautionary medication. We were not planning on using Lufthansa meal service on this flight. So let us forget that she could not partake in your meal service. This is not the issue.
The later flight which we were placed on in Business Class had the same menu. The crew were very good and acknowledged our prior concern. Very interesting and we were allowed to fly with them.
We have outlined our concerns over Lufthansa treatment. Far from what was indicated by flight crew. We were told "they (customer service) will look after you".
We were told we could not fly on this flight. not mutually agreed decision. We were told Customer Service would look after us( Not so).
We are out $3,700.00 as a result of Lufthansa error. This is unacceptable.
Suggest you provide us with your corporate solicitor name in Canada as we will proceed to court. You have left us no other alternative.
Elwin *****
Canada
----- Original Message -----
From: ************@dlh.de
To:*******@shaw.ca
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 5:39 AM
Subject: Message from Lufthansa Customer Relations - File 20618429LS
Dear Mr. *****:
Please refer to your previous e-mails concerning your recent journey with Lufthansa. Mr. ********* asked me to respond to you on his behalf. I am sorry you are not satisfied with Ms.******'s message and have personally reviewed your file this morning.
Kindly understand that based on the information provided to our crew concerning your wife's extreme allergy to peppers, it was in your wife's better interest not to continue with this particular flight. As mentioned in Ms. ******'s previous e-mail, seats to Istanbul were limited as you were traveling during peak season; I regret that you could not be rebooked in Economy class.
I am pleased Ms. ****** exceptionally made arrangements to refund the unused flight coupon. No new aspect has come to light which would warrant a change in our response. Regrettably, we are unable to honor your request for a refund of your Business class ticket or consider any compensation.
I realize that my reply may not be the one anticipated and ask for your understanding of Lufthansa's position in this matter.
Sincerely,
Henry ******
Team Leader, Corporate
Customer Relations North America
Lufthansa German Airlines
P.O. Box 425
East Meadow, NY 11554
TEL.: *** *** ****
visit us at: www.lufthansa.com
United and Lufthansa have teamed up to offer small and medium-sized companies a unique opportunity to reduce travel expenses and earn valuable perks. For information on PerksPlus, visit www.perkspluspartners.com.
Sitz der Gesellschaft / Corporate Headquarters: Deutsche Lufthansa Aktiengesellschaft, Koeln, Registereintragung /
Registration: Amtsgericht Koeln HR B 2168
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats / Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Dipl.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E.h. ******* *****p>
Vorstand / Executive Board: Wolfgang Mayrhuber (Vorsitzender / Chairman), Stephan ******, Stefan *****
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Von: elwin ***** [mailto:*******@shaw.ca]
Gesendet: Dienstag, 19. August 2008 06:02
An: **********, **********
Cc: **********@oceania cruises.com
Betreff: Lufthansa Fb 20618429-ls//Recent Experience-*****, Elwin & Judith
Wichtigkeit: *****
Attn: Mr Wolfgang ********, CEO Lufthansa German Airlines
We are outlining below the response received from Lufthansa's New York office which is self explanatory. The response provides us with absoluteley no comfort or assurance that Lufthansa actually understands the seriousness of what has happened.
Mr. ********, it is also disappointing to see your office has merely passed this concern on to your New York Customer Relations North America Office where it was given to a clerk, with no authority or ability to resolve this matter. The offer to credit us with $237.00 each is absurd, to say the least.
Mr. ********, we have reviewed Lufthansa's corporate Mission Statement which seems to be supporting your commercial business but does not reflect any intention to provide superb service to your day to day paying customers. This was very evident from our contact with your flight crew on LH3342 and Lufthansa's Customer Service Staff at the counter in Frankfurt.
We were told by your Purser and Pilot that we could not fly with them and had to leave the plane, after having been seated and buckled in for the flight.
Your Customer Service rep states in her letter "Let me assure you that the safety of our passengers is our ultimate concern". Also she states "it was mutually agreed that you and your wife not take the flight as we could not supply oxygen on short notice".
Another error as we were told by the Purser and Pilot that we could not fly with them and had to leave the plane, against our wishes. We left the plane with both officials walking with us to the door. We were specifically told that Customer Service will look after us!
Is there an insinuation that we may be a "risk" to your passengers? Are we in same category as terrorists and unruly clients?
We were not bumped off the plane. We had an itinerary fully paid for and confirmed. Lufthansa staff clearly erred in making an issue over my wife's food allergy. In addition, passengers are fully within their right to ask questions about service or anything which may concern them.
The issue over oxygen was merely a comment from my wife that if she needed oxygen in an emergency, not that she has ever needed it, we were told by the Purser that they could not provide oxygen for her as this would then not be available for other possible emergencies on the flight.
This must violate flight safety regulations by not being able to provide for emergencies of more than one passenger with oxygen. "Safety of our passengers is our ultimate concern".
Lufthansa erred in judgement by having us removed from our paid for and confirmed seats on the flight.
Lufthansa violated their contract to provide air transportation to ticket holder with no grounds to support their actions
Lufthansa created an atmosphere of humiliation, embarassment and exteme anxiety when we were escorted off the plane.
Lufthansa did not provide any customer service support, physical or emotional, during this traumatic and stressful time in a foreign country as advised by Purser and Pilot.
Lufthansa basically held us ransom knowing our trip required us to get to Istanbul as per our flight itinerary.
To get to our destination, we had to pay $1,847.98 Can each. We do not fly Business Class but were forced by Lufhansa to do so to meet our travel plans. Lufthansa is required to correct the injustice by paying us $1,847.98 Can each which would then correct the injustice.
After the offer of $237.00 Can each, this would require a payment of $1,610.98 each to correct the injustice. (note ticketing fees were applied to Business Class seats - a further insult).
Additional compensation as originally stated is also required.
Lufthansa has violated our RIGHTS and must place us back in our position prior to their abusive decision by providing air service as per our contract and full refund of Business Class costs obtained while placing us under undue duress.
Your reply by September 5, 2008 is anticipated.
Elwin *****
Canada