Allegiant Air offers low cost flights from various airports around the country and they are explicit on certain discounted offers, that there are no refunds. But when one thinks of a no refund policy, I personally believe that it would apply when someone fails to make it to their scheduled flight. Over at the Consumerist they have an article which described an incident that happened on one Allegiant Air flight.
The article states the following:
An Arizona mom says she was flying to Billings, Montana for her birthday — but never got off the ground because the airline kicked her — and her unruly kids off the flight. They were told they could take another flight — if they paid for it. The airline says it’s their policy not to offer refunds.
Apparently, while still boarding their Allegiant Air flight, the woman’s 2-year-old started to cry. While she was trying to calm the toddler down, her 4 year old got “restless” and wouldn’t stay in his seat.
The airline removed the family from the plane and told them they could take another flight but neglected to mention at the time that this flight would cost $900 more. The airline says they will FedEx her luggage back from Montana (it was apparently behaving itself in the cargo hold,) and offered her a credit towards a future flight. She wants a refund.
I can understand the position of the airline when it comes to removing the children and mom from the flight. Not knowing all of the facts, I would imagine this was done to protect the other passengers on-board from being disturbed by the kids. What I can not understand is the fact that Allegiant Air would not provide the mom and kids to take another flight at the same price and now refuses to provide a refund.
In my opinion Allegiant Air is being unreasonable. What is your opinion?
Keep those damned brats quiet – or else!
With three kids of my own, I sympathize with the Mom in this case, BUT, I also applaud the airline for their booting of the family off the plane. Assuming a full plane load of around 50-100 or more people, it’s absolutely unfair to subject them to the disruptive antics of children misbehaving and crying for a flight that they also paid good money for. If the parent(s) can’t get the kids to behave, let them take a car ride to their destination and leave the other plane passengers in peace.
I think the woman should have been given another plane ticket and told if it happens again your on your own. I had a friend of mine’s expensive evening out ruined by a brat kid in an expensive steakhouse. He told the waiter that he was not the one to handle the kid and so the parents won’t but he is going to leave. The waiter said “But your food is on the way.” So am I” Just then a member of management told the couple with the child that they needed to leave immediately as people were leaving as we speak. The mother started screaming “You’re anti kid.” The management said, “No. We’re anti ruckas. Get out right now we are calling the police as we speak. The whole restaurant stood up and clapped a standing ovation. My friend and guests were already on the way out when the waiter said ” Do you want it to go?” No I didn’t come here for takeout and you can give it to the couple and their brat. My evening is sufficiently ruined I don’t need to be reminded of it by leaving a bad taste in my mouth.(a warmed over steak is pretty lame especially when you’ve paid good money for it) IBratty children have made me leave mid movie without even bothering to ask for a refund. ( I was told I could get one)
NYC: [IMG]http://i53.tinypic.com/vyr3gh.png[/IMG]