Questions and Answers

I have not been downgraded, at least yet, but I want to be prepared in case it happens and know what I am entitled to, and how to handle the situation.

I am currently booked on Aeroplan award in business class YVR-SFO-IST (UA-TK). I am flying with my wife and three kids, so five business class tickets in total. The aircraft currently scheduled for SFO-IST is TK’s new two-class 777 with 7 rows of business + economy. But TK also has three-class 777 with 4 rows in business + comfort class + economy. I have read reports on flyertalk that TK subbed in those three-class planes on SFO-IST route instead of the two-class plane. Obviously, they have fewer business class seats now and have to downgrade some business class passengers.

What happens if TK involuntarily downgrades some or all of my family of five from business to comfort or to economy on the day of travel in June, because of aircraft swap? Am I entitled to compensation according to DOT rules, and if yes, to how much exactly? I think not, because DOT rules only cover downgrades due to oversell, not due to aircraft swap. Besides, I am not originating in USA, just connecting. What will likely happen in reality? What should I do in such situation, and how to best handle it generally?