I complained to Air France in July 2006 regarding inadequate compensation being given due to flight cancellation. Thereafter, I followed up with them multiple times, only to receive a letter stating since they arranged an alternate flight (never mind it was six hours later!) no compensation was due.

My mother traveled from MAA (Chennai, India) to WAW (Warsaw, Poland) on July 27, 2006 via CDG (Paris, France). She flew Delta Airlines (on code share with Air France) from MAA to CDG. From CDG she was to take AF 2346 (departing at 12:35PM); however, that flight was canceled and she was re-routed on AF 1246 (departing at 06:40PM) - delaying her by 6 hours and 5 minutes. She was given a voucher for food and drink, and NOTHING ELSE!!!

As per EU law, she should have been provided Euro 250 as compensation, as well as been allowed to make two calls (my mother purchased a calling card at the airport on her own, as Air France did not offer this) - as per (EC) No 261/2004(OJ L46, 17.2.2004). While Euro 250 is inadequate compensation for my 67 years old mother having to spend 6 hours in a foreign airport terminal, in the hands of what appears to be a callous and uncaring airline, in an atmosphere of uncertainty, I do feel that one should pursue an entitlement for which one is clearly eligible.

I have now taken the matter up with the Director General of Civil Aviation, France.

My advice to would be travelers - stay away from Air France.