Flight delay where do I stand

pufling

I have a holiday booking with virgin in April, as part of this booking I have a transfer in Doha, originally the in transit time between connections was about 2 hours, however this flight was cancelled and now it AI a 10 hour wait.

Their own terms and conditions state

Under EU Law, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday price from us. Your rights to a refund and/or compensation from us are set out in clause 10.If you are delayed for a reason other than Force Majeure and in respect of the main flights included in your Holiday, if the delay exceeds 3 hours we will ensure that you receive light refreshments; if it exceeds 6 hours, you will receive a main meal and in the event of a longer delay, wherever possible, you will receive meals and accommodation appropriate for the time of day.

However they are claiming that because the flight they booked stops at Doha and is not a virgin Atlantic flight then they do not have an agreement with the airline THEY booked then I have to find and book a hotel directly myself.

I have told them they need to get the airline they booked to take responsibility but there saying I either have to sit in the airport or book and pay for a hotel myself. They even admit if the delay had been this long at the time of booking they wouldn't have booked the flight. There also saying there is nothing they can do as they don't have anything in their contract with the airline (again I don't see how this is my problem)

What can I do, I don't want to sort & pay for my own hotel when I have already got a budget & at this late stage withe 6 weeks to go until we depart, I think the delay is excessive & they should be sorting something

richardw

Have you looked at Qatar Airways website to see if there is a better alternative?

copa_feela

This is not a delay, it is a schedule change. What do you want Virgin to do?

copa_feela

Looks like this does not count as a major change, and hence no compensation is due:

A change of resort area for the whole or a major part of your holiday,
A change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification for the whole or a major part of your holiday,
A change of UK departure airport (excluding change of London Airports),
A change of outward departure time or overall length of your holiday of twelve or more hours.

pufling

Virgin booked the package for me & even admit they would not have booked this flight if it had been the case when they booked, their own terms states

if it exceeds 6 hours, you will receive a main meal and in the event of a longer delay, wherever possible, you will receive meals and accommodation appropriate for the time of day.

So I think they should be booking a hotel while I wait for my flight home, as it stands they have me sat in the airport waiting for my connection from 10:00pm to 07:45am (5 hour flight then the almost 10 hour wait then another 7 hour flight the next morning)

copa_feela

pufling wrote: »

Virgin booked the package for me & even admit they would not have booked this flight if it had been the case when they booked, their own terms states

if it exceeds 6 hours, you will receive a main meal and in the event of a longer delay, wherever possible, you will receive meals and accommodation appropriate for the time of day.

So I think they should be booking a hotel while I wait for my flight home, as it stands they have me sat in the airport waiting for my connection from 10:00pm to 07:45am (5 hour flight then the almost 10 hour wait then another 7 hour flight the next morning)

You are quoting the provisions for delays, this is not a delay. Please reread my posts to understand your position.

pufling

I see what your saying, basically there adding a night in the airport for me whilst waiting for my connecting flight & pretty much have me screwed

copa_feela

pufling wrote: »

I see what your saying, basically there adding a night in the airport for me whilst waiting for my connecting flight & pretty much have me screwed

Yep, that's about right! Are there any hotel airports, or will any airport lounges be open?

I once had an eight hour stopover in Dubai and the time passed pretty quickly - get some food, mooch around the shops, more food, bit of sleep etc.

pufling

Oh well thanks for the advise, really annoyed with them though, you book a package thinking you don't have to worry & look lol

Biggest laugh is when there selling the holiday they make a song & dance about how well they will look after you & how your booked with a 5 star airline, but once they have your money that means nothing.

tori.k

Can you not pull the not as advertised card? and then (threaten) to ask for a full refund of the cost of the trip

richardw

Call Qatar Airways direct 0161 838 5394 with your details and see what they will do for you.