Flight delay and cancellation compensation, Virgin Atlantic ONLY

lornadarcy

Help! Obviously, I know people were affected more seriously than me but....6hr delay on much anticipated hols to Orlando Disney for Xmas, re-routed to Heathrow, up for 24hrs Arrived in Orlando for self catering hols when all shops shut - delayed start to hols and exhausted.. Spoken to Virgin who will not (currently) compensate for inconvenience although they will cover any expenses. Fair enough but... Understand it wasn't their fault but am sure Virgin will have claimed compo from Gatwick airport. Also surprised that Customer Relations Team member had not been given an official line to tell customers what Virgin could do about this - vouchers for hols would've been a nice gesture - is Virgin hoping no-one will complain? CR Team suggested that might change if enough people complained......

Tyzap

Hi lornadarcy,

Was this a flight only booking or a package holiday via Virgin?

jpsartre

lornadarcy wrote: »

Understand it wasn't their fault but am sure Virgin will have claimed compo from Gatwick airport.

Why would Gatwick Airport compensate Virgin for something that's entirely out of their control?

Caz3121

the legal requirement is for Virgin to provide duty of care.
I don't know what legal contract the airlines have with he airport but I doubt that the airport will be paying the airlines anything.
do you have a delay section on your travel insurance? (some pay small amounts eg £20 per 12 hour delay so may not cover anything for less of a delay)

jackieblack

lornadarcy wrote: »

Arrived in Orlando for self catering hols when all shops shut

Plenty of 24 hour restaurants and grocery stores in/around Orlando.

Not sure why you think Virgin should compensate you for something that was beyond their control - I understand it was disappointing and stressful but they got you to your destination albeit a few hours later than you expected.

Try your travel insurance?

BTW there was no drone strike, flights were suspended as a precaution after reports of a drone flying in the vicinity

LinBWales

Just to say that I have successfully claimed for a 7 hour delay on the Virgin flight from Vegas to London Gatwick on 23rd December. The plane was delayed by 7 hours leaving Gatwick - someone was unwell and then once it started to take off from London a technical fault was identified. I claimed on line and received an email today telling me that money would be put in my bank account in the next 30 days. Thought that anyone else on this flight might like to know

cambup

Thanks for that Tyzap. Just an update - I had some back and forth with the claims department which really was just them saying "no, it was extraordinary circumstances" and then ignoring any specific questions I asked about what measures they had taken to avoid the delay.
They closed my claim and pointed me towards an ADR. I just sent them an NBA, which they acknowledged but continued to say they wouldn't pay me. I filed with the small claims court and in pretty short order after that they have said they will pay me the compensation after all.
It is pretty frustrating, and frankly poor behaviour from the airlines (I expect Virgin is not alone in this), that they clearly have a policy of denying compensation if there is any kind of flimsy pretext for them to do so and just hope the passenger will give up pursuing it.
Anyway if anyone else in the next 5 years 9 months reads this and was on VS46 from JFK to LHR which was scheduled to depart on 15/11/18 then you should claim for compensation.

Tyzap

cambup wrote: »

Thanks for that Tyzap. Just an update - I had some back and forth with the claims department which really was just them saying "no, it was extraordinary circumstances" and then ignoring any specific questions I asked about what measures they had taken to avoid the delay.
They closed my claim and pointed me towards an ADR. I just sent them an NBA, which they acknowledged but continued to say they wouldn't pay me. I filed with the small claims court and in pretty short order after that they have said they will pay me the compensation after all.
It is pretty frustrating, and frankly poor behaviour from the airlines (I expect Virgin is not alone in this), that they clearly have a policy of denying compensation if there is any kind of flimsy pretext for them to do so and just hope the passenger will give up pursuing it.
Anyway if anyone else in the next 5 years 9 months reads this and was on VS46 from JFK to LHR which was scheduled to depart on 15/11/18 then you should claim for compensation.

Well done cambup:beer:

It just proves that you have to be very determine and forceful to get what you are rightly due.

It is completely wrong of the airlines to act in this way and the delayed passenger is just left to it by the regulator who is absolutely useless.

Great result:T

JPears

Well done.
Lets hope you get your money soon. Don't stop your court claim until the money is in your account.
Can i suggest a strongly worded letter of complaint to the CAA?
I am careful composing mine about my easyJet case.

hardingsue

Was anyone on this flight which landed at Gatwick instead of Manchester? Have you claimed compensation and/or been successful?
I registered a claim as soon as I arrived home but haven’t had a response despite it being over 28 days.