Virgin Atlantic - compensation?

Freddie

Hi - hoping someone might have some experience with this to help... I recently flew back from USA with Virgin Atlantic and had a cup of coffee spill into my lap due to the tray it was put on being wobbly, and the person in front of me putting their seat back suddenly.

The staff were very quick to react and I spent 4 hours at the back of the plane being treated for my burns, while my 2 kids were left alone. I then had to get a wheelchair as I couldn't walk, which caused a delay in getting home of over an hour. Not terrible, but not easy with 2 kids, exhausted from no sleep.

I feel I might be due some compensation - it would not have been so bad if perhaps the cup had a lid (as I have seen on most airlines.) Just wondered if anyone could advise how I go about this (Resolve letters?), and how do I calculate how much compensation to ask for. (I rarely travel long distance so air-miles wouldn't be acceptable.)

Thanks for any advice...

Westin

An unfortunate accident.

Sure the guy in front of you should have been more careful but seems like the airline attended to you well.

This need for grabbing compo for mishaps and minor accidents is out of control.

Freddie

@ Westin - Perhaps if you saw my burns and experienced the pain, not to mention the inconvenience, you might not think so! Try walking in someone's shoes before you judge.

If the airline had provided a lid, had ensured the tray table wasn't wobbly, had a little more space between seats so I could have gotten out of my seat quickly, perhaps the injury would have not occurred, or at least been less severe.

IAmWales

You knew the table was wobbly. You know people have a tendency to put back their seats without warning. You know coffee is hot and should be handled with care.

It is an unfortunate accident, but in future take more care with hot drinks.

Have you sought help from your GP regarding your burns? Given the severity you claim I'm surprised the flight wasn't met by an ambulance.

bigadaj

Freddie wrote: »

@ Westin - Perhaps if you saw my burns and experienced the pain, not to mention the inconvenience, you might not think so! Try walking in someone's shoes before you judge.

If the airline had provided a lid, had ensured the tray table wasn't wobbly, had a little more space between seats so I could have gotten out of my seat quickly, perhaps the injury would have not occurred, or at least been less severe.

So are you after monetary compensation, if so what do you expect?

Freddie

bigadaj wrote: »

So are you after monetary compensation, if so what do you expect?

So that was my question - I wondered if anyone had experience with this, and what would be usual.

photome

Can't really see how this is the airlines fault. I have never seen lids on hot drinks in airlines.

If anyone is to blame it is the guy in front of you in which case any compo should come from him.

What is it you want

photome

Freddie wrote: »

@ Westin - Perhaps if you saw my burns and experienced the pain, not to mention the inconvenience, you might not think so! Try walking in someone's shoes before you judge.

If the airline had provided a lid, had ensured the tray table wasn't wobbly, had a little more space between seats so I could have gotten out of my seat quickly, perhaps the injury would have not occurred, or at least been less severe.

Perils of travelling economy

k3lvc

photome wrote: »

Can't really see how this is the airlines fault. I have never seen lids on hot drinks in airlines.

Most European low-cost/charter airlines now use disposable cups with lids (and for some even an obligatory 'hot' sticker to remind you) - Can't imagine this is the case on a transatlantic Virgin flight

IMHO it's a hazard of flying/drinking - no real blame but if genuine then (depending on attitude of OP) I'd have expected a follow up from Virgin but certainly not any compo. If there are genuine losses then these should be covered by travel insurance but they're not going to compensate because the little kids (why are kids always involved in these stories) were left alone for a while

paddyandstumpy

Freddie wrote: »

@ Westin - Perhaps if you saw my burns and experienced the pain, not to mention the inconvenience, you might not think so! Try walking in someone's shoes before you judge.

If the airline had provided a lid, had ensured the tray table wasn't wobbly, had a little more space between seats so I could have gotten out of my seat quickly, perhaps the injury would have not occurred, or at least been less severe.

Pay for a better seat next time if you want more space.

At best I can see you're due a free coffee to replace the one split. Even then, it wasn't the airlines fault so it would be ex gratia.

Westin

The lids that the OP has seen on hot beverages are probably when they have flown on a LCC like Ryanair or easyJet, or even on BA's short haul BOB service. These paid for cups of hot drinks are considerably larger than the small service cups used on Virgin Atlantic which hold about 300ml. The lids are unlikely to help anyway if the whole cup tips from the fold down tray but may be useful in turbulent conditions.

I don't think that in all my flying days I have ever had a really hot cup of coffee served on a flight. In fact I believe that the hot water from the electric urns in flight is between 83-87 degrees when first poured.

Always a good idea to have one hand on the cup on the tray especially if you know that the tray was wobbly.

To be treated for FOUR HOURS by staff at the back of the aircraft and then having a wheelchair off the flight is quite something. I would have thought you would have been sent straight to hospital for medical treatment.

I was on an easyJet flight a few months ago when a passenger dropped (a lidded) hot drink on his lap. He was in the row ahead and to one side. The crew took him to the front galley and issued him with some ointment from the first aid kit and he went into the washroom to apply it. He returned shortly after and whilst with a stain and wet trousers was back in his seat, the crew gave him another hot drink.

I don't wish to sound to unsympathetic. It must of been unpleasant and an inconvenience but it was an accident. The passenger in front was perhaps clumsy and inconsiderate. The cabin crew did not spill the drink on you so I don't see this as being Virgin Atlantics fault and the need for them to compensate you.

You could certainly write to Virgin. The crew would have recorded the treatment given to you. Virgin might even give you 5000 frequent flyer miles. It won't be from an omission of liability over not providing a lid for your coffee, a wobbly table or seating too tight in Economy, but just perhaps a good will gesture. Where there's blame, there is NOT always a claim.

In my opinion your post does come over as being opportunistic and a compo grab. Sorry, just my view.