Virgin cancelled flight

ralph_wilson

My son has had his flight to Cuba in November cancelled by Virgin, (booked in January), he says they are are going to refund the cost back to his card. If he books with another airline it will cost him about 50% more. 

Now, this is the thing, I heard the travel expert Simon Calder saying on the radio a couple of days ago that if the airline cancels your flight they must provide you with a flight on the same day even if it is with another airline. Is this true, if so, how does he force Virgin to do it?

Sandtree

ralph_wilson said:
 Is this true, if so, how does he force Virgin to do it?

The rules are in four bands - on the day, under 7 days notice, 7-14 days notice and 14+ days... given you have had a touch more than 14 days notice they are not obliged to do anything beyond refund

ralph_wilson

Interesting, where can I read the chapter & verse on this?

Alan_Bowen

There are no other direct flights to Cuba from the UK for a start and as pointed out, no compensation is payable when more than 14 days notice is given, chapter and verse can be found at Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, happy reading!

onashoestring

ralph_wilson  you are correct 

When a flight is cancelled, however long before it was due to take off, you have a right to choose between...

• EITHER a refund for the flight that was cancelled.
• OR an alternative flight (airlines call this re-routing) to your destination.

This applies:

Regardless of how long before the flight you were told of the cancellation.

Regardless of what it was that caused the cancellation.

You are not entitled to the additional compensation which only kicks in when flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure.

This MSE article section 3 tells you how to go about getting the airline to book & pay for an alternative flight. 

Don’t request / agree to a refund if you want the alternative flight . 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/flight-delays/