Wow - this is a big one. I know there have been rumours but for them to actually go in to receivership is a big shock.
You really do have to feel sorry for those stuck abroad at the moment, and those people booked to go in the next few days. Reading over on the Dibb, the amount of families with children going on 'dream' holidays, it must be really hard on them.
One thing it does show is the value of booking flights on a credit card, an extra 3% might seem a lot but for the protection it gives you in situations like this, it is small fry.
Neil
Sad to hear that XL Airways have gone into administration. 2008 will go down in history as a very bad year for aviation and the travel industry as a whole. My thoughts are with the employees now out of a job, and to the passengers stranded abroad. Fingers crossed no other carrier goes bust this year.
Somebody has posted on a.net that VS are going to use G-VROS to operate a LGW-MAN-MCO-GLA-LGW relief flight on Monday for stranded XL passengers, and BA are sending a 777 out today to MCO.
The same thread also reports that a SFB-MAN flight got diverted to CDG as it was a flight using an A330 from sister carrier XL Airways France, and easyJet are apparently offering XL passengers to fly with them for 75 subject to availability.
One would imagine VS will be stepping in to help those 'stranded' in MCO by TCD.
Somebody has posted on a.net that VS are going to use G-VROS to operate a LGW-MAN-MCO-GLA-LGW relief flight on Monday for stranded XL passengers, and BA are sending a 777 out today to MCO.
The same thread also reports that a SFB-MAN flight got diverted to CDG as it was a flight using an A330 from sister carrier XL Airways France, and easyJet are apparently offering XL passengers to fly with them for 75 subject to availability.
This is very sad news for loyal clients of TCD...not me you understand.
Another example of a company happy to undercut the competition even if it means operating at less than equilibrium, unfortunately this is a long term spiral to 'low price' expectation from the public who then want it even cheaper and in the long term your stuffed as a business because there is no way of going back to profit. The banks arn't happy to let businesses work on an overdraft just to stay in business or solely to grab a slice of someone elses market share and then something spontaneous like fuel prices gets in the mix and its all over.
We all like a bargain, but when we start demanding/expecting things at cost price its pretty obvious the supplier of the goods and services won't be around for much longer.
Another example of a company happy to undercut the competition even if it means operating at less than equilibrium, unfortunately this is a long term spiral to 'low price' expectation from the public who then want it even cheaper and in the long term your stuffed as a business because there is no way of going back to profit. The banks arn't happy to let businesses work on an overdraft just to stay in business or solely to grab a slice of someone elses market share and then something spontaneous like fuel prices gets in the mix and its all over.
We all like a bargain, but when we start demanding/expecting things at cost price its pretty obvious the supplier of the goods and services won't be around for much longer.
EGG I understand your points but its worth remembering that XL were hardly small fry. They were the 3rd largest tour operator in the UK (behind TUI and Thomas Cook). I would imagine the recent mergers in the industry have hit them hard also.
Whilst you may not have flown them, they did serve a purpose in the market and to suggest they were just trying to steal the TUI/TC market share is a bit unfair. They were the largest tour operator to offer seats to smaller specialist operators such as Mark Warner for example and have been in the industry since 1993. T
From what I have heard problems came with writing off the 143million debt from the MBO.
It seems wholly unfair that the tour operator scene is now just dominated by two major players, who can undercut and force out mid size to large rivals. I dont see how the XL model is any different to the models operated by the LCC's and other TO's, sell as cheap as possible, make money off inflight sales etc.
Whilst you may not have flown them, they did serve a purpose in the market and to suggest they were just trying to steal the TUI/TC market share is a bit unfair. They were the largest tour operator to offer seats to smaller specialist operators such as Mark Warner for example and have been in the industry since 1993. T
From what I have heard problems came with writing off the 143million debt from the MBO.
It seems wholly unfair that the tour operator scene is now just dominated by two major players, who can undercut and force out mid size to large rivals. I dont see how the XL model is any different to the models operated by the LCC's and other TO's, sell as cheap as possible, make money off inflight sales etc.
One shocking revelation (for me at least) is if you booked direct with XL.com then you are definitely NOT ATOL covered [:0] - you are somewhat covered if you booked with a cred card probably - but otherwise you lose out in most respects; YOU pay for the repatriation flight if needed, you DON'T get a refund if you've booked but you haven't yet flown.
Does anyone know if you are a ATOL covered if you book direct with VAA???[?]
Does anyone know if you are a ATOL covered if you book direct with VAA???[?]
I dont think booking directly with any airline gives you any financial protection, unless you pay using a credit card (debit cards are more difficult to claim losses with though I believe)
ATOL does not cover airlines, it only covers tour operators.
Regards
ATOL does not cover airlines, it only covers tour operators.
Regards
Regards
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
Which raises the obvious question; if you pay with the Virgin Credit Card (Amex MNBA which is a credit card not a charge card as I understand it)for a VAA flight on the VAA website or through the FC would the Credit Card cover you for a failuare of VAA (or any other airline for that matter?)?.
Originally posted by NeilOriginally posted by vizbiz
Does anyone know if you are a ATOL covered if you book direct with VAA???[?]
Booking direct with an airline you are not ATOL protected. That is why paying on your credit card is a good thing because you are covered through that.
Neil
Special fares are now on the VS website
$299 for all destinations except Orlando/Miami to London/Manchester which $349
$299 for all destinations except Orlando/Miami to London/Manchester which $349
Thanks
Darren
Darren
French and German parts of XL have been saved, so XL Airways may still be seen around Europe...
http://www.xlairways.fr/fr/
http://de.xl.com/
They have been bought by http://www.straumur.net/en/
http://www.xlairways.fr/fr/
http://de.xl.com/
They have been bought by http://www.straumur.net/en/
Originally posted by McMaddog
What about things like charity/moneyback credit cards, I thought I noticed in the terms that you waive your rights to insurance etc on those types of card? I can't think of one as an example but I remember passing on one for this very reason.
When using a credit card the the credit card company is equally liable for the supply of goods and/or services you have bought. When using your card to buy a flight for example they are legally obliged to refund you the cost of this if the supplying company goes bust. This isn't an insurance policy is is law which I believe is covered in the consumer credit act.
Using a debit card offers very little if any protection, it is pretty much the same as using cash and once it's gone, it's gone. This is why you should always use a credit card to buy everything even petrol or the weekly shop as you are always covered when things go wrong.
Miopyk[8D]
Originally posted by p17bloOriginally posted by miopyk
This is why you should always use a credit card to buy everything even petrol or the weekly shop as you are always covered when things go wrong.
Miopyk[8D]
Not quite sure what can go wrong after you buy a tank of fuel.... [:D][:D]
Paul
Ah yes I thought that until a mate had several hundred pounds taken from his account a year or so ago and when he went to his bank they refused to refund the money as they claimed he must have given his pin to someone else.
It transpired that there was a big scam going on at a number of petrol stations where they had hacked the pin units, skimming cards and taking money out of peoples accounts.
It took him several months to get his money back and since then I don't use my debit card for anything except paying bills.
Miopyk[8D]
Originally posted by VirginHolidays
http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/info/ab ... fault.aspx
[;)]
Well done VH[y]
Helps people out and shows them what a good company VH are for any future holidays they want to book.
What's this now?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7613743.stm
The lead singer of Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson, who works as a pilot with the UK charter airline Astraeus, has also just returned from a flight to Sharm El Sheikh. He said people had given up leave to get a crew together for the flight.
[:O]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7613743.stm
The lead singer of Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson, who works as a pilot with the UK charter airline Astraeus, has also just returned from a flight to Sharm El Sheikh. He said people had given up leave to get a crew together for the flight.
[:O]
Originally posted by Sealink
What's this now?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7613743.stm
The lead singer of Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson, who works as a pilot with the UK charter airline Astraeus, has also just returned from a flight to Sharm El Sheikh. He said people had given up leave to get a crew together for the flight.
[:O]
He was interviewed on Breakfast this morning
Originally posted by miopyk
This is why you should always use a credit card to buy everything even petrol or the weekly shop as you are always covered when things go wrong.
Protection-wise yes, but I wouldn't go as far as saying that a credit card is the answer to paying for all your shopping.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 181 guests