VS44 April 6th

Sounds like a fairly torrid time for people on the VS44 on April 6th.

Typical newspaper journalism though - they've based an entire story on the account of one angry passenger.

I fear he'll be sorely disappointed (not to mention out of pocket) if he pursues legal action - the level of compensation you're entitled to is set out clearly in EU law.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transpor ... 66744.html

I have never been in this position and never wished to be, unless I have no work the next day and VS offering free flights as compensation

I probably will never be the one ranting at the agents at the desks. I would rather fly on a delayed but safe aircraft than a faulty on-time aircraft.

The fault will take however long it takes to fix. Of course everyone wants a hotel to stay in.

(Meant to post this in Departure Lounge, sorry!)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/trave ... board.html

Already talked about here

forum/index.php?f=4&t=289458&rb_v=viewtopic

Oh dear, that doesn't look good, but the article seems to be a bunch of drama queens demanding more than they're entitled to. Be interesting to see if they do take out a group action.

[Nottingham Nick]

Topics merged as per Tonty's suggestion. y) y)

Nick

The Evening Standard article implies some special success on a previous group action - "It follows a similar group action which saw Virgin Atlantic forced to pay £47,600 compensation to a group of 101 air passengers who were delayed for over 26 hours on a flight from America to the UK in 2012.". Well on the exchange rate applicable then the claim resulted in around €596 each so looks like a standard €600 to me.

It's tough for the passengers and tough for the airline - safety & comfort for the flight is paramount while the airline probably had to decide by 12 noon regular hotel checkout time if another full night accomodation was needed (only to be 'beaten' by local weather delaying the repair further). As a passenger you are just confronted with one delay after another while wishing they had left you at the hotel until they knew it was ready to fly but the airline really does want to get you home asap (but safely) for which they need you all at the airport. So lots of sympathy for the flyers, the crew and the airport team having to deal with the situation.

Originally thought of staying on in LAS for Easter but now rather glad I flew back on 4th rather than waiting until 6th now

The Evening Standard article implies some special success on a previous group action - "It follows a similar group action which saw Virgin Atlantic forced to pay £47,600 compensation to a group of 101 air passengers who were delayed for over 26 hours on a flight from America to the UK in 2012.". Well on the exchange rate applicable then the claim resulted in around €596 each so looks like a standard €600 to me.

That's correct. Essentially the case was about whether EU261 applied or not i.e. was it an 'extraordinary circumstance' or not. The judge rules it was not extraordinary hence the payout.


In this new case all they would get is the €600 under EU261 - which the Standard article says VS will be paying anyway - plus whatever VS decided was extra for 'good will' (plus whatever travel insurance would cover).

I don't think any court would be willing to award any extra compensation en block.

Thanks for clarifying Tontybear, wasn't quite sure what the earlier group fight was about (especially as VS have a good reputation for trying to be fair about compensating for problems like broken IFE with airmiles, rewarding comments -good or bad - with airmiles or keyrings or thank you letters etc).

I feel sorry for the passengers who clearly had a tough time although perhaps not for the banker who's quoted. Maybe I'm being unfair but I can quite imagine him being a total **** with the ground staff at LAS, demanding the earth and threatening to sue and go to the papers when they were presumably doing their best to cope with an ever-changing situation.

been delayed in Vegas...
I would call that WIN!

When life gives you a delay, find the pub!

Bad week. I think this a G-VROY on which we were delayed 24 hrs the week before at Orlando. Aircraft was there for 3 days.

VS staff were excellent and having to work long past their finishing time. We had 2 fellow UC passengers ranting because Economy passengers were being dealt with quicker DYKWIA. Fact was we were being rebooked via Atlanta as the following days UC was full whilst there was plenty of space in Ecomony. Rebooking takes time especially finding space on other carriers 2 days befor Easter. One of them later stated that there was a genuine problem with the aircraft but had originally thought the change was VS's way of getting the aircraft back quicker to use elsewhere.

Needless to say DYKWIA was going to write to VS complaining about staff and poor service so I immediately emailed Croydon with correct version of events. Every passenger was handed leaflet offering FC points but no mention of Euro compensation.