Virgin Atlantic: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
Virgin Atlantic compensation for delayed flight?
Virgin Atlantic is a British airline with headquarters in Crawley, England. The airline’s main base is at Heathrow Airport. Virgin Atlantic operates flights to various destinations in North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. As a British airline, since January 2021, the airline has to follow a new law -- Regulation UK261. If your flight gets delayed, cancelled or overbooked, you may be entitled to compensation up to £520.
How to claim Virgin flight delay compensation?
Virgin flight cancellation compensation / refund?
Check your compensation online!
Or continue reading to learn more about your rights.
Here are 5 main topics that we will focus on:
1. What to do if your flight is delayed?
2. What to do if your flight is cancelled?
3. How to claim Virgin flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim Virgin flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim Virgin Atlantic denied boarding compensation?
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
Your flight is delayed. What should you do?
It depends on where you are. What about the EU / UK flight delay compensation? Can you get it? In which situations can you receive Virgin flight delay compensation?
1.1 If you are still at home
What should you do when you find out that your flight is delayed?
Should you go to the airport or wait at home for a while?
You have to find out if check in for your flight has been delayed or not. Only then you will know what to do. What if you have already checked in online? It doesn’t matter, you still should find out if check in is delayed or not. You see, if check in is postponed, you don’t have to go to the airport yet. Your flight may even be cancelled altogether.
If check in is going to be delayed, wait for a while.
If check in isn't delayed, go to the airport as normally.
Do you have another flight you may miss?
There are two scenarios. If you have an airline-protected connecting flights, you are fine. The airline will book you a new flight for free, if you miss connecting flight due to delay. If you have multiple separately-booked flights, you won’t get a free ticket if you miss your connection. It’s not an airline protected transfer. Flights like these are called self transfer flights.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
Go to your check in counter.
If check in hasn’t started, for now just wait.
If check in is postponed, your flight eventually may get cancelled. That’s why it’s better to wait for a while, until you see that the check in for your has started.
If check has started, that’s a good sign.
Check in for your flight and proceed through airport security. If you have already checked in online, all you have to do is to proceed through airport security and go to your gate.
- 3 hour flight delay
Virgin Atlantic is a British airline.
And that means you are protected under the British law.
According to the Regulation UK 261 (which is almost identical to its European counterpart, Regulation EC 261/2004):
If, in case of flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding, you have to wait at the airport for 3+ hours extra, you have a right to receive care from the airline. Just like any other airline in the UK, Virgin Atlantic has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails (or internet access) and also a free meal and drink.
This applies to all Virgin delayed flights.
And to all its passengers (nationality doesn’t matter).
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
If the delay is longer, you may also get a hotel room.
Virgin Atlantic has to offer you free hotel room and free transfer.
Everyone has the right to this type of care.
1.3 If it is fault of Virgin Atlantic
That includes things like technical problems and staff shortage.
In this case, you may also be entitled to EU flight delay compensation.
Have you experienced a flight delay?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
1.4 Why do flights get delayed?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get delayed.
2. What to do if your flight is CANCELLED?
Your flight is cancelled. What should you do?
Are you entitled to a new ticket when your flight is cancelled? In which situations can you ask for compensation from Virgin Atlantic? Virgin Atlantic refund for cancellation?
2.1 If you are still at home
You need to find out what’s happening next.
Contact Virgin Atlantic, if they haven’t contacted you already. All passengers travelling to or from Britain (or within it), and also the EU, are protected under the British law (or EU law). The regulations state that airlines must offer every affected passenger a new flight or refund. If your flight is cancelled, you have a right to request a refund if you don’t want to take the alternative flight offered by the airline. For example, if it doesn’t fit your travel plans anymore.
If cancellation is due to the fault of the airline, you may have a right to compensation. More on that further below.
2.2 If you are already at the airport
You are at the airport.
You have found out that your flight has been cancelled. What should you do? Try to get in touch with the representatives of Virgin Atlantic to learn what’s happening next. Don’t go through airport security yet.
If your Virgin Atlantic flight is cancelled, you will be booked on another flight free of charge. And you will need to check in for that flight. That’s why you need to stay in the landside area of the airport. If you have gone through airport security, you need to go back to the landside area where check in counters are located.
Ask for a refund, if you don’t want to take any other flight.
- 3 hour flight delay
Virgin Atlantic is a British airline.
And that means you are protected under the British law.
Since Brexit, a new regulation has been introduced — UK 261, which is very similar to the EU Regulation EC 261/2004. If you have to wait at the airport because of delay, cancellation or denied boarding, you have a right to care from the airline. The airline must provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails and also a free meal and drink.
Cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances?
This applies to all flight cancellations of Virgin Atlantic.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
What if your new flight departs the next day?
Waiting overnight? You have a right to free accommodation.
The airline must offer you a free hotel stay and transfer. Every passenger has a right to receive these services for free. However, there are exceptions. It’s assessed case by case. And the airline may decide not to provide free hotel stays for the affected passengers. If, for example, the waiting time is 5 hours, it would take a minimum of 2-3 hours to take everyone to a hotel. Because it just doesn’t make sense, and may actually also make the whole situation worse.
2.3 If it is fault of Virgin Atlantic
That includes things like technical problems and bad planning.
If that causes a cancellation, it is considered fault of the airline.
And you may also be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
Have you experienced a flight cancellation?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
2.4 Why do flights get cancelled?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get cancelled.
3. How to claim Virgin flight delay compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
It must be due to the fault of Virgin Atlantic, and the delay should be 3+ hours. If this is what has happened, you are entitled to flight delay compensation. You may receive up to 600 euro (approx £520) per passenger. How to claim flight delay compensation? There are two options.
1. You can do it all on your own.
You can do it yourself.
Contact the airline using their website and request the compensation. Use the Virgin Atlantic compensation claim form if you can find it. Be prepared to fight for your rights. Airlines often wrongfully refuse to pay out compensation by not giving the right reasons for flight delay. Here you can see some of the most popular excuses airlines use to avoid paying compensation.
Contact us for legal help with Virgin Atlantic claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
Work with us if you want a hassle-free experience.
Fill in one form, and we will do the rest. In this case, we are your legal representatives. We will help you to get your Virgin Atlantic compensation faster and easier.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
That’s all from you. We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight delay compensation (same for the UK).
- How long does it take?
You won’t receive your money right away.
It will take 2 to 3 months, at least.
If the airline doesn’t want to cooperate, it will take longer than that. If you work with us, we’ll keep you updated on the status of your case.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country you are flying from.
In many countries in Europe, you can file a claim for flights up to 2-3 years old. But we would still recommend you to make a claim as soon as possible. The sooner you do it, the higher chance of success. The more likely you will receive your Virgin Atlantic delayed flight compensation.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No.
All passengers regardless of their nationality are protected under this law. The rules are the same for Brits, Europeans and tourists from other countries. Everyone can receive Virgin Atlantic flight delay compensation if their flight is heavily delayed.
You don't have to be European to get compensation.
- How much can you claim?
Depends on the distance of your flight.
The longer the flight, the more you can claim.
The amounts of Virgin flight compensation are between £220 — £520 per passenger. It doesn’t matter what is your nationality, the airline you are flying with, price of your ticket or do you have travel insurance or not. Even infants can receive full flight compensation if a flight is delayed for 3 or more hours due to fault of the airline.
4. How to claim Virgin flight cancellation compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
To be entitled to Virgin flight cancellation compensation, it must be a last-minute cancellation. And the cancellation must be due to the fault of the airline. What is considered a last-minute cancellation for this matter? If a flight is cancelled not more than 14 days before the planned date of departure, then it’s a last-minute cancellation. How to claim flight cancellation compensation?
There are two options.
1. You can do it all on your own.
Contact the customer service of Virgin Atlantic. Request compensation, quoting the Regulation 261. Be prepared to wait. Also be ready to fight for your rights.
Contact us for legal help with Virgin Atlantic claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
Work with us.
It’s the most hassle-free option.
We will do all the negotiations on your behalf.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight cancellation compensation (same for the UK).
- How long does it take?
How long does this process take?
On average, it takes 2 to 3 months. If you are claiming compensation yourself, it most likely will take longer. The airline may refuse to cooperate, and you may need to take your case to court.
However, if you work with us, we take the case to court on your behalf, and it's zero-risk for you. Just like in all cases, you pay only if you get the money. If you don’t get compensation from the airline, you pay nothing to us.
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
It depends from the local laws.
You may even make a claim 2 or 3 years after your flight is cancelled. It depends on the laws of the country you are flying from. Still we would suggest doing it as soon as possible.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, every passenger is protected.
When it comes to flight delays, flight cancellations and overbookings, you don't have to be European to have these rights and to receive European flight compensation. Everyone can receive Virgin Atlantic cancelled flight compensation / Virgin delayed flight compensation.
- How much can you claim?
The amounts are regulated by the EU / UK Regulation 261.
Here is how much you can claim for your flight:
- £220 — if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres;
- £350 — if the distance is between 1500 to 3500 kilometres;
- £520 — if the distance is more than 3500 kilometres.
These amounts are per person. They are the same for every passenger regardless of age, nationality and the airline. The price of the ticket and travel insurance also doesn’t matter. Even infants can receive full flight compensation if a flight is cancelled due to fault of the airline.
5. How to claim Virgin Atlantic denied boarding compensation?
You may get denied boarding even if you have a valid ticket.
Overbooking happens quite often. Airlines sell more tickets than there are seats to keep flights full even when no-show or ticket changes happen. But what happens if everyone shows up for their flight? Every time that happens, some passengers are denied boarding. Passengers can voluntarily give up their seats, or they may not be given a choice at all. If the latter has happened to you, you are entitled to denied boarding compensation.
With Virgin Atlantic it applies to all their flights.
Compensation amounts — £220, £350 or £520.
Mostly you can get both — a new flight and compensation.
It applies only to overbookings. If there are problems with your travel documents, visa, or your passport expires soon, then you won’t be entitled to any compensation from Virgin Atlantic. You can’t get compensation also when you give up your seat voluntarily. The latter is what sometimes is referred to as voluntary boarding denial.
Check your compensation online!
Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation (same for the UK).
By Europe and EU we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Remember, whenever your Virgin Atlantic flight is delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding - you might be entitled to flight compensation. File a claim to get it sorted out right away!