Virgin Atlantic operates in the EU and is covered under EC 261, protecting you against delays and cancelations that could have been prevented. If eligible, you could receive up to €600 in restitution for your troubles. Here’s all you need to know to help you claim the money you deserve.
What are Your Passengers Rights with Virgin Atlantic?
EU 261 protects your rights, regardless of the airline that you’re traveling on, as long as you’re in the European Union or meet other qualifying circumstances. Depending on the circumstances of your delay or cancellation, you have the right to a refund, rerouting, and care, including meals, accommodation, and more.
Flight Delay Compensation
When your flight is delayed more than two hours, you are entitled to basic care, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and transportation (where applicable), and access to communication. If your delay is three hours or more, you can also request reimbursement and transportation to your point of origin.
You are also entitled to compensation, which can be paid as a non-fundable transportation voucher or refundable voucher.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
Flight Cancellation Compensation
You may be entitled to additional compensation if you were notified of the cancellation less than two weeks before the departure and your new arrival and departure times are significantly different than your original times.
You’ll need to contact customer service to receive your compensation, which can be issued as non-refundable or refundable vouchers.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
The amount may vary based on the type of compensation you request, and you might get a better value when you choose their transportation credit.
Calculate your compensation
What to Do in Case of Delays or Cancellations?
Unfortunately, cancelation and delays happen. Here’s all you need to know.
Delays
- If your flight is delayed, take note of your original departure time, the date of which you were notified, and any other information that is relevant.
- If your delay is two hours or more and you’re already at the airport, you are entitled to care. Work with customer service to receive meals, refreshments, accommodation, transportation, communication, and more, though what you are entitled to will depend on the length of your delay.
- After you get to your final destination, contact customer service to receive additional compensation. Depending on the length of your flight and the destination, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
Cancellation
- If your flight is canceled, take note of your original flight, the date you were notified, and any other information that could be helpful.
- If your cancelation occurred before you arrived at the airport, work with customer service to rebook your flight or rebook it yourself.
- If your flight was canceled while at the airport, work with customer service to help get you on the next available flight. If you are entitled to care, they should offer it to you at this point.
- Following your flight, contact customer service for additional compensation, providing all documentation. You could receive up to €600 in compensation.
Virgin Atlantic Refund Policy
If you face a delay or cancellation while flying on Virgin Atlantic, you can request a refund. This could be a full refund if your trip hasn’t started or a partial refund if you’re on a specific leg of your journey. Either way, if the airline is at fault, you should get paid out.
Additionally, under EC 261, you can claim additional compensation. You are eligible to receive both, even if you get a full refund. It’s about holding airlines accountable for delays and cancellations within their control, so file a claim to see if you’re eligible to receive up to €600.
Recently Disrupted Virgin Atlantic Flights
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has nearly 40 years of experience getting people to their final destinations, with hubs in London-Heathrow and Manchester, England, with an additional focus city in Edinburgh, Scotland. They’re headquartered in Crawley, England, and have a fleet size of 36 carriers. Currently, they service 32 destinations worldwide, including North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Throughout the years, they’ve been recognized for their top-notch service, including the Global Five Star Award by Apex, TripAdvisor Top Airlines in Europe, and Best Major Airline. They don’t belong to an airline alliance but partner with Delta and Air France.
Virgin Atlantic Disruption Statistics
| Year | All Disrupted Flights | Cancelled Flights | Delayed Flights |
|---|
Conclusion
Virgin Atlantic is being held accountable for preventable delays under EC 261, and if you qualify, you could see up to €600 in compensation. To receive it, you have to file a claim, so it’s important you understand your rights and what you are eligible to receive from Virgin Atlantic. This page was updated on June 2023.