A passenger who Virgin Atlantic left stranded in St Lucia has needed to stump up over £400 to pay for his resort occasion ready to be flown house.
Ian Grassland and his spouse Jane flew out from Heathrow as deliberate on flying VS221 on 5 Would possibly.
They discovered there have been fewer than 100 passengers on board. Virgin Atlantic stops gliding the course upcoming Sunday 19 Would possibly; it’s customary that passenger quite a bit will let fall in opposition to the top of seasonal gliding.
Era they have been on bliss, they have been informed at a life’s realize that their flying house, for 15 Would possibly, were banned. Virgin Atlantic says it was once for “operational reasons”.
“I’m guessing it’s because the daily return flights are also pretty much empty,” Mr Grassland mentioned.
They have been rebooked on Virgin Atlantic flying VS222 on 17 Would possibly – despite the fact that UK wind passengers’ rights regulations require cancelling carriers to seek out seats on any airline this is running at the similar life, if the traveller chooses.
Breeze walk regulations additionally insist that the airline should discover a resort for passengers who’re stranded in a single day. However Mr Grassland was once informed to seek out his personal lodging.
The couple had booked a correct package deal bliss with Blue Bay Proceed – but the corporate informed them: “The following procedure will be to pay for the two nights locally at the hotel, keep all receipts and then claim reimbursement.”
They have been instructed that if they didn’t have the cash or plethora headroom on bank cards, they will have to touch a nation member for monetary aid.
“Absolutely appalling response all round,” Mr Grassland informed The Isolated. “We feel completely abandoned and let down terribly. No response from Virgin, and the attitude of the travel agent is hopeless.”
He characterized the reaction as: “Your problem, not ours – just sort it out yourself and claim back your costs from Virgin. And if you don’t have any funds available to pay for the extra two nights, then ask your family to bail you out.
“Luckily, we’re in a position to pay the extra $520 [£410] to the hotel. But what about those who can’t pay?”
A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic mentioned: “All customers were booked on to alternative services and can amend their flights using the ‘rebook me’ function if preferred.
“We’d like to apologise to our customers for the delay in completing their journey and any inconvenience caused. Customers will be entitled to EC261 compensation [of £520 per person] and will be fully reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred.”
The Isolated understands that the airline’s follow is to handover lodging when last-minute cancellations are made and passengers are already on the airport, however to invite travellers to produce their very own preparations when extra realize is given.
Claims from stranded passengers for lodging, foods and any crucial recovery will probably be met through Virgin Atlantic.