Virgin Playing Games??

[willclan]

A friend of mine was booked on Virgin VA1294 Cairns to Melbourne on 4th July, at 1300. Two days ago they received a message that the flight had been cancelled and they had been rebooked on a flight the same day, but via Sydney. I looked at the flights that day, the 1300 flight had certainly disappeared from the schedule. I advised them to ring Virgin, and they were transferred to VA 1292 at 1115, a direct flight to Melbourne the same day. Good outcome.

Today I looked at the schedule and VA1294 has magically reappeared as a 1345 flight from Cairns, but the price has jumped dramatically from $275 to $595!! As this is school holiday time I am really wondering whether this has been deliberate action by Virgin to play around with the flights to make as much money as possible out of the poor punters, and I also wonder whether this is even legal. Over to wiser heads, thank you.

 

[AIRwin]

Can your friend call to ask to reinstate their booking on the original flight?

 

[Bagpuss]

You just call them and they will move you back the pricing doesn't matter as it's referred to as an involuntary change. It doesn't matter if you paid for a Choice fare and only a flexi is available, they will move you.

If you want extra sectors and extra Status Credits remain on the via Sydney flight. The reality is Virgin loose money on re-routing like this as they have to pay the airport taxes and fees which eats into their revenue.