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[Travel] Pox flight delays



Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
59,484
The Fatherland
In the very early days of VA (definitely in the first year), I flew to NYC return - delayed by a couple of hours both ways.

The next day I was in the office and my PA patched through a call from VA:

“What do they want?”
“Dunno; but he says he’s Richard Branson”.

It was too...

“Sorry for the delays... yadda yadda... you’ll find something at home for you and your wife...”

Yep - 2 upper class return tickets to NYC - valid for any flight in next 2 years; 4 dozen roses.

That’s how you do it. Payback? Here I am decades later, still telling the story.


Another example of brilliant customer service:

I was staying at the Four Seasons in Vancouver (Seattle?), and had to change my plans at v short notice and get to Singapore (HK?). I go to the front desk and ask them to book me a room in Singapore. Get a flight and a taxi to the hotel.

I walk up to a check-in clerk who, before I say anything, looks up, smiles, and says “Good evening, Mr G1976, how was your flight from Vancouver?”

Excellent customer service is so easy to achieve if you have the drive from the top to make it happen, the systems, and recruit only those people who buy into the ethos. Not so simple then - but so very powerful.

Interesting. I have flown Virgin many times and speak very highly of them and always feel they look after me. I have never had Richard ring me, or had any freebies, but one story involves attempting to fly to NYC two or three days after 9.11. Their management of this difficult time was exemplary. The airport was chaotic, air space and border were be closed and opened and closed again. Flights were scheduled then cancelled. But Virgin handled everything brilliantly. They had a lady with a radio and a clipboard on the floor away from the desks running everything, keeping folk informed as best she could and dealing with everyone one by one and offering alternatives in a calm way in an ever changing situation. I opted to fly via Toronto as direct flights to NYC were not happening but was told I was in priority three as there were folk with more pressing needs in one and two. Everything was explained clearly and fairly. I was told to come back in a specified time and she would tell me which flight I would hopefully be able to get on. She was dealing with many many people by the way, some in quite distressed states. I came back and was given my flight details as she said. I couldn’t ask for more and was impressed with how this single person was handling everything. Like you I have told this tale to many. Whilst at the airport I also witnessed the utter chaos around the desks of a rival British airline company....I have also told this to many.

I was also helped out by VA when, due to my own ****-wittery, I missed a flight from JFK. This was no one else’s fault but mine and it should have cost me. But they laughed, and moved me for a small admin or tax fee or something.
 




Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
59,484
The Fatherland
Did our friend make it to Berlin?
 


Pinkie Brown

I'll look after the skirt
Sep 5, 2007
3,541
Neues Zeitalter DDR
Don't let the airline get away with pretending the issue falls within 'extraordinary circumstances'. It doesn't.

Lots of them will wrongly and deliberately cite 'extraordinary circumstances'.

I had to get my home insurance legal cover solicitor to send a Letter before Claim to an airline to get them to shell out, after my own LBC was met with the above excuse, even though I argued it was not true. I would have happily sued them but they ignored me in pre-action letters, then I realised I could get a free solicitors' letter sent.

Worth checking your insurance policies for free legal cover.

I had that excuse from Norwegian on a flight from Schönefeld to Gatwick four years ago after a six hour plus delay. It was a technical delay at Gatwick which does not come under the category of 'extraordinary circumstances'. Norwegian have form for being one of the most obstructive airlines when it comes to paying delay compensation. Worse than Ryanair which is quite an achievement. After several rounds of email & letter tennis, I passed it over to a specialist firm of lawyers I was recommended who's cut was extremely fair. It eventually went to court somewhere in Cheshire where unsurprisingly Norwegian failed to show and I won the case. They never defend any case as they know they will lose, but it's still the cheaper option than paying out every legitimate claim prior. According to a member of the lawyer staff I spoke with, this is standard behaviour from Norwegian. They play the percentages game, knowing a great many will throw in the towel along the way after having obstacles placed in their path. Initially they will ignore any correspondence until you threaten them with court.

If the OP wishes to check out the company I used, PM me and I'll pass on their details. I've no idea what Easyjet are like regarding claims, but if they are difficult I would recommend the people I used for sure.
 




Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
59,484
The Fatherland
It's EU regulations so another thing to lose out on

Not completely true. If the flight departs or arrives in an EU country you are still covered. So angry and selfish gammons flying to Magaluf can still try it on with the compensation. Remainers with their more imaginative, adventurous and exotic travels will be stuffed.
 






albionfan37

Well-known member
Aug 14, 2014
4,154
What’s it called? Cumbernauld
I had that excuse from Norwegian on a flight from Schönefeld to Gatwick four years ago after a six hour plus delay. It was a technical delay at Gatwick which does not come under the category of 'extraordinary circumstances'. Norwegian have form for being one of the most obstructive airlines when it comes to paying delay compensation. Worse than Ryanair which is quite an achievement. After several rounds of email & letter tennis, I passed it over to a specialist firm of lawyers I was recommended who's cut was extremely fair. It eventually went to court somewhere in Cheshire where unsurprisingly Norwegian failed to show and I won the case. They never defend any case as they know they will lose, but it's still the cheaper option than paying out every legitimate claim prior. According to a member of the lawyer staff I spoke with, this is standard behaviour from Norwegian. They play the percentages game, knowing a great many will throw in the towel along the way after having obstacles placed in their path. Initially they will ignore any correspondence until you threaten them with court.

If the OP wishes to check out the company I used, PM me and I'll pass on their details. I've no idea what Easyjet are like regarding claims, but if they are difficult I would recommend the people I used for sure.

Thanks very much I’ll bare that in mind if they are not forthcoming
 


Herr Tubthumper

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Jul 11, 2003
59,484
The Fatherland
Yes I made it to Dresden just lost a day with the littlen now at schonefeld waiting to go home seems not any bother so far......

Good news :thumbsup:
 




Tom Hark Preston Park

Will Post For Cash
Jul 6, 2003
70,150
If the OP wishes to check out the company I used, PM me and I'll pass on their details. I've no idea what Easyjet are like regarding claims, but if they are difficult I would recommend the people I used for sure.

I've had to claim from Easyjet once or twice and can't fault them really. It's a simple online form and have always found the process to be prompt and quibble-free. Unlike BA.
 


Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
59,484
The Fatherland
I've had to claim from Easyjet once or twice and can't fault them really. It's a simple online form and have always found the process to be prompt and quibble-free.

A lot of people give EasyJet a tough time but I generally find them very good.
 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
24,472
West is BEST
A lot of people give EasyJet a tough time but I generally find them very good.

The ones who give it a tough time are the folks who fly once or twice a year, still think air travel is some sort of wonderous adventure and expect to be treated like royalty because they bought a £27 ticket to Tenerife.
People who travel on and off throughout the year appreciate their efficiency and value for money.
Again, it boils down to thick people being thick :)
 




Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
59,484
The Fatherland
The ones who give it a tough time are the folks who fly once or twice a year, still think air travel is some sort of wonderous adventure and expect to be treated like royalty because they bought a £27 ticket to Tenerife.
People who travel on and off throughout the year appreciate their efficiency and value for money.
Again, it boils down to thick people being thick :)

Agree. Some of the abuse, and accusations and plain lies, punters give the staff is unreal as well. No overhead locker space directly above their seats is often a cause. I once chatted to a cabin bloke about this and he agreed, and when I mentioned pissed up stag and hen does he said 9/10 times they’re fine and whilst loud they’re happy and obey cabin crew commands etc. At times it seems a shitty job being cabin crew; I always say thank you for looking after me when I get off a plane these days; I want to make a point there are some people who value and appreciate them.
 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
24,472
West is BEST
Agree. Some of the abuse, and accusations and plain lies, punters give the staff is unreal as well. No overhead locker space directly above their seats is often a cause. I once chatted to a cabin bloke about this and he agreed, and when I mentioned pissed up stag and hen does he said 9/10 times they’re fine and whilst loud they’re happy and obey cabin crew commands etc. At times it seems a shitty job being cabin crew; I always say thank you for looking after me when I get off a plane these days; I want to make a point there are some people who value and appreciate them.

Agreed.
A mate who works for a budget airline says the worst ones used to be business men being suggestive/demanding but in the last ten years it has by a long margin become parents of under tens.
They attribute it to the rise in focus on children’s happiness. Everywhere they go, either out and about or within their own families , kids are the focus of attention . What can we do for the little ones? What would the little ones like to do? Is she allergic to anything? We have a special kids menu for the little ones yadda yadda yadda. But on a plane it’s safety first, so sit down, strap in and fend for yourselves.
It’s not the kids apparently , they mainly sit quietly with a book or tablet. It’s the entitled parents who are used to their kids being fussed over.
 


Cowfold Seagull

Fan of the 17 bus
Apr 22, 2009
21,620
Cowfold
What peeps need to realise is, it doesn't matter if you are delayed on departure, just as long as you ARRIVE on time.

A reasonable amount of wobble room is often built into the schedule anyway, to help ensure that this is achieved.
 




Pickles

Well-known member
May 5, 2014
1,315
Slightly off topic, I'm looking to book a return flight to Hamburg at the end of this month, for March next year. I haven't been abroad for years so am out of touch with things. What's the best site to use, or do I just go direct to easyjet?
 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
24,472
West is BEST
Slightly off topic, I'm looking to book a return flight to Hamburg at the end of this month, for March next year. I haven't been abroad for years so am out of touch with things. What's the best site to use, or do I just go direct to easyjet?

Go direct.
It’s a doddle but if you’ve not flown for a while, do read the T’s & C’s regarding your online check in time, what you can carry on, time to turn up at airport for security checks etc.
Once you familiarise yourself with that, which is very easy, you’re away.
Have a lovely time, Hamburg is very nice.
 


Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
59,484
The Fatherland
Slightly off topic, I'm looking to book a return flight to Hamburg at the end of this month, for March next year. I haven't been abroad for years so am out of touch with things. What's the best site to use, or do I just go direct to easyjet?

Go EasyJet direct, it will not be cheaper anywhere else from my experience. Also, download their app as it makes booking, checking in, boarding card and flight info a doddle.

And, we don’t want you missing your Fridat Punk IPA ———-> https://www.brewdog.com/bars/global/stpauli/
 


Sussexscots

Fed up with trains. Sick of the rain.




Cowfold Seagull

Fan of the 17 bus
Apr 22, 2009
21,620
Cowfold
Go direct.
It’s a doddle but if you’ve not flown for a while, do read the T’s & C’s regarding your online check in time, what you can carry on, time to turn up at airport for security checks etc.
Once you familiarise yourself with that, which is very easy, you’re away.
Have a lovely time, Hamburg is very nice.

Especially the Reeperbahn on a Saturday night. :drink:
 


doogie004

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2008
6,438
wisborough green
A lot of people give EasyJet a tough time but I generally find them very good.

Slightly off topic but as a private hire driver who does around 450 drops and pick ups from Gatwick a year the least amount of complaints I get are from easyJet as well. They are what they are and people accept that . Ba and other airlines are a different matter


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


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