Nope.

They said on the phone that we can either accept the new flight or have a refund but they will not compensate us or make any contribution towards our travel down to London.

Appalling service.

You need to google EU261/2004 and read up on your rights.

You are not entitled to any compensation because Virgin gave you more than 14 days notice.

You are entitled to either a full refund,or a full re-route.

Once you know your facts,you can go back to Virgin and point out the relevant section.If they still refuse,then you will need to threaten them with the small claims court.

eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do…

Articles 5 and 8 -

The airline must offer you a **choice** between a full refund and alternative flights, including a reroute. They must offer you both options. If the alternative flights depart to/from a different airport, then the airline must bear the cost of transporting you to/from that other airport.

Thank you for the link to the legislation.

I have read and re-read Article 8 and, unless I am missing something, it appears to be referring to repatriation.

Before I call Virgin again could someone confirm that it also applies to travelling on the outbound leg of your journey.

Karen

The pertinent part is Art 8.1(b) where it states that a re-route should be under comparable transport conditions. The airline cannot unilaterally cancel your flight and then turn round and say 'oh by the way you will have to make your own way 225 miles to the new departure point'. That simply isn't on as your reservation was from MAN-LAS not LGW-LAS.

You should push hard for the cost of the journey from MAN-LGW using public transport (try pricing up rtn rail fares) as you are entitled to be transported from your originally booked departure point.

An alternative might be one of the MAN-XXX-LAS flights.It means a connection in the US,which is more of a pain than a nonstop flight,but whichever way you go Virgin must make the arrangements or reimburse you.

I was going to suggest, as Virgin had recently announced new domestic route to Scotland, perhaps they could route the OP that way. However, a closer look shows those route to link to LHR, so not a lot of help to the OP whose flight now departs from LGW.

SWT

Virgin were supposed to be doing MAN-LHR from March so I'm surprised they haven't given OP that option plus a taxi between LHR & LGW.

I think this is a real shame from the airports point of view. Surely an airport the size of Manchester should be offering a year round direct service to one of the USA 's major tourist attractions. Not what I would expect of what is supposedly one of our best airports in the UK.

Regards

DilbertPhilbert