After many weeks/months of writing to Delta/Air France/Virgin Airlines, our claim for compensation for cancelled flights, missing connections and an unexpected overnight stay in New York, our claim has been rejected by Delta - partners of Virgin Airlines.My husband and I booked flights with Virgin Atlantic to Jamaica to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Our return flight from Montego Bay was scheduled via New York to Manchester. The flight from Jamaica was with Delta, an affiliated partner of Virgin Airlines. This flight was cancelled and by the time we arrived at JFK, our connecting flight to Manchester had left. In addition to the inconvenience of missing our onward flight back to the UK, our experience of a 5 hour immigration queue through JFK was horrendous! Passengers from 4 flights waited in line for hours with the elderly and young visibly distressed. Only 2 check-in desks were available with no assistance nor representatives from Delta or Virgin Airlines. We were abandoned by Delta and left to find our own accommodation in New York at 3am and to make our own way back to the airport the next morning. We made a claim to Delta and Virgin Airlines for compensation for cancelled flights, lengthy delays and accommodation and taxi costs. Our request was refused on the grounds that our 'full itinerary started and ended in countries that are outside the European Union. The European Court of Justice has ruled that the legal compensation set by the EC Regulation 261/2004 does not apply to such an ‘itinerary'Delta has the discretion to award us compensation but have consistently refused to do so. Travellers should be more aware of their travel rights (or otherwise!) before booking with Virgin Atlantic and their affiliated partners.Given that we are significantly out of pocket and booked our flights with Virgin Atlantic directly, surely the company has some obligation to compensate us for our reasonable costs? Our phone calls to customer services are re-directed to the website and it is impossible to speak to any representative of the company!We will not be using the service of Delta or Virgin Airlines again!
