I am due to travel to Japan this coming Thursday. However, following numerous phone calls with Virgin Atlantic Airways, it seems they are only interested in profiteering from the current disaster insisting exuberant fee of CHF 250 per ticket, to postpone my booking by only a couple of weeks. As Japan is currently considered a danger zone, this seems totally inhumane and opportunists for such a large well known company. We are very much concerned if there are other people who are in similar situation like me.
That's shocking to hear that Virgin Atlantic is not going to accommodate you. All other airlines are doing it for free, and have links on their homepages with Japan policy updates.
I highly advise you to post your experience on the flyertalk.com
forums, I am sure there it will raise some eyebrows!
Perhaps you just spoke to the wrong person. Ask them to reconsider, and tell them you would publicize this if they do not. Then ask for the full name of the person you are speaking with. Do this firmly, and they will likely think twice and pass it on to their superior. If their PR people hear of this situation, I am sure they would change their minds. I'm dead serious.
Hi Phos, yes, I spoke to supervisors, a person in charge, as well as a customer service. They all give me the same answer. One of them actually said, "I would not recommend you travel to Japan so soon after the quake." It is truly upsetting...
Thank you Deep Purple for your reply. It is comforting that you guys reply with helpful ideas. I am touched. At this time, Virgin Atlantic is not changing their mind about the expensive charge in rescheduling my flight. They don't seem to understand how serious the situation is right now...
I am traveling to Tokyo. But the whole of the country is affected following this disaster. Train service is running at the moment 20 - 30 % of the usual service and they are limiting electricity supply for much of the country. Even if I manage to land in Narita Airport, there will be disruptions and difficulties traveling from the airport.
I told Virgin Atlantic that I am concerned for my safety, and I am sure so are many people, who are booked to fly this week. I just wished, they would understand and help. I am sickened that they take advantage of unfortunate situation like this. It is so wrong.
you might want to take a look at this link which is Virgin's page regarding current flight disruption to Japan. Is the flight actually going? It's not obvious that this option is available to people whose flights aren't cancelled, but you could try nevertheless and refer to the webpage. It might just help...
Thank you Snoopy, just like others who replied, you went out of your way to find a link for me. I am so thankful that you guys are so kind. Isn't it ironic? You guys have never met me yet so helpful. And Virgin Atlantic? ... as long as they have my money... they just don't want to help.
No, the regions south of Kanto are not affected. Cities like Nagoya, Osaka and anything south is as per normal, electricity and and transportation. The planned outage is only happening in the Kanto region and up north. My friends in Osaka are getting a bit annoyed at CNN, who are making it sound like the whole country is a mess, which it is NOT.
I do find it a bit too much if people started demanding free cancellation to ANY destination in Japan, to those that are not affected. But yes, in OP's case, it is understandable... I hope it works out for you. Singapore Airlines is accepting any changes, and cancellations at no charge for the time being...
I would make them very aware that than any delays on their part would be heavily penalised by you. Make sure you pay with a Credit Card, this way it's not yolu directly who attacks but the credit card company
If you have paid withg a credit card, it maybe possible to cancel due to "unforseen circumstances" by asking the Credit card to do chargeback on your card. Best bet would be phone them and see.
Anyway, going to Japan at this time unless it's for a humanitarian cause is about as much use as a vegitarian tiger