Whenever flights get delayed or cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261 that helps protect passengers in such situations. Under EU 261/2004, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance. This article will focus on Virgin Australia Airlines flight compensation, explaining when you may be entitled to it and how to claim it.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
EU Regulation 261 is the regulation that covers air passengers’ rights. In particular, this regulation covers diverse cases, including rebooking, delays, flight cancellations, etc., and requires airlines to handle individual cases with fairness and care. If the incident happens because of the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences is entitled to get compensation. Furthermore, passengers can receive certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
EU Regulation 261 encompasses rules regarding the process of compensation, including aid for passengers affected by flight problems. In particular, the amount of compensation you can be eligible for is up to 600 euros per person. This sum varies, according to your circumstances.
Virgin Australia Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
First and foremost, passengers need to know that the airline is required to notify them about the flight cancellation. If the airline informs you under fourteen days before your flight date and does not provide any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261/2004, must pay you compensation of 250 – 600 euros.
At the same time, if a passenger is offered an alternative flight but reaches his destination later than the scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger might be entitled to compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations based on the length of the delay:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
Virgin Australia Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
The amount of compensation you may receive depends on the delay time, with longer delays generally resulting in higher compensation amounts. When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is required to pay compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, in such situations, the airline must also provide a passenger with food, drinks, and accommodation. See essential details on compensation in the table below:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
When submitting a compensation claim for a delayed flight, providing accurate flight details is essential to support your case.
Right to Care
Right to Care pertains to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which establishes common rules on assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays.
The “Right to Care” under EU261/2004 obliges airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers experiencing significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Snacks and beverages appropriate for the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
Upgrading and Downgrading
In situations where a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is good to know about upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In cases, when the airline provides you with a higher class (for example, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t be charged extra for this upgrade.
Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you are entitled to get reimbursement. Here, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation fully depends on the distance of a flight:
- 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less;
- 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance;
- 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance.
Keep in mind that these rights cover any flights inside the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union by airlines based in the EU.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, there are situations, when passengers aren’t eligible for compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Specifically, we refer to extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the airline’s control. A few examples are as follows:
- Bad weather conditions and natural disasters;
- Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks);
- A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance);
- Unruly or very ill passengers;
- Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew).
Moreover, if the airline could hypothetically have done something to prevent problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you might be entitled to compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
EU 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Virgin Australia Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from the EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Virgin Australia Airlines Compensation
Flight delay or cancellation can be a frustrating experience that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight delay or cancellation should understand the steps to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
08.01.202608:25 | Virgin Australia 7091 | (AKL) (ADL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202620:45 | Virgin Australia 6364 | (DOH) (BEY) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:35 | Virgin Australia 6057 | (BEY) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:30 | Virgin Australia 7414 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:05 | Virgin Australia 7434 | (HIJ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202617:25 | Virgin Australia 9340 | (CJF) (PER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202615:20 | Virgin Australia 6081 | (BCN) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:45 | Virgin Australia 9339 | (PER) (CJF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:40 | Virgin Australia 5484 | (SIN) (SAI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:20 | Virgin Australia 454 | (DRW) (BNE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:05 | Virgin Australia 6104 | (EDI) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:10 | Virgin Australia 5774 | (SIN) (HKG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:05 | Virgin Australia 9283 | (PER) (BYP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:40 | Virgin Australia 1283 | (SYD) (HTI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:40 | Virgin Australia 45 | (BNE) (DPS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:40 | Virgin Australia 6002 | (DOH) (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:35 | Virgin Australia 6194 | (DOH) (DUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | Virgin Australia 6370 | (DOH) (ARN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | Virgin Australia 5426 | (SIN) (KUL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:55 | Virgin Australia 6043 | (DOH) (DUB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:40 | Virgin Australia 5822 | (SIN) (CGK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:40 | Virgin Australia 9285 | (PER) (BYP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:30 | Virgin Australia 5764 | (SIN) (HKG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:30 | Virgin Australia 6184 | (EDI) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:10 | Virgin Australia 7423 | (HND) (HIJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:00 | Virgin Australia 5548 | (MEL) (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202606:45 | Virgin Australia 7445 | (HND) (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202602:40 | Virgin Australia 6195 | (DOH) (BER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202601:20 | Virgin Australia 6153 | (DOH) (DUB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202622:20 | Virgin Australia 6330 | (KWI) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202622:00 | Virgin Australia 94 | (DPS) (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202621:45 | Virgin Australia 7400 | (SYD) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202621:40 | Virgin Australia 6315 | (BER) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:00 | Virgin Australia 6035 | (ATH) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:50 | Virgin Australia 6399 | (DPS) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:45 | Virgin Australia 6355 | (DOH) (DPS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:45 | Virgin Australia 95 | (MEL) (DPS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:25 | Virgin Australia 9340 | (CJF) (PER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:00 | Virgin Australia 5831 | (CGK) (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:15 | Virgin Australia 8539 | (EWR) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:00 | Virgin Australia 9326 | (CJF) (PER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202615:10 | Virgin Australia 6121 | (FCO) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202614:45 | Virgin Australia 6038 | (BUD) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202614:45 | Virgin Australia 6167 | (DUS) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202614:20 | Virgin Australia 6053 | (DOH) (ATH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202613:38 | Virgin Australia 8060 | (LAX) (SFO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202613:35 | Virgin Australia 8114 | (LAS) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202613:25 | Virgin Australia 8049 | (SFO) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202613:00 | Virgin Australia 8027 | (ORD) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202612:40 | Virgin Australia 8045 | (LAX) (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202612:40 | Virgin Australia 8376 | (IAD) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202612:40 | Virgin Australia 1283 | (SYD) (HTI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202611:02 | Virgin Australia 8323 | (LAX) (DEN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202610:52 | Virgin Australia 8052 | (SFO) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202610:24 | Virgin Australia 8019 | (LAX) (IAH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202610:00 | Virgin Australia 8141 | (EWR) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202609:35 | Virgin Australia 6037 | (DOH) (BUD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202609:30 | Virgin Australia 6047 | (DOH) (FCO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202608:40 | Virgin Australia 8142 | (EWR) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202608:40 | Virgin Australia 6233 | (DUS) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202608:40 | Virgin Australia 5482 | (SIN) (SAI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202608:20 | Virgin Australia 6396 | (DOH) (DPS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202608:15 | Virgin Australia 7463 | (HND) (NGS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202607:55 | Virgin Australia 7441 | (HND) (OIT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202607:10 | Virgin Australia 7423 | (HND) (HIJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202607:00 | Virgin Australia 7427 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202607:00 | Virgin Australia 7411 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202606:45 | Virgin Australia 7445 | (HND) (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202606:00 | Virgin Australia 8139 | (EWR) (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202606:00 | Virgin Australia 601 | (BNE) (MKY) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202606:00 | Virgin Australia 7171 | (WLG) (BNE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202621:05 | Virgin Australia 897 | (MEL) (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202620:50 | Virgin Australia 351 | (MEL) (BNE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202620:45 | Virgin Australia 1467 | (MEL) (DRW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202620:30 | Virgin Australia 895 | (MEL) (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202620:20 | Virgin Australia 7442 | (ITM) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202620:20 | Virgin Australia 761 | (MEL) (OOL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202620:20 | Virgin Australia 545 | (SYD) (OOL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202620:00 | Virgin Australia 888 | (SYD) (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:55 | Virgin Australia 7424 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:50 | Virgin Australia 1330 | (MEL) (HBA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:50 | Virgin Australia 349 | (MEL) (BNE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:40 | Virgin Australia 397 | (BNE) (TSV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:30 | Virgin Australia 6069 | (JED) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:30 | Virgin Australia 7414 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:15 | Virgin Australia 7480 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:10 | Virgin Australia 6181 | (DOH) (ALA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:00 | Virgin Australia 882 | (SYD) (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:55 | Virgin Australia 6144 | (DOH) (NBO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:50 | Virgin Australia 347 | (MEL) (BNE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:50 | Virgin Australia 699 | (MEL) (PER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:40 | Virgin Australia 750 | (OOL) (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:35 | Virgin Australia 5738 | (SIN) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:30 | Virgin Australia 878 | (SYD) (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:30 | Virgin Australia 879 | (MEL) (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:20 | Virgin Australia 541 | (SYD) (OOL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:00 | Virgin Australia 874 | (SYD) (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202617:55 | Virgin Australia 346 | (BNE) (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202617:55 | Virgin Australia 697 | (MEL) (PER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202617:30 | Virgin Australia 871 | (MEL) (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
