It looks like Virgin Atlantic is expecting muted demand for some time to come, with the airline announcing that it will extend free changes to tickets to April 30, 2023.
Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000 at London Heathrow – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
According to their rebooking page, the airline states:
When you book to travel any time up to 30th April 2022, you can make unlimited date changes and one name change free of charge (if you’d like someone else to benefit from your ticket). You’ll just need to use your ticket by 30th April 2023.
We’ll also waive any difference in the fare if you fly by 31st May 2021.
It’s important that you make any changes before the date you were originally due to travel.
This policy applies to bookings made on or after 6th February 2021, and to flights which are cancelled from 6th February 2021 (regardless of when you booked).
The full changes are at https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/news/coronavirus/no-change-fees-policy.html
In Quotes
On Twitter, Virgin Atlantic Chief Commercial Officer Juha Jarvinen said:
We @VirginAtlantic understand the difficulties that ongoing travel restrictions may pose to our customers, and the need for flexibility. From today, we are introducing unlimited opportunities to make free changes, all the way until 30 April 2023
Lots of flexibility for passengers, trying to keep the cash in the airline
With a change like this, it seems Virgin Atlantic could already be conceding that the Spring/Summer 2021 season is going to be muted at best, with the trend continuing into 2022 at least.
And extended those booking options is one way to keep money in the airline.
It’s going to be a long road to recovery – and every penny they can keep, whilst they recover is going to matter…
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