Sorry to hear your experience Shadabing!

Good to hear that VX called you personally, but once again, they could not tell you if there was a FAM on board - before and after the flight! Same apply to other airlines! So no matter how hard you push or even file a lawsuit (maybe the judge will permit the airline to tell you then)! They cannot tell you that there was a FAM on board! I am sure if it is an overbook situation or other similar situation, they will not hesitate to tell you about it! They really can't get away with it! After hearing the responses from VX and how they really can't tell you the reason, I am convinced that it is a FAM issue, rather than overbooking or VIP or seat malfunction!

But one thing you should push is "Why are your wife and you selected in this case to give up your F seats?" I assume that you are bumped off because you are the last two passengers checked in, which should be the case, but if you two are bumped off because you bought the promotional fares, I actually will be more upset about it and maybe grounds for getting a bit more travel voucher! Since VX has no elites, there must be some kinds of criteria.

Compensation - I really don't know what is appropriate in your case! They give you a $500 travel voucher, which is good for an one way ticket from LA to JFK in F, which also covers the total fare on your ticket. I think it is actually very generous of them. Last time when I flew AS on a F fare from SFO to SEA, my flight got canceled and they gave me $200 voucher and one upgrade certificate, which is pretty common these days for legendary airlines. Even if you ask for a fare difference between F and Y, it is hard to determine the amount! I am also under the impression that VX tickets are non-refundable and even F tickets. If you don't use your F tickets, they will just return the fares into a VX credit account, and you can use that chunk of money for another VX flight within a year. In Y, you just get $40 deducted from the amount. So VX doesn't really give cash refunds, somewhat same as Jetblue!

But to clarify, I assume that you are seeking the actual refund of the fare differences between F and Y right?

Sometimes I wonder if DOT or FAA or TSA should really come up with a compensation package for passengers who got bumped because of a FAM... or at least an official guideline... So this kind of cases can be resolved in a consistent manner, rather than depending on the individual airline.

About VX, I really think it is beyond a budget airline and the whole first class experience surpasses my recent AA and UA flights including p.s, American flagship transcon (if they still call LAX/SFO-JFK transcon that name). The F/As are friendly and can't be more helpful! As an EXP, AA treats me alright, but VX's flights are just that much better that I actually have flown VX on my couple recent transcon flights in F and Y. I think the food is a bit weak compared to AA flagship dinner, but these days, AA transcon lunch is just ridiculous, as a turkey and cheese sandwich or an antipasto plate are just not appropriate business class meals. Sure no ice cream sundaes (only available at dinner AA J flights and all AA F Lunch and dinner flights anyway... UA only p.s. F got sundaes in lunch and dinner flights), but the dessert trios are nice... not to mention unlimited access to Y class snacks. The F seats are also much better than AA J premium transcon seats (even the so lie flat business class seats NGBC that AA has recently introduced if you ask me), and p.s UA J seats (except the exit row, which has tremendous legroom). VX leather seats are really comfortable and perfect for sleeping.

About Y pax using F bathroom on these narrowbody fleet, I actually don't have a problem as long as F passengers are given priority, and second, no line was formed in the F cabin or galley at anytime given. That is fine with me! I am sure we have been on situation, when a cart is blocking the aisle and you really need to go bad and the F bathroom is vacant. But I agree a curtain, even the transparent one, is a good deterrent... maybe VX should give it some thoughts!

Just to clarify, the entertainment system is the same for F and Y in VX, but in F, you don't need to pay for movies and premium TV, while Y has to pay for it except the recent holidays promos that Y got free premium TV for Christmas and New Year.

Keep us posted on how VX is going to handle the case!

Carfield