Some friends and family members are traveling SFO-FCO this summer. They can each save about $300 if they book SFO-BRU-SFO and BRU-FCO-BRU instead of SFO-FCO-SFO.

The way the itinerary looks, they would get into BRU and then have a reasonable connect time - 3-4 hours - before catching their flight to FCO.

What I'm wondering though is if they should be severely delayed on their AA flight into BRU and miss their flight to FCO, is there much likelihood the second airline would allow them to take the next available flight without causing them to buy a new ticket at whatever the fare is that day? They will be traveling on non-changeable/non-refundable tickets on Virgin Express.

I wouldn't risk it. With non-refundable / non-changeables, the airline is not likely to smile upon changes due to a late arrival.

One more technicality: they will have to claim baggage, recheck it, and clear customs in BRU. Still more time needed for that. On a good day, it would all work out, but sounds like the reward's not worth the risks.

From my experience, the nested airline has no responsibility to you due to a problem with your first airline.

I do not believe they would be very accomodating since it would not have been Virgin Express' fault if the AA flight was delayed.

But - of course - I do not fly those two airlines. So I could be totally wrong.

William

I've never flown on Virgin Express, but I strongly believe it is in the family of the notorious point-to-point European airlines such as Ryanair, Go, and easyJet. These PTP airlines will not recognise a connecting flight delay as a reason to reissue a ticket.

The reason these airlines make a profit on cheaper flights is because the revenue is guaranteed once the booking reference has been issued.

Non-refundable and non-changeable.

Out of curiosity: do you have tickets or just a booking reference that you got via Virgin Express's website? Did you even have the option of buying Virgin Express in conjunction with your AA journey? If not, then Virgin Express are indeed a PTP airline.

If you don't have a physical ticket, you won't even be able to have it endorsed over to another airline in the event of a severe delay. That is also part of this type of airline's standard operating procedure.

Virgin Express also don't have the best ontime performance, at least out of and to the UK, so beware of making your return part of the journey as well.

Buon viaggi!

Good question. I have often wondered this myself. This is why I never try to use different airlines when connecting. I am thinking that since there is a record of your travel, the 1st airline would take responsibility if miss your connection.

I also wonder how missed flights should be handled due to transit on public or commercial buses and trains? If there is an hour delay in transit to the airport, and a person misses their departing flight, does the transit authority/company have any obligation to handle alternate flight arrangements? Once, the 1st local bus of the day did not show. The next bus was scheduled 45 minutes later. I missed my check-in deadline due to the unscheduled cancellation of my bus. Even if I called, I doubt the transit authority would be willing to do anything.

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, Virgin Express would be considered a point-to-point and there would be no checked bags involved so that would save some time. Also, I double checked and there would be just over five hours connecting time, not the 3-4 I previously wrote. The way back would not be a problem because they'd be in Brussels the night before.

I wrote to "Ask the Expert" on onetravel to get his thoughts also.

This is what he responded with:

I've done this quite a bit myself and haven't had a problem, at least not yet, but I'd hate to suggest it to family and friends and have them experience difficulties.

OTOH, if they had to buy a ticket that day it probably would not be more than the savings they initially realized ... so I'm not sure that they have too much to lose. Hmmmm

For what it's worth, I understand Aeroflot is purchasing Virgin Express


TW

Virgin Express is one of the airlines on the Europe By Air Program. I think if you buy the Europe by Air Pass, those tickets/coupons are much more flexible than the regular tickets in terms of making changes. You might want to check it out - http://www.europeflightpass.com

[This message has been edited by JerryFF (edited 03-04-2001).]

I do not think you will have much of a problem. 4-5 hours is plenty of time. I have done this numerous times and only once did I have to run for it to make the connection.

If Virgin has an interline agreement with American, you should be able to check bags all the way through--just show both sets of tickets when you check in with AA.

Most agents will understand if you miss a flight due to problems with a previous flight. You may have to go stand-by and if there is no more room that day, you would need to pay for all of your meals and hotels but other than that go for it.

Aeroflot is expected to be confirmed as the buyer of Sir Richard Branson's low-cost airline, Virgin Express Ireland, early next week.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/bus...00/1196928.stm

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/001864.html

My understanding of the sale to Aeroflot is that it would only be Virgin Express Ireland, which is a subsidiary of Virgin Express that operates the routes between Shannon and Gatwick and Brussels. Virgin Express NV (Brussels) would still be part of Branson's holdings.

[This message has been edited by letiole (edited 03-05-2001).]