Facebook, the popular social networking site is proving to be more than just a site to meet and strike up friendships. Delayed passengers have used their common ground and unity of purpose via social media to claim the all too elusive compensation from airlines.
In July for instance, a Facebook group VS01 27/10/12 of 101 passengers received a £47000 payout from virgin airways for their flight from Florida, delayed for 26 hours. More Facebook groups such as this one are approaching litigation firms to help them make compensation claims as a group. Bott&coa law firm is also following compensation for another group Thomas cook TCX325 which had followed a flight delay to Manchester from Cancun.
Passengers have formed Facebook groups as they await their delayed flights in the lobby. Airline regulations EU261 assures passengers of a € 600 per person compensation for delays that are over 3 hours or a flight cancellation. They are entitled to this amount, provided the delays are not caused by extra ordinary circumstances.
There are huge benefits of forming groups, sharing of information and resources which are invaluable if there are disputes with the respective airlines on how the events unfolded. A large group enables a law firm to push through your case as a fast track of multi-track case. This kind of case puts the consumers in a stronger position to negotiate fees with the firms soliciting for them.
Forming Facebook groups to claim compensation is a new way of getting airlines to own up to delays and is growing fast according to solicitors Bott&co. Passengers are more open to the theory of the group, they share a common denominator, disgusting delays in their daily schedules and a disappointing flying experience.