FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

gemmacarolyn

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

Hi,
I have been trying to get through to Delta since yesterday and all I get is a recorded message saying that they can't take calls, not even the option of hanging on-I did manage to get through to their domestic flight service but they couldn't help and tried to transfer me where I was on hold for over an hour and gave up. My hotel also charges for 1800 numbers after half an hour!

Do you have an alternative no. for them? The no I have is 1800 241 4141

thanks

I used the number given to me by STA Travel in the end, as the one you posted didn't work for me either! Try: 1-800-325-2000, or 1-800-223-2525 I was on hold for over an hour, but the woman was as helpful as she could be when I got through. She also confirmed they wouldn't pay my hotel costs, should I get stuck en route. Hope you manage to get through! x

vinylmusic

I have been reading through this thread and I thought I understood about where we stood and to be honest I am now more confused.
our circumstances are not so straight forward
I booked our trip as a return from Manchester to LA
The outward bound journey was with KLM flying Manchester to Amsterdam, then Amsterdan to LA.

Now we are in LA waiting to see if we will be able to return on Monday
The return journey is not with KLM but with Air France changing at Paris CDG.

If we are unable to return because of the volcano can we hold Air France responsible for our food and accommodation when they didn't bring us here in the first place?

I understand that KLM and AF are now one and the same but to what degree and then I can't really know if there are any clauses where they may be able to wriggle out of any responsibility towards us

I booked our flights with Barrhead Travel who appear to be a good company and are members of ABTA, IATA and ASTA. Their website states that all their holidays are guaranteed but I booked flight only so I imagine thats not counted as a holiday.

Does all this mean that we are on our own and solely at the mercy if Air France re-scheduling our flights.

This holiday has cost a lot and I hadnt budgeted for any added expenses that we may soon incur.

xellieqx

I want to go home

Sidekick2

socks_uk wrote: »

I noticed quite a few people on here complaining about not getting away on holiday and it ruining their travel plans.

All I can say is that think about it... the airlines won't sent someone off on holiday, away from their own country when there is 100's or possibly 1000's of stranded people at that airport who need your plane seat to get back home.

I am currently stranded on holiday in California, although booked on the next available flight to Heathrow NEXT SATURDAY (if it goes ahead!), but our family are lucky because we have come back to my sister's house in San Diego.

Please think before you complain about not going on holiday... there are many people who only have airport floors as a bed for the unforseeable future.

No. It goes both ways. I have not had a holiday in a while and this is the ONLY time I could have had one before my baby is due (then god knows when I'll get time off). I'm not going to 'think' before I complain about not going on holiday. I worked bloody hard and deserved this holiday and i'm !!!!ed off I won't get to go on it.

nico26

vinylmusic wrote: »

I have been reading through this thread and I thought I understood about where we stood and to be honest I am now more confused.
our circumstances are not so straight forward
I booked our trip as a return from Manchester to LA
The outward bound journey was with KLM flying Manchester to Amsterdam, then Amsterdan to LA.

Now we are in LA waiting to see if we will be able to return on Monday
The return journey is not with KLM but with Air France changing at Paris CDG.

If we are unable to return because of the volcano can we hold Air France responsible for our food and accommodation when they didn't bring us here in the first place?

I understand that KLM and AF are now one and the same but to what degree and then I can't really know if there are any clauses where they may be able to wriggle out of any responsibility towards us

I booked our flights with Barrhead Travel who appear to be a good company and are members of ABTA, IATA and ASTA. Their website states that all their holidays are guaranteed but I booked flight only so I imagine thats not counted as a holiday.

Does all this mean that we are on our own and solely at the mercy if Air France re-scheduling our flights.

This holiday has cost a lot and I hadnt budgeted for any added expenses that we may soon incur.

KLM/AirFrance were pretty good at putting people up in hotels here in Malaysia when the disruption started.They should be doing the same for you.
Hopefully come Monday some flights might get the go ahead.
I'm afraid you will be at their mercy when you get flights back home as the backlog to get people home will be horrendous.

oxters

As usual an excellent helpful thread on MSE

I wonder if anyone can confirm that BA are honouring their obligation to provide accommodation and meals to stranded passengers?

I am booked on a BA flight from Sydney to LHR on Monday (my return leg) which already shows "Cancelled" on BA's website. I will be at SYD airport tonight and will report here what BA are saying.

Can any of the experts on here say if it makes any difference if I am booked through Airmiles? (I have Airmiles own Insurance for my miles - which otherwise are worthless if cancelled) I do of course hold BA e-tickets.
My UK travel Insurance appears only to cover 250 pounds for delayed flights - NOT ongoing accommodation.

Many and sincere thanks for any replies

nico26

socks_uk wrote: »

I noticed quite a few people on here complaining about not getting away on holiday and it ruining their travel plans.

All I can say is that think about it... the airlines won't sent someone off on holiday, away from their own country when there is 100's or possibly 1000's of stranded people at that airport who need your plane seat to get back home.

I am currently stranded on holiday in California, although booked on the next available flight to Heathrow NEXT SATURDAY (if it goes ahead!), but our family are lucky because we have come back to my sister's house in San Diego.

Please think before you complain about not going on holiday... there are many people who only have airport floors as a bed for the unforseeable future.

As far as flights go when the flights restart people who have flights booked to travel on that day will will fly as normal and any remaining seats will be filled with stranded passengers. Its not their fault.Unless airlines can come up with extra planes from somewhere.

ncow168

I am in Sydney and due to fly home tomorrow to UK via singapore.
I have just phoned Singapore airlines for an update and they have told me the following:
I got 2 choices

1. I CAN fly into Singapore if I want to BUT no hotels avail if i do this then
i. I can Sleep on the floor in the airport!
ii. If i have family or friend i can stay with then great


2. Stay in Sydney and wait for the next flight home which could be quite some time!

Here are the 2 interesting facts here.
I was informed by the telephonist that Singapore airlines will pay $150 AUS per night for the first 2 nights accomodation and the situation will be revieved after this.
I got through to them within 2 minutes on the phone

Honestly i am very impressed with what they said and offered when u compare it to some other carrers who really just dont want to know!

It is a bad situation but when you can get some clear guidelines it really helps.

Nikki

loobysue

hope someone can help me.
we booked a package holiday last year to turkey for 5th july and we just made the final payment last week just before the ash problem, did not take out travel insurance at the time as i wanted to look around rather than take travel agents in house insurance. if this volcanic ash problem goes on , which they have indicated is a possibility, would me taking travel insurance out now cover me for anything, and will first choice automatically offer me an alternative holiday to the same standard with free child places ?

scottish_lassy

oxters wrote: »

As usual an excellent helpful thread on MSE

I wonder if anyone can confirm that BA are honouring their obligation to provide accommodation and meals to stranded passengers?

I am booked on a BA flight from Sydney to LHR on Monday (my return leg) which already shows "Cancelled" on BA's website. I will be at SYD airport tonight and will report here what BA are saying.

Can any of the experts on here say if it makes any difference if I am booked through Airmiles? (I have Airmiles own Insurance for my miles - which otherwise are worthless if cancelled) I do of course hold BA e-tickets.
My UK travel Insurance appears only to cover 250 pounds for delayed flights - NOT ongoing accommodation.

Many and sincere thanks for any replies

I was due to travel last Friday with BA from Naples to London - I am still in Naples and BA are doing a great big NOTHING for passengers. There is not even any official BA staff available and all check in will say is that BA is not liable as it is a natural disaster! It is infuriating paying a hotel bill myself whilst surrounded by Easyjet passengers who are being very well catered for in the same hotel!!!! I thought BA stood for customer care - not now. Easyjet all the way