FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

Hobsons_Choice

I've got two friends with sons waiting to get back from fighting in Afghanistan. I probably won't be going to Krakow on Wednesday but my thoughts are with them and the thousands of people (especially ones with small children) stranded outside the UK and trying desperately to get home.

tiff

Stranded wrote: »

Hi All,

4 Adults and 3 under 5's stuck in Barcelona. Were due to fly Easyjet to Luton at 1400 today, but obviously not going to happen.

The Question I have is that Easyjet have offered us to Refund or Rebook. If I choose to rebook, and then make alternative arrangements (train/car/boat), then am I right in thinking that that is my tough luck unless my rebooked flight is also cancelled?

I strongly suspect that if I choose to take Easyjets next flight (which is next Friday) then I have to stick to my choice and just sit it out.

We have not even bothered going to the Airport as per Easyjet.com and will submit a claim later.

Also - is anybody anxious about their Employers reaction?? A few of us are worried we might be in deep water when we return, espcially if this drags on more than a few more days.

Thanks in advance...

I cant answer your question but is there any availability on ferries from Santander or Bilbao? Maybe you could hire a car one way and get that ferry well before Friday?

retrocircles

My Mum is stranded in Gran Canaria. She was supposed to be coming home after today after 2 weeks there. The next available flight is next Sunday to a different return airport. It would have been a week Wednesday to come back to the departure airport.

My Mum is a teacher, she called her Headteacher who was quite annoyed to hear she won't be in school tomorrow & even suggested her travel insurance to pay for the supply teacher who will have to cover her class! My Mum is now quite stressed about that as the insurance state they won't cover anything, as it's an 'act of God'.

j8ulia

anyone trying to get through to ebookers can use this freephone number 0800 9703115 instead of paying 10p per min on the 0870 number.

lilac_glitter

I finally got through to them after 40 minutes... Turns out they have no team to give advice til tomorrow. But there are 140 people stuck in bangkok being forced to pay for the hotel and now being told they will have to rebook their own flights. So I spoke to the travel agent who is deeply unhappy and said princess should be oaying the hotel bill and rebooking their flights or offering them alternative routes home.

Has any one else go this situation with princess? as it seems so unprofessional. As 140 people stuck and being told basically get on with it and princess have washed their hands of them. They never even told them to register with the FRO which is recommended by the government. They dropped them there and didnt tell them about the civil unrest etc..

At the moment I wouldnt use princess as if it goes wrong you are on your own and will get no advice or help!

peterbaker

Cityboy you deserve a very special MSE medal, perhaps with sparks and lava flows - your unstinting help generally and individually to so many people is crystal clear and on the button, Sir :money:

Stranded

tiff wrote: »

I cant answer your question but is there any availability on ferries from Santander or Bilbao? Maybe you could hire a car one way and get that ferry well before Friday?

Hi Tiff,

We had the same thought and are trying to arrange something but it is all very Chicken and Egg.

If we get a crossing, we might not get a car/train. and Vice Versa.

I guess that is my concern really. If we can find a better (quicker) alternative, then we would like to take it, but will relinquish our airfare in the process.

We are trying to keep smiling!

Pmc23

I am currently in Barcelona with mum and girlfriend, my mum was due to fly back to Glasgow prestwick today with Ryanair and myself and girlfriend are due to fly out on wednesday from girona.

We have been told to rebook but there is absolutely nothing availble now. Anyone have any idea as to what will
happen once flights start again, ie will they put on more planes? (daft question I know!) As I understand it they have a duty to put me up and provide alternative travel arrangements when it's possible.

Seems like ryanair are trying to avoid this by saying that it is up to people if they want to rebook, surely it for them to organise travel on other flights if your own has been cancelled?

Thanks again for all the help!

Sidekick2

I booked a hotel/flight package deal with expedia...we are supposed to leave at 6am tomorrow - clearly not going to happen. Who do I talk to about a refund? Expedia or the Airline??

silvercar

We have been told to rebook but there is absolutely nothing availble now. Anyone have any idea as to what will
happen once flights start again, ie will they put on more planes? (daft question I know!)

The answer is who nows. I heard on the news that the MoD (ministry of Defence) are involved in planning how it will all be sorted.

My personal opinion is that airlines will put on extra flights where they have the resources (planes + crew) to do so. Remember though that the whole of Europe is effected not just UK routes. I would expect that the flights that will be laid on will be where there is demand both ways.

As far as priority goes, existing ticket holders for the first flights back will have absolute right to those seats. The budget airlines sell all their seats and no more so you either have a seat or you don't and the airline expects to be full. The major national airlines, particularly those part of the major three alliances have membership tiers and I expect they will look after their top tier customers. This has probably already happened, with top tier holders having seats reserved on more than one flight with a couple of carriers. This does mean that last minute seats may be available with all airlines, the budget ones because people won't check in for flights where they have been unable to cancel and haven't checked in and the major airlines operating their wait lists. If you want to try your luck as a single passenger with no check in luggage, you could turn up and keep your fingers crossed for a no-show when you are standing there waiting and ready to go.

I expect the advice will be not to turn up at airports with no tickets, because that would be a major security risk.

Remember that, as soon as the flights start going that eases up spaces on ferrys and eurostar. National Rail will also have spaces on trains and are running extra; so thinking laterally may help.