FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

SnowWhiterThanWhite

gemmacarolyn wrote: »

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

Thanks for that - eventually got through & advised to go to the airport to sort out in person. Went to the airport today to be told that there is nothing the airport staff can do & that I must sort out via the phone!
For any others flying DELTA - I have also been given a new number 1-800-707-5177 which did get me through pretty quick. However, because our flight tomorrow is still showing 'on-time' they cannot look at alternative flights until flight definately cancelled.

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Taken from BBC news:

Ministers met to discuss plans before UK flight restrictions were extended until at least 1900 BST on Monday.
Ideas included flying those outside the no-fly zone to Spain and then using the Royal Navy and requisitioning merchant ships to help return them to the UK.







http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8628605.stm

hillsy

Hello all. First-time post, long-time lurker...

I feel very lucky compared to some of the people overseas. I hope you manage to get your travel sorted out soon

I have a slightly less pressing question. My girlfriend and I were scheduled to fly to Canada on Saturday, from Manchester. We are booked on Thomas Cook, but the booking was made via Canadian Affair. The fare was dirt cheap and non-refundable/changeable.

Thomas Cook have cancelled all their flights for the last few days. But they claim the flights to Canada are only "delayed", obviously at the request of Canadian Affair who say the same thing on their website. So a "delay" of nearly 48hrs now, heh...

My question is: does the fact that the booking T&Cs state the flight is non-refundable, have any impact on passengers' rights under EC regulation 261? Which quite clearly states that if the delay is over 5hrs you have the option of a refund. I think it doesn't have any impact, but I'm maybe biased Does anyone else have thoughts on this?

I'm not looking for compensation. Luckily I'm not out of pocket any accomodation, rentals etc. I'm just trying to work out what my rights to a refund of the flights would be. We might still be able to go, but it's looking less and less likely every day that passes.

I have Flexicover travel insurance too. I've not pursued that option yet, as it doesn't look promising from what I've read online so far.

Any thoughts?

thanks

Pelican_eats_pigeon

hillsy wrote: »

My question is: does the fact that the booking T&Cs state the flight is non-refundable, have any impact on passengers' rights under EC regulation 261?

No, it has no impact at all. Airlines cannot use T&Cs to negotiate out of Regulation 261/2004.

vinylmusic

First I get an email and a text telling me that our flight is canceled
Nothing more
Then I tried calling their reservations number to get the message that they close at 6 today. Well I was calling before 5pm
I cant get through to anyone and not even a recorded message to give possibilities etc.

I feel we've been totally left in the lurch and Air France don't care

Were on our own in LA and its not their problem

monkeynuts77

Hi all,
first time post from the other side of the globe. My girlfriend and I are currently stuck in Brisbane. we were due to fly back to the UK with Royal Brunei Airlines on Saturday 17th, but obviously they kept us here to stop even more crowding in South East Asian airports for European bound passengers. They have started to rebook passengers that have had their flights cancelled, but the earliest they are scheduling anyone in for is the 5th May as all their other flights are booked up, and I am assuming that they are not booking for this week as they need open airspace!!

If I cancel the rescheduled flights am I entitled to a refund? I may need the cash towards a flight to somewhere in open airspace in Southern Europe, as our jobs (and getting paid) will definitely require us to be back before another 2 1/2 weeks go by.

I have travel insurance with Aviva (who will not pay out/accept any claims if an airline has cancelled the flight as they assume the airline will take care of you) and also with my lloyds gold current account, who say that they are not accepting any claims for delayed/cancelled flights due to the closed airspace. I have asked them their reasoning and where this is covered in the policy as I can't see it.
We could find ourselves either very poor or jobless, so any advice would be very gratefully recieved!

Thanks!

andrewmp

princesswoo wrote: »

Reading other threads - you have to ring them and you should be able to change the retun date as well.

Thanks, I've tried calling them, it just cuts you off after you say you need to speak to someone. Surely they should just fix their online system :mad:

valiant23

Taken from the NATS website;

http://www.nats.co.uk/

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Monday April 19, 0830

Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the current restrictions across UK controlled airspace due to the volcanic ash cloud will remain in place until at least 0100 (local) on Tuesday 20th April.
Anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.
Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic. NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK's safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace. We are currently awaiting CAA guidance.
We are working closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.
The next update will be issued at approximately 1500 (local) today.

Risinfromthegutter

Hi

I'm booked with Sun4U direct I cannot get in touch with them, is there any way they may change my accomodation or give me a refund, im thinking not?

shellybelle

princessleah_ wrote: »

We only paid one amount to 2bookaholiday but when they sent us the information the flights were Thomas cook, hotel was laterooms and transfers were hotels4u which is why I was confused.

Obviously Im still hoping we can go but I feel slightly more reassured now after seeing those T&Cs. Thanks!!

Hi There we ae in the same situation with holiday gems , as yet unresolved. Dont let them fob you off, ill update if we get any where, good luck.