FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

agent_orange_2

had our orlando/ gatwick flight for tomorrow canceled this afternoon. Just managed to get through to virgin on the 1 800 862 8621 (toll free american number. The earliest flight I wasoffered for four seats Orlando/gatwick was for May 14th. I couldn't believe it. My wife had to return early last week because the death of her sister and she is absolutely devestated, and alone. In the end I was offered 4 seats on the may 2nd orlando to Manchester - which I have accepted. I couldn't take the chance that a better date may crop up later. Once rebooked, i wouldn't be able to change booking.

THE LADY INFORMED ME, VIRGIN WOULD COVER ACCOMODATION AND REASONABLE MEAL EXPENDITURE.

So there we are, another two weeks

xellieqx

I feel for you, Agent Orange, it's so frustrating. Good that you managed to get a flight for May 2nd rather than 14th, though.

SnowWhiterThanWhite

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

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.

Flight cancelled, first available flight (Delta) has now been booked for 29th April - now looking at trying to finance 10 more days, on top of the additional 5 days already overdue. Am thinking about getting T-shirts printed 'Stranded Brit, please donate here', alternatively, looking at getting the kids to beg on the street!
Seriously, seriously in big trouble, financially, and also now having to take 2 weeks additional annual leave, which had been earmarked for child-care issues through summer holidays

I just want to be home:(

dunkmat

Me my wife and 2 young daughters are stranded!

We have had our Tampa flight to Manchester with US Airways cancelled today. They have advised us our next available flight home is May 2nd which we have had to book.

Had to rehire car for another week and extend if we can't get better flights. They offered us the chance to cancel and accept a refund of £180 each. To rebook with any other airline next week is $6000!

We have been offered no accomodation/meal costs or anything. We both have jobs that expect us back tomorrow latest! So I suppose unpaid leave to follow also!

gemmacarolyn

For anyone travelling on KLM: I called today & was told all meal costs would be covered, and to keep the reciepts. They should be sent to:
KLM Customer Care

PO BOX 47

Feltham

Middlesex

TW14 9XY

Luckily I don't have to claim for accomidation, but I assume this would be the same address. I hope that helps someone x

luci

FH_Brit wrote: »

Peter no - it is what I have said all along, (for 2 ywear posting and 7 years working) the better policies are covering - the cheaper ones are not - because people sign without reading and buy on price alone.
Pay peanuts = you get monkeys!

It's not only the cheaper policies that are not paying out. Direct Travel are not paying out and they are not cheap.

SydneyScarbrough

Too true luci, I'm with Direct Travel because they offer a better level of cover. I think the way that they have behaved is shameful and I will never use them again.
I note, however, that they website wording has changed over the last couple of days and now states that they *may* make one off ex-gratia payments. Be interested to see how many result.

BettyDebt

we're stuck in the USA. Were supposed to leave Sunday. Were stuck in Vegas and booked on air canada back to uk via vancouver. We werent allowed to fly to vancouver because airport is full! Air canada wouldnt offer any help with hotels or even advice. no representative around to even talk to. We have family outside of LA so said if they can fly us there then we'd at least have a roof over our head. However apparently our ticket is with continental so they wont do that free of charge. They changed our flights to fly our of LA 27 april but wanted to charge us for that change!! argued and got it changed foc. Continental didnt want to even know us and said they couldnt help us at all! Have been trying for 3 days to get hold of expedia to try and get them to clarify and get us on some sort of flight with continental which might fly more regularly than canada. No luck, phone bill run up over 150 pounds! Travel insurance says we're not convered for any kind of delays. When i booked I read only the exclusions assuming travel insurance covers delays too and not just delays due to medical reasons which is apparently all we're covered for. Nope apparently not 'the kind of insurance i have' so no help there.
We're at the end of a 3 week expensive holiday with the bills racking up faster and not getting paid at work.

What are we supposed to do? No one will help. I can only be grateful we have family to stay with and not live in an airport cos we certainly couldnt afford a hotel right now!! the cost of getting from vegas to LA was enough!

I see air canada are flying to paris but is it worth flying there? I looked at eurostar, car hire etc and it costs more than the money we lose in wages!! Dont really know what to do. Like everyone feeling very miserable.

vinylmusic

We're stuck in Los Angeles after a 3 week holiday
We were supposed to fly home today but our flight was cancelled

Without consulting us Air France re-scheduled our flights for 27th April which is 8 days from now.
Impossible to reach them by phone I went to the airport and to the ticket desk
They said that the schedule they gave was the best that they could do
There was no chance of them paying for food or hotels. They told me that they only gave one night hotel accommodation to First class and elite customers.
Obviously not to second class citizens like us.

No chance of being re-routed through Spain or Southern France
Basically we were fobbed off.

The next 8 days are going to cost us at least £500 not to mention a weeks pay lost due to being unable to work.
AF say they have no obligation to help us beyond re-scheduling

I paid for the flights with a credit card and someone suggested I may be able to claim it back through the CC provider.
I'm not sure about our rights either with the airline or with the CC Company and there's so much conflicting information on this forum

Is there anyone with knowledge and experience who can advise?

Alias_Omega

For those who are stranded, you really need to start looking for cheaper accomodation & cutting back on food costs.

When i was stranded overseas, i asked in the local shops if anyone knew of any apartments/rooms for hire. I found one for 20 euro a night which was a double bed. They are out there, you just need to look.

If in the USA, the same would be a Motel. Just remember to wear your shoes at all times.


Alias