FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

CR-Purpleholidays.com

Hi everyone,

I have been reading some of your posts and I just wanted to clarify the situation with cancellations and responsibility for payments.

There are two types of holidays. A "package" holiday is one where all the elements (ie. flight, hotels, transfers, etc) are booked through a single tour operator. In this case, you would be completely covered for your holiday being delayed or cancelled. (This is most likely the case for the Maldives holiday)

The other type of holiday is the "dynamic package". This is a package holiday where all the elements are booked through separate tour operators and agents. In this case, there is simply no one who can take the responsibility. Your agent has paid for all the travel arrangement on your behalf to all the different suppliers. Because the hotel booking is separate from the flight booking, the hotel would not be covered if something were to happen to your flights. The flights are being resceduled or refunded (as they had not provided you a service), where the rest of the elements are treated as a "no show" because the two are not connected through the same company. (This is most likely the case for the holiday booked with Ryanair flights)

If you are stuck in resort, however, the flight company has a responsibility to provide you with accommodation if they reschedule the flights.

It is certainly an unfortunate situation. I hope this information was helpful. For more information please visit our blog purpleholidays.blogspot.com

Incapuppy

CR-Purpleholidays.com wrote: »

If you are stuck in resort, however, the flight company has a responsibility to provide you with accommodation if they reschedule the flights.

Not if you are stranded outside the EU with a non-EU airline!!

silvercar

CR-Purpleholidays.com wrote: »

If you are stuck in resort, however, the flight company has a responsibility to provide you with accommodation if they reschedule the flights.

Only under EU law, which would apply to an EU airline or a departure from an EU destination.

So all those stuck in America flying with american or canadian airlines are not by law entitled to accommodation or food help.

silvercar

For those stranded in the US that want help from the british consulate:

http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=22084495

is their current page on the flight problems.

helpline:

If you are in the USA or Canada, you can call our free-phone number for the latest information and for advice and assistance from our consular teams.
Call 1-888-UK-HELP-4ME or 1-888-854-3574 (this is a toll-free/free-phone number. Some hotels may charge you for accessing this number from your room. Most public telephones will allow you to make the call free of charge).
Be sure to also register with LOCATE, our service that allows us to contact you in case of an emergency to offer advice and assistance.

kilty_3

The return leg of my flybe flight from Glasgow to Cardiff was cancelled because of volcanic ash. It cost me £120 to obtain a one way train ticket home. I had no insurance, are the airline legally responsible to refund my alternate method of getting home? or should I just accept the partial refund they are offering?

Debras_Angel

Hi guys,

Is there anyone in Barbados stranded who can confirm how they are being looked after if they are with Virgin Holidays?

I'm rescheduled from Sunday 18th and due out next Wednesday, but if we get away and the ash kicks off, who knows what the next stage may be.

My thoughts go out to all the people stranded over the world and hope you all get back soon.

Debs

steffiemom

kilty wrote: »

The return leg of my flybe flight from Glasgow to Cardiff was cancelled because of volcanic ash. It cost me £120 to obtain a one way train ticket home. I had no insurance, are the airline legally responsible to refund my alternate method of getting home? or should I just accept the partial refund they are offering?

If I was you, I would take the refund and forget about the whole thing! In the scheme of things, you got off lightly, don't you think? Risking a full price ticjet at £120 was what you did when you decided to book a flight without travel insurance rather than buying a full price train ticket in the first place. We can't bag bargains all the time....

If they offer you a partial refund, and there is an easy way to get hold of it, go for it and spare yourself all the arguments which will only cause you stress - Not worth it, right? - and will probably be in vain (as someone said earlier, budget airlines don't have to pay compensation, even though accommodation costs if they get you stranded.) So you did a sensible thing in finding your own way home rather than banking on getting costs for a prolonged stay reimbursed and waiting around for the air carrier to get you home on one of their planes. Congrats on getting home... you've been lucky!

joaniemerc

Debras_Angel wrote: »

Hi guys,

Is there anyone in Barbados stranded who can confirm how they are being looked after if they are with Virgin Holidays?

I'm rescheduled from Sunday 18th and due out next Wednesday, but if we get away and the ash kicks off, who knows what the next stage may be.

My thoughts go out to all the people stranded over the world and hope you all get back soon.

Debs

We're not in Barbados but Kenya with Virgin Atlantic. We booked a package holiday to Mombasa (connecting in Nairobi). Should've come home on Saturday. Virgin asked us to take our domestic flight from Mombasa to Nairobi on Saturday as normal and are keeping us in Nairobi until flights start. Not a brilliant place to be stuck but Virgin is paying for accommodation and breakfast. Other expenses are down to us but we have a Virgin letter in Reception saying to keep all receipts and send them off to a Virgin address. The letter doesn't actually state that we'll be refunded our expenses but does say it will not cover alcohol purchases or unnecessary or exhorbitant purchases. We were all inclusive in resort and full board on safari, but to be honest after reading some experiences on here we're being well looked after.

What are they doing for you in Barbados?

jamesn_2

SydneyScarbrough wrote: »

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.

I paid extra for a higher level of cover with my insurer (Europ Assistance) and they have refused cover. I am now complaining to the financil ombudsman and I think everyone else affected should do the same. See my new thread with details here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2416293

vikingaero

I don't see a problem here:

NATS say no.
Govt and CAA say no.
Some airlines say yes.
Some pilots say yes.
Some passengers want to fly.

So let those airlines, pilots and passengers who want to fly in and around ash, sign a disclaimer and fly. Simples.