FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

ed89

vikingaero wrote: »

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.

What about the people who live in the cities or towns where the plane could potentially crash into?

Debras_Angel

Hi Joaniemerc,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Sorry I was taling about going out from the UK on Sunday 18th April.

I just wanted to see what kind of help they would be if we get stuck, if we do get to fly to Barbados on the 28th April.

Sounds like they are looking after you OK.

As you say there are some horror stories with some of the airlines. Fingers crossed you get back soon.

Cheers

Debs

Debras_Angel

vikingaero wrote: »

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.

Don't think you thought that one through before posting!!!!!

Risinfromthegutter

Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.


Don't think you thought that one through before posting!!!!!

I'm with vikingaero on this, let people make their own mind up, freedom of movement, stop the powers that be nannying us!;)

Hugh_Jass

Justin1986 wrote: »

I'm totally fed up with Expedia.

I'd like to know, if/when my flight gets cancelled on Wednesday, and hopefully I'll be due a FULL refund from Expedia, how do I claim it?

I have tried phoning but like others, I was sitting on hold for 40+ minutes and gave up. Can I claim online? I'm not wanting to sit on a phone for 2 hours to cancel my holiday....

Don't give up. I was on hold to Expedia yesterday for an hour and got through and was offered a full refund straight away. Packaged deals - parts will be refunded straight away but the flight cost will take between 2 to 12 weeks though - depending upon the airline in question. Good luck.

kilty_3

steffiemom wrote: »

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!

Yes of course you are right. This query was really based on future same day/short weekends 'there and back' flights which I take regularly. In hindsight I was lucky as my original plan was to stick it out as problems i.e. terrorists crashing into Glasgow airport seem to get sorted out within 24hours. It was the internet and a local newspaper stating 'it could go on for long enough' that prompted a rapid exit south thanks

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi, I'm hoping someone can advice me. I was booked to fly Dalaman to Manchester on Sunday 18th April with Thomas Cook Airlines. I spoke to customer service who told me not to go to the airport, and that I would receive an e-mail telling me when I would be flying.

Today I have received an e-mail informing me that Thomas Cook have cancelled my flight and that I would receive a full refund to my credit card within seven days. It also says that if I wish to book a new flight I should visit their website. Of course, no surprises, since yesterday all their prices have gone up and it is going to cost me a lot more to book a flight home.

Also, I am presuming that by cancelling the flight and refunding my money, their argument will be that they are no longer responsible for my accommodation/food costs.

So I am stranded in Turkey, with no-one to contact or help me (as I am no longer a Thomas Cook passenger).

Okay, so I am staying with friends (fortunately for me - goodness knows what I would do if I had the extra expenses of a hotel), so my additional costs are small.

But how do I know when to re-book, since I have no idea when they will start flying (flights are available for tomorrow on their website, but that's just a joke!).

Can they really just cancel the contract and make a profit from the situation by selling me a more expensive alternative flight on a later date?

And what about people in the same situation as me, who are staying in hotels - can Thomas Cook really avoid their duty to care for their passengers by simply cancelling the flight and issuing a refund?

Thanks for any input

Daisy

Hugh_Jass

mikey72 wrote: »

Are you saying this is unclear.
Or do you believe expedia are not being truthful, and keeping the money?

Expedia confirmed my refund (for Air France) will take between 2 to 12 weeks - this is the standard norm. I would like it they paid me back in 7 days!

jammin_2

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I spoke to customer service who told me not to go to the airport

You should have gone to the airport. By not going, you made yourself not entitled to "care".

steffiemom

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Today I have received an e-mail informing me that Thomas Cook have cancelled my flight and that I would receive a full refund to my credit card within seven days. It also says that if I wish to book a new flight I should visit their website. Of course, no surprises, since yesterday all their prices have gone up and it is going to cost me a lot more to book a flight home.


Daisy

Daisy,

not entirely sure about this, but it sounds like you need to try and find the small print of that email - I am sure you can refuse their offer for a refund and I think you should!!! Because once you have accepted it, they are off the hook indeed, but they can't force it onto you. This refund thing works well for people flying out, but what about people who want to get back home. So you are stuck once taking the refund, if you can't make alternative arrangements like taking the train at your own expense. If your priority is getting home asap, and you don't mind making your own way, take the refund though. Otherwise you are at their mercy as and when to fly home. As the poster above said, you might well have to show up at the airport in person though. Again, check the smallprint of the original T's and C's.

Good luck and try and enjoy your time wit friends at least... (easier said than done, I know, but hey....)