FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

JF002

I am reading as much as I can to try and work out what I need to do and who I need to contact re making a claim for compensation but am becoming more dazed by the minute

I would really appreciate it if some very clever person could help me out here.

We (family of 6) flew back from Australia on through tickets with Air France on the 14th of April. The Sydney to Singapore leg was a codeshare Quantas flight (booked through Air france), we then completed the Singapore to Paris leg which was Air France itself. We landed in Paris at 6am on the 15th and our Air France flight to Manchester was cancelled.

Air France advised that all passengers were entitled to 1 nights accommodation and nothing more. We took the one night and were advised on Friday that we would need to pay any further nights ourselves.Despite us stating Eu regs etc they would not budge at all ... no further hotels or food. They also said that their only obligation was to get us home within 7 days.

They also refused a refund on the last leg as they claim they gave us that leg free as part of the booking so the ticket had no value:eek:.

So Friday night we bit the bullet and got a train to Calais, caught the Ferry, booked a B&B in DOVER and hired a People Carrier on Saturday and drove home. We are now £800 out of pocket ( not including food) and I am really hoping I can claim it from somewhere, but would it be Air France, Travel Insurance or AUC?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Jen xx

busiscoming2

Buster1874 wrote: »

Glad they sorted things out for you - did you have to chase them or did they keep in contact with you? So far my daughter has heard nothing.

I suppose because we went to the airport and re booked there they were more helpful. They just sorted it all out and organised taxis!
Perhaps if your daughter was to go to the airport she may have more luck.

silvercar

JF002 wrote: »

I am reading as much as I can to try and work out what I need to do and who I need to contact re making a claim for compensation but am becoming more dazed by the minute

I would really appreciate it if some very clever person could help me out here.

We (family of 6) flew back from Australia on through tickets with Air France on the 14th of April. The Sydney to Singapore leg was a codeshare Quantas flight (booked through Air france), we then completed the Singapore to Paris leg which was Air France itself. We landed in Paris at 6am on the 15th and our Air France flight to Manchester was cancelled.

Air France advised that all passengers were entitled to 1 nights accommodation and nothing more. We took the one night and were advised on Friday that we would need to pay any further nights ourselves.Despite us stating Eu regs etc they would not budge at all ... no further hotels or food. They also said that their only obligation was to get us home within 7 days.

They also refused a refund on the last leg as they claim they gave us that leg free as part of the booking so the ticket had no value:eek:.

So Friday night we bit the bullet and got a train to Calais, caught the Ferry, booked a B&B in DOVER and hired a People Carrier on Saturday and drove home. We are now £800 out of pocket ( not including food) and I am really hoping I can claim it from somewhere, but would it be Air France, Travel Insurance or AUC?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Jen xx

Doesn't seen that you've been treated correctly. They should have given you food and accommodation until they could get you home.

I suppose there comes a point that when they have got you to Paris, if there are no flights for the foreseeable future what are they meant to do? The obvious answer is that there is no point waiting in Paris for ever, given that a train and ferry can get you home.

ukmike

Got back at 3:30 this morning after a 36 hour coach journey from Benidorm to Manchester.All organised & payed for by Monarch who were superb through-out.A big thank you to Tracy in Monarch's Malaga office who acted brilliantly.Will defiantly use Monarch/Cosmos in the future now.

JF002

silvercar wrote: »

Doesn't seen that you've been treated correctly. They should have given you food and accommodation until they could get you home.

I suppose there comes a point that when they have got you to Paris, if there are no flights for the foreseeable future what are they meant to do? The obvious answer is that there is no point waiting in Paris for ever, given that a train and ferry can get you home.

With hindsight we did make the right decision in leaving Paris as we would still be there now ..... but I am not happy that we had to sort it all out ourselves, we were told there was a train strike in Paris and there was no room no room on the ferries so it was a real chance.

I feel I should be able to claim the cost from somewhere, but where?

Many thanks

Jen x

JF002

ukmike wrote: »

Got back at 3:30 this morning after a 36 hour coach journey from Benidorm to Manchester.All organised & payed for by Monarch who were superb through-out.A big thank you to Tracy in Monarch's Malaga office who acted brilliantly.Will defiantly use Monarch/Cosmos in the future now.

Great to hear a positive stoty :T

lemontree

I have received an Email from Ryanair telling me to Rebook my Return flight from Girona by checking in online as my flight tomorrow morning has been reinstated. As my flight to Girona on the 17th was cancelled I did not travel to Spain and on a previous Email from Ryanair I opted for a return cancellation.
What now as it is impossible to get in touch with Ryanair?

shellybelle

jayh144 wrote: »

I am having problems with Holiday Gems-now they dont even answer any of thier phones I just want to get my money back

Were in the same boat, nor ar they replying to emails !! look forward to hearing if you get anywhere with them ... Good Luck!!

One small positive ... the only part of our holiday which was actually non refundable were the prebooked seats and extra luggage allowance. Viking are issuing an automatic refund ... Well done Viking.. its a small amount but after the nightmare of Holiday Gems (if anyone from Holiday Gems should actually read any of this we are not going away !! ) but one that is greatly appreciated. :T

Dealmad

Whats the best travel insurance to get as im due to travel this friday ...just worried incase the second volcano errupts , which insurance company covers this ..because the second one has not errupted yet would i still be able to claim if i take insurance to today and it happens next week say?

xellieqx

I'm just waiting to board my flight in Washington. Doesn't seem manic at all like I expected it.