Stranded in the US - should we fly to Spain?

spiro

silvercar wrote: »

From Spain its either a long way overland through France or a ferry from Satander - 17 hours. That would put me off. Though the government are talking of using the navy to ferry people across the channel.

The problem as stated in the press is that the navy ships can only carry a few hundred people on each and with thousands traps who goes and who stays?

gvlewis

The Met Office is forecasting a shift in the wind direction on the weekend. The northerly winds currently carrying all the ash over the U.K. will gradually be replaced by south westerlies pushing the problem away from the U.K and up over northern europe. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/about/newsid_8632000/8632251.stm

fifeken

Spain has now been set up as a "hub" for European bound flights and onward trains/buses etc are being put in place. Cross channel ferries are running extended services and "guarantee" to get everyone back.

That's the official word but will it really work in practice.

charlea

if you can fly to ireland ( there were some flight coming in from the usa) then there are some ferry to the uk the cork swansea one is not as packed up as the rest of the dublin one and a 4 berth cabin as a foot pasenger is 150 pounds for all of you its an overnight ferry 9pm arriving in swansea at 7am so you can sleep ect then the train to swansea to cardiff and then from there to wherever you have to get to

http://book.fastnetline.com

posh*spice

gvlewis wrote: »

The Met Office is forecasting a shift in the wind direction on the weekend. The northerly winds currently carrying all the ash over the U.K. will gradually be replaced by south westerlies pushing the problem away from the U.K and up over northern europe. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/about/newsid_8632000/8632251.stm

They are suggesting that the ash may be blown over the North Artlantic which MIGHT stop flights from US to Europe? Surely the op would be better getting to Europe where he/she can at least get home however difficult than getting stranded in the US?

Just a thought.

gvlewis

posh*spice wrote: »

They are suggesting that the ash may be blown over the North Artlantic which MIGHT stop flights from US to Europe? Surely the op would be better getting to Europe where he/she can at least get home however difficult than getting stranded in the US?

Just a thought.

No, as Jay Wynne says, the ash would be blown up to the far north of Europe. The skies over the Atlantic to the U.K. would be clear for transatlantic flights.

Looking at the period from 26 April to 2 May, the Met Office forecast that for much of this period winds should be between South and West. This plus unsettled weather should mean that the air over the North Atlantic and the U.K. should stay clear of volcanic ash and flights between the U.K. and North America returning to normal.

If you are planning a flight to Russia or any points North and East of Iceland, you may have problems if eruptions continue at their present level. However, I heard earlier today that, as much of the ice cap around the volcano had melted. This has reduced the explosive nature of the eruptions and the amount of ash being forced into the atmosphere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/10209

FH_Brit

INSURANCE AND AIRLINE - If you were to arrange alternative route home (as OP suggests via Spain/Portugal) no insurance company or airline would even look at any claim - if unauthorized by them (and I suggest in writing) you are doing this completely off you own back.

Ponkle22

Sky news reported tonight that the delayed numerous coaches from the UK to Spain to take people stranded in Madrid (or was it Santander, or both?) will only leave Dover tomorrow morning, then have to drive to and through Spain. How long will that take? The plan is to then drive everyone to ports in France.

Sorry I cannot remember whether it was Madrid and/or Santander - maybe they will go to both destinations?

itsakidsworld

If you can afford to it may be a good idea to stay put where you are until an airline has an answer for you. It is difficult times for everyone and the information and help is being re-written almost hour by hour as airlines try to cope and look for the best solutions.

What some are offering is a route to mainland Spain and then you make your own way home at your own expense. I have no problem with this as this is nobodies fault and you have to give the airlines some slack in this unfortunate situation they are faced with. However I hope that by staying put the airlines are still looking after you and so you get home eventually with their help to your final destination and not stuck miles from home.

Trying to get to Spain at the moment is crazy in my opinion because there are thousands here from all countries looking to get home by land and the "wide boys" are coming out from all over the place offering transport at crazy prices!!

I understand everyone’s situation is different and if you have to be back in the UK ASAP then you do what you have to do. However if you are able to see this through from where you are my advice would be to stay calm, think level headed and enjoy your new temporary home.

I would not think twice in not finding some locals who could offer help and you will be amazed at how kind and helpful total strangers will be to you.

JennyB

Thanks - really helpful replies. I think we're going to do as many have advised and stay put here and try to enjoy it. I think I'll be looking into that trip to LA :-)