Travel Chaos/Airports closed, Flying Sunday!

ncmc

First of all, I feel really badly for all the people who had their flights cancelled today (and maybe 2mor and beyond) I heard a woman on the radio this morning who was trying to get to her brothers wedding tomorrow. I felt so bad for her. It's a total nightmare, I am due to fly to Barcelona from Belfast International on Sunday lunchtime. I would say it's quite likely that the ash cloud won't be clear by then. It's very hard to know what to do, if you wait until the last minute, you have no real chance to make alternatives like taking the ferry somewhere. I know I could stay in Ireland, but I don't really fancy it. I'm very short on annual leave, so don't particularly want to take a week off to stay at home. Aaargh! Don't know what to do!

Sorry, I know there's nothing anyone here can do, but felt like I needed a vent! :mad:

tommy21

That sucks, seems an incredible event to happen to cause such a widespread grounding. Spare a thought for my gf's parents, due to fly out for a two week break at 6am tomorrow! 90% chance it won't happen I'd say.

I'm suprised nobody has jumped on the obvious yet - no refunds for anything as its an act of god!

undo

tommy21 wrote: »

no refunds for anything as its an act of god!

Well, there was that film "the man who sued god"... maybe it's worth trying? Maybe he will pay up?

ann_likes_cake

tommy21 wrote: »

That sucks, seems an incredible event to happen to cause such a widespread grounding. Spare a thought for my gf's parents, due to fly out for a two week break at 6am tomorrow! 90% chance it won't happen I'd say.

I'm suprised nobody has jumped on the obvious yet - no refunds for anything as its an act of god!

Most airlines are actually offering refunds if flights are cancelled, including Ryanair. Which is a surprise.

metrovelvet

Does anyone have a clue how long this will take to clear up? Am flying out on Monday.

tommy21

ann_likes_cake wrote: »

Most airlines are actually offering refunds if flights are cancelled, including Ryanair. Which is a surprise.

True, I stand corrected. I wonder will hotels, resorts etc. be so forgiving though?

tommy21

Hurray, they managed to change their flight to Sunday. Hope it clears by then!

Lifelike

Problem here is Belfast is within UK airspace so it's more likely to be shut than Dublin or Cork as Britain is the worst affected area from this ash cloud.

If your flight is cancelled you'll be entitled to a refund which you could possibly use to buy a last-minute flight from Dublin or Cork (if they're open). May cost more but is certainly better than spending your well-earned break doing nothing at all

Ponster

metrovelvet wrote: »

Does anyone have a clue how long this will take to clear up? Am flying out on Monday.

Depends on where you're flying from and to. Cork is planned to open today for some flight though this could change again based on weather patterns.

dodzy

Up to date flight arrival / departures info for dublin here.

On a side note, Aer Lingus have really stooped to a new low here. Flight scheduled out of Prague to Dub last night ETA 12.00 midnight canceled of course. Todays depart from Prague at 2.45 - gone also. OK fine; inconvenient but understandable.
Sunday flight out of Prague at approx 2.45pm - 300€ fecking Euro. Absolutely disgraceful considering it was less than half that price 2 days ago. Monopolizing B'stards.

ncmc

Doesn't look like any of us will be flying anywhere soon, UK airspace is closed until 1am tomorrow morning. I would imagine that will ground a lot of Irish flights, even if Irish airspace opens today. At least the trans-atlantic flights seem to be flying today (with delays).

I can't decide whether to wait and chance getting a ferry and spending the week travelling round the UK, or postpone my hols for a week and go to Barca as planned. It's the not knowing that kills me, I'm a bit of a psycho planner when it comes to holidays and am not good with last minute decisions!

P. Breathnach

dodzy wrote: »

Up to date flight arrival / departures info for dublin here.

On a side note, Aer Lingus have really stooped to a new low here. Flight scheduled out of Prague to Dub last night ETA 12.00 midnight canceled of course. Todays depart from Prague at 2.45 - gone also. OK fine; inconvenient but understandable.
Sunday flight out of Prague at approx 2.45pm - 300€ fecking Euro. Absolutely disgraceful considering it was less than half that price 2 days ago. Monopolizing B'stards.

My understanding of what they say on their website is that if you were booked on a flight that was cancelled they would transfer your booking to the first available flight at no additional cost to you.

watna

I'm due to fly back to NZ through Heathrow tomorrow evening with Emirates. The flight that goes out to tonight, that I'm meant to be on tomorrow has already been cancelled so it's not looking good. I'm trying to ring emirates to change my flight but obviously so is everyone else because I can't get through.

Getting quite stressed out. God knows when emirates will be able to fit me on a flight. I'm not a good flier so I'd rather be safe on the ground and late then in the air and in trouble but still - what a total pain in the whole.

At least I'm only home in my parents house and I've let work know I'm going to be late back to NZ. I'm hoping they allow me to use sick leave because I sure don't have any annual leave left. I feel really sorry for people heading out for weddings and things.

ncmc

P. Breathnach wrote: »

My understanding of what they say on their website is that if you were booked on a flight that was cancelled they would transfer your booking to the first available flight at no additional cost to you.

The way I picked that up is they wouldn't penalise you for changing your flight, but that you would pay whatever price the flights were that day. So for those of us who booked months ago, rescheduling will leave us out of pocket. Can anyone clarify which is the case here?

watna

ncmc wrote: »

The way I picked that up is they wouldn't penalise you for changing your flight, but that you would pay whatever price the flights were that day. So for those of us who booked months ago, rescheduling will leave us out of pocket. Can anyone clarify which is the case here?

I would have thought that the flights would cost more on the day then a few months ago so you'd get more money, no?

P. Breathnach

ncmc wrote: »

The way I picked that up is they wouldn't penalise you for changing your flight, but that you would pay whatever price the flights were that day. So for those of us who booked months ago, rescheduling will leave us out of pocket. Can anyone clarify which is the case here?

From the Aer Lingus website:

1. Change your booking online (no change fee)

If your booking was made on aerlingus.com, and your flights are affected by the disruption, you can now change the dates of travel or change your destination on-line, free of charge.

The change booking fee and any fare difference will be waived (where appropriate) from the 'Price' page of the 'Change Booking' process.

Seems clear enough to me.

ncmc

Thanks for that, we're flying Easyjet though so not sure what they're policy is. On their website they're just saying that you can transfer free of charge, but they don't specify if you'd be liable for the higher fare.

dodzy

edit:

ncmc

ncmc wrote: »

The way I picked that up is they wouldn't penalise you for changing your flight, but that you would pay whatever price the flights were that day. So for those of us who booked months ago, rescheduling will leave us out of pocket. Can anyone clarify which is the case here?

I rebooked a flight with Aer Lingus and was charged nothing at all. I had to wait for them to cancel the flight though, I couldn't just decide it probably wasn't going to go. I'm in the position now where my new flight will probably also be cancelled, so I presume I'll have to do the same again, wait for them to cancel it and then rebook. I don't know if you can cancel it yourself and get a refund/date change. Really frustrating not knowing what's going on. I will be far more out of pocket if I make alternative arrangements, in fact, I can't afford to do that (get the ferry), so if it's cancelled again, I'm going nowhere. So, so disappointing as I won't get home again until about September.

dodzy

[quote=[Deleted User];65434412] So, so disappointing as I won't get home again until about September.[/QUOTE]

That totally depends on where home is and where you are actually stranded

I'd give a non vital organ to be basting in sun, sand & sea until this crisis is over !

dodzy

dodzy wrote: »

That totally depends on where home is and where you are actually stranded

I'd give a non vital organ to be basting in sun, sand & sea until this crisis is over !

I'm in London and home is the Donegal/Tyrone border so not much sun, sand or sea for me.

Ponster

Just announced : All Ryanair flights out of Ireland and UK cancelled until at least 1pm Monday.

watna

Ponster wrote: »

Just announced : All Ryanair flights out of Ireland and UK cancelled until at least 1pm Monday.

Oh dear. I'm presuming Aer Lingus is going the same way then.

Looks like I may be a week late getting back to NZ

vibrant

OMG. Wonder if they'll be back to normal by the end of next week.

Our man in Havana

They reckon this cloud could hang around for 3 weeks.

Our man in Havana

Latest ash report is bad.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/data/VAG_1271463398.png

Kenny_D

All transatlantic flights cancelled today with aer lingus. 3 hours before my check in

crackola

same boat with the transatlantic flights (aer lingus) but i get an error:

"It is not possible to change this booking. Please contact our helpdesk"

when i try change them, their help desk is closed, any ideas?!!

crackola

anyone?

Kenny_D

Nah been trying the helpdesk since 7am this morning. Havent got through yet. Cant change the flight online either. Wondering if they'll be able to start flying out at 6pm. There should be a new update from the IAA at 12.30 when the met map gets updated at 12

crackola

i dont think the help desk will open today though, i am hoping they are not letting you change because they will be putting on additional flights, next flight you can book to america through the normal system is on tuesday

ncmc

God, sorry for all those who have had Trans-atlantic flights cancelled. It's such a bummer when you know that once you clear Irish airspace you'd be grand. I'd say there's zero chance of me getting to Barcelona tomorrow, so disappointed . I've actually booked the ferry to England on Monday, we'll drive round Northern England for a few days. It's not Barcelona, but it's just nice to get away. I booked before my flight is cancelled cos I was worried the ferries would be booked up and also the price seems to be going up by the hour.

CrazySka

Wierd situation, In germany now and all the airports are chaos.
Looking at the metoffice stuff doesnt look like I'll be getting out by air anytime soon....

Kenny_D

Latest satellite image doesn't look good. Expect we'll be canceling our trip now. IAA to post an update around 4pm

Cosmo Kramer

I had been looking at this story feeling sorry for everyone affected and being thankful that my trip is next weekend and not this one.

But this just seems to be getting worse, I'm getting worried now!

Cherrycoke

Flying to Turkey on Thurssay.. hope it will go ahead

Our man in Havana

Not looking good.

dudara

I work in Amsterdam and fly home to Dublin most weekends. I stayed here last weekend, so this disruption means that I'm facing into my third continuous week in Amsterdam.

I'm scheduled to fly home on Wednesday night - fingers crossed for some improvement by then.

metrovelvet

I think at this point the navy and army should start helping getting citizems home. Imagine families with small kids stranded all over the world.

metrovelvet

metrovelvet wrote: »

I think at this point the navy and army should start helping getting citizems home. Imagine families with small kids stranded all over the world.

lol
They can't fly them home.
Imagine how long it would take an irish vessel first to get to America or Australia and then back.
Plus theres only about 2 of them..

@ gstormcrow Thats not a satelite image..
Thats a forecast as to where the ash will go..

Our man in Havana

This is not going to end within the next 7 days at the earliest.

Thoie

metrovelvet wrote: »

I think at this point the navy and army should start helping getting citizems home. Imagine families with small kids stranded all over the world.

How? Navy vessels aren't designed for passengers (they're barely designed for the crew). In an "end of the world" scenario, sure, you could push a few hundred people on deck and hope for the best, but they don't have the safety equipment (life jackets/life boats) for carrying any meaningful number of passengers anywhere. The air corps doesn't have special anti-ash planes, and the army doesn't own special trains that they can get to europe. Most defence forces would be (unavoidable pun) in the same boat. Existing land and sea based commercial services are in the best position to help, and people are already turning to those.

The most useful thing the army/navy could do would be provide camp beds for people who are stranded, and personally I'd prefer to try get into a hotel.

Lex_Diamonds

The continued activity at the volcano site is a cause for concern, this could potentially drag on for months...

crackola

still not able to alter the flights on the aer lingus website, this is a return flight so no option to simply cancel!!!

On hold to their office in the US at the moment!!! for some reason that is the only helpdesk i could find, you think they might try a little harder with the customer service in times like these

Desert Rose

Someone mentioned Germany's airport is chaotic. I really hope things get better since I am flying with Lufthansa to Athens through Frankfurt. I read that the Irish airspace will be closed till 13:00 tomorrow but I guess that doesn't mean that flights will be operating as usual after that time... Things don't look promising at all even though my flight is on Tuesday.

I am just wondering if my flight is cancelled on Tuesday how many days will it take them to get me another flight. I picked that flight cause it departs and arrives at a suitable time for me. You pay extra to get the flight you want and then you end up with something you don't want. Besides losing days of holidays from work by staying at home until you get a flight, if you do!

I find it really annoying but you can't blame anyone for natural disasters.

crackola

if anyone has re-booked a flight through aer lingus' website please tell me how you did it, it wont let me manage my booking but will allow me book another flight through the normal process, it would kill me if people booked all these seats and i couldnt book until monday because of this problem with their website!!!!!!!!!

watna

crackola wrote: »

if anyone has re-booked a flight through aer lingus' website please tell me how you did it, it wont let me manage my booking but will allow me book another flight through the normal process, it would kill me if people booked all these seats and i couldnt book until monday because of this problem with their website!!!!!!!!!

I've re-booked and it was easy. I clicked on the link in the page they have set up for the ash thing. Then clicked the first option to change dates/times/destinations. I went through the process and clicked on the same flight but on Wednesday which had £90 next to it. Then I went to confirm and it had that I owed 0 and I had to click accept on terms and conditions. It was very straighforward.

What do you mean they are not letting you manage your booking? Are you clicking on the link on the page about the ash or on the main page?

dudara

watna, I was trying to do that yesterday, but it would only let me change the time and the date, not the destination (I was trying to reroute to Cork).

I presume that the airline will only allow you to rechedule your original flight for free - they probably won't cover other destinations for free.

watna

dudara wrote: »

watna, I was trying to do that yesterday, but it would only let me change the time and the date, not the destination (I was trying to reroute to Cork).

I presume that the airline will only allow you to rechedule your original flight for free - they probably won't cover other destinations for free.

They should really though, shouldn't they?

I could have sworn the box I selected had change time date and destination in it. How strange.

Slideshowbob

From RTE website:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0417/transportupdates.html

21.20 Volcanologists have said the eruptions from Mount Eyjafjallajokull could continue for months.

Hmmmmmmmmm

Stinicker

Slideshowbob wrote: »

From RTE website:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0417/transportupdates.html

21.20 Volcanologists have said the eruptions from Mount Eyjafjallajokull could continue for months.

Hmmmmmmmmm

The one thing that will come from this is that it will probably spurn the greatest public works project in history as the European Union will have to pump trillions into a new ultra highspeed rail network across the federal union and the BundesAutobahn will have to be extended throughout Europe to give citizens an alternative to flying through these troubled skies. It will be driven by the need to cut emmissions and will spurn a massive new Infrastructure.

Like it or not our days with commerical aviation for the masses will soon be limited to inter continental flights and not internal flights within the union. As Peak Oil increases prices flying will no longer be the mundane mode of transport it is now.