Heathrow - missed connecting flight

Nicki123

Hi, my sister has finally landed in Heathrow from Bangkok after the second attempt - they were 8 hours into the initial flight when they were turned back to Bangkok. They took off again today and have now landed in Heathrow but obviously they've missed their connecting flight back home to Dublin with Aer Lingus. Quantas are saying that they're not responsible for them anymore and that they should collect their baggage and make their way to an Aer Lingus desk to try to rebook. Now I've told them not to leave the terminal as they wont be allowed back in - saw on the news that they are not allowing anyone into the terminals who does not have a valid ticket for a plane that is scheduled to take off.
Of course there's no customer service numbers available to ring Aer Lingus so does anyone know if it's Quantas or Aer Lingus who are responsible for them now? I reckon they're looking at a long wait to get home so if anyone has any suggestions on how to get them to Dublin I'd be most greatful. I've checked all the greater London airports and no flights available to anywhere in Ireland for 3 people any time soon.

biZrb

You can try to see if there is any availability on the eurolines coaches, they go from London Victoria to Holy head then on the ferry to Dublin:

http://www.eurolines.co.uk/coach/Destinations/Ireland/Ireland-index.aspx

You can also get the train to Holy Head and the ferry to Dublin:

http://www.seat61.com/Ireland.htm

They are operators that do an all in one package, the train to Dublin starts at only £30 one way.

You could also look at booking a train ticket from Euston to Holyhead then a passenger ticket on the ferry from there without using either of the above companies. It will work out more expensive but give better flexibility.

Hope they make it back for xmas.

BuffyBot

If they booked it on one ticket, then Qantas is responsible for rebooking them/sorting accomodation etc, etc.
If they booked the Aer Lingus flight seperately, then Qantas has no responisbility for them, and Aer Lingus have no responsbility to re-book them for free etc.

Nicki123

Thanks guys, they are currently on a train bound for Holyhead. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they make the ferry in time!
Heathrow was a disaster. They had booked their flights through trailfinders and of course there was no-one manning the phones in Aerlingus or Trailfinders last night so I couldn't clarify who was responsible for rebooking them.
The important part was getting them home for christmas and hopefully they will be now. Thanks for your help.