View Full Version : Iceland Volcano
We've just heard about the Iceland Volcano- not sure yet if our flight will go or not- we're due to fly home on Sat. Don't know much about it yet- but hope no-one has been hurt.
If anyone has any info I'd be grateful- we're just checking the Virgin website and flights seem to be cancelled up to tomorrow at the mo- a real shame for anyone due to fly out.
If we have to stay will our insurance pay out -I wonder???
Hi Lynn, we should have flown home today, but our flight has been cancelled. Not had a chance to see the news as been to busy re arranging stuff as the earliest US Airways could get us home is next Wednesday. If you have a confirmed flight for Saturday you might be okay as it may have cleared the UK air space by then.
Our insurance did not cover us as it is an act of god
Cheers Karen- thats a really long delay you have- I thought the insurance would prob not cover- hope you are ok money wise till then- did you get somewhere to stay?
markburwood
16-04-2010, 06:10
We also should have flown home today from MCO to LGW but Virgin have said the only flight thay have is from Miami to Heathrow on the 23rd, so a few more days here. [msnsmile2]
Lynn, we are fortunate that our villa is available until next Monday, then we are sorting out accommodation for the last 2 nights as we have a booking from then.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Karen
Hi Lynn, we should have flown home today, but our flight has been cancelled. Not had a chance to see the news as been to busy re arranging stuff as the earliest US Airways could get us home is next Wednesday. If you have a confirmed flight for Saturday you might be okay as it may have cleared the UK air space by then.
Our insurance did not cover us as it is an act of god
[/quote]
Not being flippant, but if an atheist had the money and inclination, could they take this to court?
Latest info from NATS is that UK airspace is likely to be closed until 19:00 BST Friday, although there is a review of that scheduled for 08:30 Friday.
Katys Grandad
16-04-2010, 12:39
I think I just heard somebody on the radio saying it would be 0100 Saturday AT THE EARLIEST.
Yes airspace now closed until 0100 - we should have flown to Majorca at 6.20 this morning for a week looks like we won't be going. By the way Karen the people who have booked your villa from next Monday, are they from England because if they are they can't get out in the same way you can't get back.
E. Cosgrove
16-04-2010, 12:55
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by wilfy
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Karen
Hi Lynn, we should have flown home today, but our flight has been cancelled. Not had a chance to see the news as been to busy re arranging stuff as the earliest US Airways could get us home is next Wednesday. If you have a confirmed flight for Saturday you might be okay as it may have cleared the UK air space by then.
Our insurance did not cover us as it is an act of god
[/quote]
Not being flippant, but if an atheist had the money and inclination, could they take this to court?
[/quote]
I think then they would just call it "Force Majeure" ??? not sure about spelling[msnembarrased][msnwink]
DisneyPrincess
16-04-2010, 13:09
My friend was due to ply to Orlando with her fiance and 10 month old baby this morning from Manchester - they travelled down and are now stuck there as they have been told the earliest flights wont take off til at least 1.00am Sat morning - this doesnt necessarily mean their flight though.
Awful for them on their first trip to Florida [msnsad]
Hope flights are back up and running from tomorrow as our son is due back on Saturday evening flight from New York and needs to get back to university. If not I fear the bank of Mum and Dad are due a call.
Madabouttigger
16-04-2010, 18:51
Jill - just had a call from my sister inlaw, she was due to fly back from New York Yesterday, earliest they can get her home is Tuesday - thats with KLM. So your son may be delayed.
Lyn, our booking for next Monday is a US one and I believe they are driving here.
Wilf, the insurance company did use another wording other than act of God, but I cannot remember what it was [msnscared]
shazza67
16-04-2010, 19:30
I am currently dog sitting for my friend whilst she is in Sunny Orlando! She was due to fly back yesterday with Virgin, but sent a msg to say won't be til next Wednesday!
Sharon
Latest timing has moved from 01.00 to 07.00 Saturday. Also heard a plane, the only one we have in this country, with specialist monitoring equipment is up taking readings which will go to the Met Office then Nats for them to make a decision on whether to open the air space.
britprincess
16-04-2010, 22:10
I'm currently sat at Orlando international being told flights not going we can't find a rep to find out anymore information so not sure what is going on!
Yep we are still none the wiser- looks like we won't know until some time tomorrow- which is a pain as by that time we will have checked out and will not have telephone or computer access
There are some flights being allowed from across the Atlantic but only into Northern Ireland & Scotland. My trip to Majorca has been cancelled so I am not going anywhere, roll on October & my trip to Florida, as I have said to people the Majorca trip was an extra and although I was looking foward to it I am not that bothered that I am not going, if it had been a Florida trip I would be devastated not to go.
Sorry your trip to Majorca's been cancelled - you must be really disappointed.
We are flying back to Scotland but no news yet if the flight is going and can't get through to Virgin
Steve Robbins
17-04-2010, 12:54
Hi guys,
Sorry to hear all the strife your suffering. I work at Gatwick and have just heard that flight restrictions have stretched to 0100 gmt sunday with midday suggested as earliest (only possible) chance of reopening. Fingers crossed.
Steve
DisneyPrincess
17-04-2010, 15:11
Just an update on my friend who was due to ply to florida yesterday from manchester. Her flight was cancelled completely but (thankfully) the travel agents have completely rearranged the holiday for them to fly on the 29th instead and upgraded their hotel.
christhear
17-04-2010, 23:10
I'm currently stuck in Cairo, Egypt. Flights are going from here to the US. I almost thought about getting one over there as the villa is currently empty, well I think so anyway. Did flights departing on the 14th get to the UK?
From what i've heard there are some flights going from the US to Scotland but mostly North America so New York etc. I really feel for the people who's holidays have been cancelled or delayed by this, and surely they can't class it as an act of god its the NATO that are saying you can't fly for safety reasons. I know of so many people either stuck abroad or waiting to here if they can get to go on holiday, going to cause a few problems Monday when its back to School, I wonder how many pupils/teachers are stuck on holiday! OH NO just thought you know what will happen if there are too many School teachers off don't you..... Another few days off for the kids returning after half term break! [msncry][msncry][msncry][msncry][msncry][msneek][msneek][msneek][msneek][msneek]
Managed to get through to BA eventually this morning and they are not planning to fly anything today or tomorrow to the States. Robert was due to fly back yesterday and the first seat I can get for him is for next Sunday so an extra week in New York which he does not want.
For a scientific viewpoint, check out http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-117
Btw, Ashley Davies mentioned in the article is my BiL, and recently appeared in the BBC series Wonders of the Solar System [clap] http://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/ADavies/
I see on the news that BA are running a test flight from Heathrow to Cardiff this evening, so fingers crossed all goes well
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by kitch50
I see on the news that BA are running a test flight from Heathrow to Cardiff this evening, so fingers crossed all goes well
[/quote]
KLM flew a test flight yesterday. I suspect all the airlines will start pushing their various authorities to open up the airspace - they can't afford for this to go on much longer at the rate they are losing money.
I heard that the KLM test flight had no problems.
Andrena
I know millions of pounds are being lost, but would you really want to fly unless they were sure it was safe and not just so no more monies were lost.
Absolutley Lyn, I would rather stay put till I know its really safe
Madabouttigger
19-04-2010, 21:19
Just announced on the news that air space north of Blackpool is going to be opened up tomorrow [msnwink]
bargainqueen
22-04-2010, 02:03
Have been checking BA site as we're due to fly out on Saturday.
Our flight 2037 went out ok and they have sent out another one, 2039, both are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. Don't know if it's a one off or they will do it for a couple of days.
we have friends who are out on their first visit , they went out on the 4th to the 14th , that was the day everything blew up , They managed to get from Orlando to NY but had to wait 5 days in NY until they were told by continental that the first flight available back home to Scotland would be the 1st May, Continental then let them fly back to Orlando to spend another 2 weeks there. I had to try and get them another villa while they were in Mid air as ours already had new rentor in, who flew out the day before the crisis and spent a few days in Miami first.
My friends originally went out for only 10 days and and now are having to stay for 1 month, they are shattered as you can imagine how can you budget for all that expence, ie hotels in NY , carhire for extra 2 weeks, and another villa for 2 weeks,plus food and entertainment.
it must be a nightmare especially as its their first time ...
luckylady
22-04-2010, 16:29
My guests came for a two weeks holiday, looks like they will be staying for 4 weeks plus 3 days. At first they were very concerned, but after speaking to Virgin they were reassured that they will be reimbursed for up to 3* accommodation, meals,transport to the airport and necessary phone call,providing they have dated valid receipts. They are using their credit card plus spare Dollars to pay for the added expense, decided to go with the flow and enjoy their extended holiday.
Just to let you know we arrived back home safe and sound today [msnsmile2]
luckylady
22-04-2010, 20:23
Welcome home Karen great news you arrive safely. [msnsmile2]
Just copied this from MSN if it helps anyone.
22 April 2010 From MSN
Claiming compensation from airlines - your rights
The rules
The European Union's airline passenger regulation - EU 261 - applies to all airlines which are based within the EU - regardless of where the flight took off.
The rules say that customers should have a choice of a refund or rerouting at the earliest opportunity at no extra cost. Where this is not an option, hotel accommodation, meals and refreshments should be paid until a new flight is provided. You should also receive transport between airport and accommodation and two free telephone calls, faxes or emails. There are no time limits specified for these provisions.
Breaking the law
Let's be clear. Much as some airlines would like there to be a limit or cap on the number of days they must look after stranded passengers, at the moment it does not exist. So if your airline says it will only cover costs for a limited amount of time then it is flouting the law.
Both the European Commission and Britain's Air Transport Users Council say any attempt to cap refunds is illegal. The Council has made a formal complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority about the failure of several airlines to abide by passenger protection laws. It said: 'Some airlines are giving misleading information as to consumer rights under EU law. The first point to know is that EU passenger rights laws do apply, despite the extreme difficulties that the eruption has caused.'
How to reclaim costs
• Write to the airline and set out all the details and costs and include receipts. Keep a photocopy of the receipts and the letter and ideally, send it via recorded delivery so there are no excuses for them to say they did not receive it.
• In your letter, state that 'under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 Article 5 you are entitled to be reimbursed or re-routed under Article 8 and also offered assistance, including accommodation, meals and transport under Article 9.'
• Remember that your costs should be reasonable. So if you stumped up for a hotel which was in a similar bracket to the one you were staying in and ate reasonably-priced meals then there should not be a problem. If the airline advised you to get yourself home then it should reimburse your costs, providing these were reasonable. If you abandoned your flight and made your own way back then they could turn your claim down.
• If your airline refuses to refund your costs then you can complain to the Air Transport Users Council or call Europe Direct free on: 00 800 6789 1011. Paul Charles recommends contacting your MEP, too.
• You should also read your travel insurance documents carefully and speak to your insurer to see what is and is not covered and whether you can make a claim.
chrizzy100
23-04-2010, 00:28
I went to offer my villa to a friend when hubby pointed out we had put in new locks and not changed the lock box keys..[msnembarrased][msnembarrased]
gulfcoastfisherman
23-04-2010, 21:55
[msnsad]
The compensation obviously only applies to EU based carriers. We're with US Airways and it has not been a good customer experience. There was no notification of the cancellation via text or email, and their policy was to keep the flight open on the website until a couple of hours beforehand. We had flights from Tampa to London via Charlotte and a 100 mile drive to Tampa first, so our biggest concern was that we could end up taking the first leg and get stuck up in Charlotte with 2 children and no connecting flight. I monitored the BBC & NATS site and stayed put and eventually US cancelled the flight so the gamble paid off. US had already made it clear to me that they weren't going to provide any assistance if we got to Charlotte so we really didn't want to go there!
Our original return flight schedule involved a 2 hour connection and started mid-afternoon but our new schedule has an early start, 6 hours at Phily and 4 hours at Frankfurt so we are on the go for well over 24 hours by the time we get home. They are flying us to Heathrow even though we were due to go to Gatwick! US Airways response to a request for assistance with extra costs has been that this is an 'Act of God' and therefore there they have no liability. I'm at Phily airport typing this and went to their Executive lounge earlier on and asked for a concession for the day (which I had already tried through their customer services) given our arduous new schedule but they are not interested in providing anything of any kind, not even a cup of coffee.
We had to vacate the villa and rent another one, extend the hire care (incidentally booked through this site but the extension cost with Alamo is not far off double the original rate so Roger you may wish to comment on this as they wouldn't budge for me..). We also had to find a hotel last night in Tampa as we had an early flight, so it's not exactly been the most relaxing holiday..
Luckily we can afford the extra costs of our enforced holiday, which is fortunate as it looking carefully at our insurer's website we might get a delayed departure payment if we are lucky but this is only £100!
On the good side, the Seaworld/Disney free tickets was a tremendous gesture and we whizzed around HS/AK/MK in one day as old hands and amazingly got on all of the big rides without too much trouble.
Sorry this is a long post - I'm probably tired and still angry at the US Airways attitude -I'd be interested in others' experiences of US based airlines over the last few days and whether they have all acted in the same manner.
sunseeker
23-04-2010, 22:40
My daughter is in Miami and should have flown home on Monday 19th. US Airways sent her a text to inform her that the flight had been cancelled, she then phoned them and got a new flight for the 1st May which was a bit of a shock for her. She has kept in touch with US Airways on a daily basis and has managed to bring her flight forward to Monday 26th. She arranged accomodation herself and is also enjoying the free entry to the parks. Her travel insurance will it seems only pay for delayed departure upto £250. She felt US Airways have done everything they can for her in a polite and professional manner. I did check US Airways website on the Sunday before she was due to fly home and there was, albeit small, information of cancelled flights in Europe.
Dave
britprincess
24-04-2010, 02:47
I'm at the airport hopefully on my way home today, slight delay tho fingers crossed!!!