The Big Volcanic Ash from Iceland Thread

Flight VS072 to Glasgow is due to depart tonight although there is nothing on the online departure boards and the virgin website says there is no flights in or out today.

Just checked the departure board and it is listed as leaving at 21.00 local time. There's also a CO flying to Bristol UK via Newark.

on works system it shows that theres flights still scheduled at mco , might be a tad wrong though

VIR16 B744 London Gatwick (EGKK / LGW) Sun 07:54PM EDT Mon 09:39AM BST
VIR16 B744 London Gatwick (EGKK / LGW) Mon 07:47PM EDT Tue 09:10AM BST
VIR28 B744 London Gatwick (EGKK / LGW) Mon 06:12PM EDT Tue 07:35AM BST
VIR28 B744 London Gatwick (EGKK / LGW) Sun 06:19PM EDT Mon 08:04AM BST

I don't know if BA are any different but the fact that I can't rebook online is a joke.

[Pete]

I don't know if BA are any different but the fact that I can't rebook online is a joke.

I can understand the frustration, but the priority is to get stranded passengers home first before those that haven't started the outbound leg first.

katie ,G-VLIP is down as being at man , it might be in a shed

Maybe still fixing the seats and cleaning the loo's ):

I don't know if BA are any different but the fact that I can't rebook online is a joke.

I can understand the frustration, but the priority is to get stranded passengers home first before those that haven't started the outbound leg first.

I am that priority; I am out in Las Vegas and due to be flying home tomorrow via San Francisco. I appreciate that this is difficult but given I am calling up someone to tap into a computer a new flight, surely that is something I could do?

Again, it might be all airlines make everyone ring up so that is how it is.

[Darren Wheeler]

NATS have now announced that the situation may be worsening in some areas following a strengthening of the eruption.

Next updates:

03:00
07:00

[Pete]

I don't know if BA are any different but the fact that I can't rebook online is a joke.

I can understand the frustration, but the priority is to get stranded passengers home first before those that haven't started the outbound leg first.

I am that priority; I am out in Las Vegas and due to be flying home tomorrow via San Francisco. I appreciate that this is difficult but given I am calling up someone to tap into a computer a new flight, surely that is something I could do?

Again, it might be all airlines make everyone ring up so that is how it is.

Ah sorry, didn't realise. Is it because your flight isn't yet officially 'cancelled'?

Ah sorry, didn't realise. Is it because your flight isn't yet officially 'cancelled'?

My flight has been officially cancelled; just had the email from Virgin.

I have just remembered that during the BA strike I could rebook online once I had a flight cancelled. Yet on Virgin I have to ring up (which is simply not possible at the moment).

I travel on Virgin a lot (Gold card holder) and have never experienced any issues but this is it for me. For the sake of investment in their website I am sat here not knowing how long to book a hotel for or when I can go home.

VS website:

UPDATE ON POSSIBLE REOPENING OF UK AIRSPACE
We have been advised by UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS) of the possibility of UK Airspace being reopened at 13:00H (UK Local time) on Tuesday 20 April 2010. This is not yet confirmed therefore please DO NOT go to the airport in the hope of boarding a flight even if you have a confirmed reservation for flights departing after this time.

Currently we are working on a plan to re-establish our normal flying programme as well as a recovery strategy to bring passengers back to their country of residence. This is dependent on further confirmation and instructions from NATS. More information will be posted on the website at 23:00H Monday 19 April 2010.

Situation still very fluid!

From the info that Pete puts up on the site (that comes direct from VS) there appears to be no a/c in MCO at the moment....however there does appear to be some discrepancy with the information at the moment.

[quote= Virginboy 747]
English Rose at MCO

There was cetainly a VS plane at MCO yesterday (Sunday) as I saw it when I went to change cars

Just had a quick peek at the MCO departure board and the GLA flight has been cancelled...

They have just cancelled the VS20 that was due to leave San Francisco tomorrow (20th). Given UK air space will be open by the time it comes in to land and there is a plane at SFO, I have no idea.

As Bill and Darren say, the situation is "dynamic" and whether UK airspace will actually be open is debatable. I've just watched the BBC news where they led with "New Ash Cloud!" headline and followed it up with on the ground report from Iceland where the reporter said "What Ash Cloud?"

[Scrooge]

Apprarently the Tories want the Govt and airlines to hire cruise ships.

Almost 200 million pax flights per year.
Say 500,000 a day.
Now 2,000,000 pax out of position.

If (thats a big If!) pax would accept the same conditions as war-time troop ships.....they could maybe get 20,000 on a ship....more likely only 4,000...then 125 cruise ships would take 4 weeks. And that's from just 4 days disruption.

Sounds like a Political solution!

And how long is a transatlantic crossing? 4 days? 5 days?

To drag up a term from the time of the Pilgrim Fathers, "Puke Stockings"

I thought I had replied to this post, but guess not ?|

Anyways, the QM2 can do a trans Atlantic in 5 days if you open her up, but the fuel costs go through the roof.

Most other ships your looking at 7 - 8 days one way, depending on weather and sea conditions.

There really isn't a lot of ships out there that are free to run this kind of operation and the ones that are would need time to get a crew, provision and get to the right part of the world.... With that said, the last time this volcano let lose was in 1821....It lasted for 2 years

What ash cloud?


This (current) one:

(actually it was the last pic. I took before it got dark!

[Pete]

More freebies for stranded holidaymakers in Orlando including Wet 'n Wild and Wycliffe Discovery Centre.

Thanks Pete

Waiting for the Universal offer as my annual passes have expired for there

Again, I think it is fantastic that these offers are coming out.

We might be off to SeaWorld tomorrow - do the awesome Manta ride, but I have to go in the 'single riders' line.

Now, if only that blasted sun would come out !

Just goes to show how lucky we as a family have been. I have just seen a picture of passengers at JFK (where we are meant to be flying from) on camp beds etc. Although I can get in the loung as an Au it is not attractive enough to stay a week there !

[Pete]

Universal are certainly starting to look a bit mean whilst every other Orlando attraction is throwing open their doors to stranded passengers at the moment. Seems that they are happy to take are money when the sun shines, and all that... But maybe I'm just being cynical.

How's Mrs S. holding up?

Face like a smacked ****. LOL

When I told her about the potential opening of airspace she was cheering. I just can't understand it. Maybe I am not as good company as I thought !

[Pete]

Interesting to see a flurry of 'scheduled' notifications come down the wire from Virgin, which may be optimistic - but certainly their very existence is more optimistic than they've been since Friday.

We are stuck in Shanghai, original booking back to Heathrow was Saturday 17th, now rebooked to Tuesday 27th (would have been 29th had we not paid 90 quid each to upgrade to PE).

There is almost certainly a Virgin plane at Pudong, as we have spoken to a couple who were on board the aircraft on Thursday only to find airspace closed, flight cancelled and had to disembark.

[Pete]

I've created this page, which shows the live feed of future scheduled/estimated flights - and this gives some insight into what Virgin are hoping to do should they be allowed to fly as planned.

Hearing reports at 11:30pm time on WESH 2 Orlando that Disney and Universal have followed Seaworld's example and offering free entrance to stranded pax.

Flight now rebooked. Earliest flight available was out of Newark on May 2nd. I hope something becomes free before then as people make other plans.

To add, I was told on the phone the following:

Up to $150 per night for hotels
$10 for breakfast
$15 for lunch
$20 for dinner

There is confusion over all of this. every 'expert' gives different info.

Was on on BBC this morning whos stock answer was 'IF it is covered by your insurance you should get the £ back'

Also misunderstandings over the EU rules too - the hotels etc should still be provided by the airline / operator BUT you wont get the cancelled / delays element under the circular.