Airports closed as volcanic ash drifts toward UK

[Kymmy]

They only need to offer accomodation if you are on a leg of a flight that started elsewhere (i.e.. a return ticket or changover) As already said budget airlines get passed this by doing each leg as a seperate flight (you can NOT buy returns or multi-leg journeys from then) so they do not need to offer accomadation with the ONLY options being refund or transfer within 30 days

[superbiatch]

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

I think you might be right. According to the news I have been watching, I am not sure if I got this right, but I understood that airlines are supposed to refund the fare AND get you back home. However the easyjet website offers a refund (on unused part of the flight) OR a transfer within 30 days. So I assume that if I go for the refund I then need to make alternative arrangements. However I understand that all airlines have to offer accomadation for long delays.

To be honest I am not too fussed about accomadation as I have family in Lisbon, although I will take the accomodation if offered (don«t want to impose on people if i don't have to). I also need to check my travel insurance documents to see if there is anything in there regarding disruptions caused by volcanos.

I've only just read your full story, so my reply didn't really apply to you as it did me - sorry. You're already stuck there

I'm unsure about a hotel being paid for by easyjet as something in the back of my mind is telling me they aren't liable, although i'm not sure if they might offer as a gesture of goodwill.

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

They only need to offer accomodation if you are on a leg of a flight that started elsewhere (i.e.. a return ticket or changover) As already said budget airlines get passed this by doing each leg as a seperate flight (you can NOT buy returns or multi-leg journeys from then) so they do not need to offer accomadation with the ONLY options being refund or transfer within 30 days

DOnt all airlines make you book and price the return leg of your flight separately nowadays. Even BA and TAP which I don´t classify as budget airlines. I thought that free accomadation has to be given if you have a confirmed booking for a return portion of your flight.

[Kymmy]

Nope, if you go throught the BA booking system then it quotes "•Outbound prices shown are valid only when purchased as a return journey." so the return is attached to the ticket and it's not two seperate tickets

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Nope, if you go throught the BA booking system then it quotes "•Outbound prices shown are valid only when purchased as a return journey." so the return is attached to the ticket and it's not two seperate tickets

Thanks for clarifying.

---------- Post added at 10:19 ---------- Previous post was at 10:13 ----------

The easyjet website suggests I am entitled to accomadation (I think I am reading this correctly)

http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/regulations.html#delays under delays and cancellations.

[Kymmy]

Possibly with option "1. Re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity;"

but from what I read elsewhere that option due to the nature of the event is not applicable and the only options are reroute at a later date or refund

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Personally I am of the opinion that flights originating from EU states, be they budget airlines or not, are governed by EU regulations. The EU regulations I have read so far do not distinguish between budget and non budget airlines.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8621779.stm the paragraph near the bottom reinforces my view above.

[alferret]

Latest from NATS

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Saturday April 17, 2045

The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape. Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 1300 (UK time) tomorrow, Sunday 18 April.
We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 0300 (UK time), Sunday 18 April.

http://www.nats.co.uk/

[Hom3r]

I believe that some airlines will if they have passengers stranded overseas without any accommodation they will in the current situation put people up in hotel and feed them.

After all if they keep them sweet and they will come back and tell people of what they did for them.

[Stuart]

Well, I have a couple of friends affected by this.

1 is a little peeved that his holiday to mallorca is effectively cancelled (he had a five day break booked starting last thursday).

1 is in Thailand on a 3 month break, but isn't due back for a few weeks.

1 is stuck in New York on a business trip, and is loving it.. Apparently, she can claim the hotel accommodation costs from her company.

like I said I may profit from this if there are any staff still at their holiday destinations come 9 am on Monday..

[Jimmy-J]

My sons holiday to Egypt has been cancelled, He doesn't seem to be that bothered about it though.

[danielf]

Wife's work has started a rescue mission. One of her colleagues (and his brother) have driven to the chunnel and are now in Calais.The missus has managed to get a hire car which she'll drive from Italy to France (this involved a trip to the opticians as she didn't have her driving glasses on her). ETA back home is some time on Monday. She left last Tuesday for a 2 day trip...

[alferret]

UK is still a no fly zone

Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 1900 (UK time) today, Sunday April 18.

[injuneer]

They were saying on the news that the last volcano to erupt in Iceland, in the 80's I think, spewed out ash for six months! We just need a change in wind direction.