In London and trying to second guess what qantas might do

[anat0l]

The fact that there is no space left at LHR (slots) means that it's going to take ridiculous amounts of time and grief to get everyone where they want to be, because every carrier is going to want more slots than they have so they can stack on extra flights. The air traffic restrictions on London airspace probably won't be eased either to clear the backlog of pax.

Perhaps the only ones being advantaged are those with good hubs besides LHR. Of course, this does rely on ferrying ex-LHR pax to those hubs, which is hard enough in itself.

An extremely expensive exercise for all involved.

 

[docjames]

The fact that there is no space left at LHR (slots) means that it's going to take ridiculous amounts of time and grief to get everyone where they want to be, because every carrier is going to want more slots than they have so they can stack on extra flights. The air traffic restrictions on London airspace probably won't be eased either to clear the backlog of pax.

Perhaps the only ones being advantaged are those with good hubs besides LHR. Of course, this does rely on ferrying ex-LHR pax to those hubs, which is hard enough in itself.

An extremely expensive exercise for all involved.

That's an interesting option though - ferry 744 loads LHR-FRA for example (or to HEL) and shuttle to SIN or HKG from there.....

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well assuming the flight flies..

Make sure you check in early. This will be no time to be last in the queue!!!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

That's an interesting option though - ferry 744 loads LHR-FRA for example (or to HEL) and shuttle to SIN or HKG from there.....

Or from British Airports like Manchester.

 

[docjames]

Or from British Airports like Manchester.

I was thinking somewhere part of the way really.

AUH would also be an option, as they could probably do a deal with Eithad to run a "charter" flight, plus there would be available accomodation.

Would a 330 have the legs for AUS-AUH? Probably not from SYD/MEL/BNE but maybe PER?? They could use a 330 PER-AUH-PER perhaps?

 

[v8Statesman]

I was thinking somewhere part of the way really.

AUH would also be an option, as they could probably do a deal with Eithad to run a "charter" flight, plus there would be available accomodation.

Would a 330 have the legs for AUS-AUH? Probably not from SYD/MEL/BNE but maybe PER?? They could use a 330 PER-AUH-PER perhaps?

I think that maybe a stretch. PER-BOM-PER would be "do-able"

 

[mannej]

I was thinking somewhere part of the way really.

AUH would also be an option, as they could probably do a deal with Eithad to run a "charter" flight, plus there would be available accomodation.

Would a 330 have the legs for AUS-AUH? Probably not from SYD/MEL/BNE but maybe PER?? They could use a 330 PER-AUH-PER perhaps?

It is around 9000km's PER-AUH so you would be stretching it. Perhaps a 767 has more legs than the 333, but not more than the 332? (I am trying to remember what is published re QF's fleet info)

 

[docjames]

I think that maybe a stretch. PER-BOM-PER would be "do-able"

Presume BKK is also out (? 12hr on a 744 vs 14 to SIN).

I guess this illustrates that when you do long-haul only, with a "hub" so close to Australia, you rapidly run out of options.

Looks like it'll be a mixture of
- overflow onto existing flights
- overflow onto other airlines

Either way, some are going to be waiting ages. The one advantage is the numbers will eventually peak (and/or fall) as some will rebook much later, some will outright cancel, and suspect some close forward bookings will not happen, so I'd say (mathematically) the numbers wont continue to massively rise if this becomes more prolonged (ie. weeks).

 

[Blackadder]

Could LGW be a option for shuttle flights (assuming slots available):?:

 

[PineappleSkip]

Eu rules would only cover for hotels/incidentals and not the payouts for denied boarding I would think; I would say that it would be pretty reasonable of them to claim exceptional situation

I understand that some of the airlines - BA constantly mentioned - have themselevs been seeking compensation because of the extraordinary impact that the denied boarding regulations - and the way the EU is applying them - are having on them.

With airspace and airports closed in EU countries including the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas praised the efforts of aviation authorities but made clear that some passenger rights would apply despite the 'very exceptional circumstance'.
He said the volcanic ash cloud was a very significant threat to air safety and national authorities were required by international law to take steps to ensure safety.
'In this case, the airports and those responsible for air traffic control have taken very swift and appropriate action to safeguard the public, and there is excellent co-ordination and co-operation at European level, notably within Eurocontrol.
'But, even in exceptional circumstances, EU passenger rights continue to apply and air travellers should speak up to claim their rights.'

Full report here. I'm sure there's others.
RT

I read elsewhere that Ryanair are squealing like stuck pigs at the situation, a delicious thought

Cheers skip

 

[oz_mark]

We hold PE seats on Qantas to travel in 12 days time however given these are unique circumstances I am wanting to find out what is likely to happen to our booking should say flights return in say a weeks time. Would our booking still stand or would Qantas allocate our seats to folks that have missed earlier flights when their flights were cancelled.

The published information from Qantas is that passengers from cancelled flights will be rebooked on first available services. There is no suggestion they will push people off operating flights to make way for them.

A couple of other bits from their FAQ:

We can advise at this time that there is no seat availability on services to Europe until early May. Qantas is exploring the opportunity to operate supplementary flights to reduce back loads however these services cannot be applied for until we have confirmation on airspace availability from European authorities.

United Kingdom and Europe Flight Disruptions

 

[Blackadder]

QF are going to have a press conference later this afternoon to update the situation.

 

[docjames]

I read elsewhere that Ryanair are squealing like stuck pigs at the situation, a delicious thought

Cheers skip

Not a good time to be flying Ryanair.

But then, when is...

 

[Optics]

I am booked on QF31 SYD-LHR on 23/4, and QF have just confirmed they will recommence flights that day. As this is my first flight on the A380 and is also the flight I need to retain my WP status prior to my year end 30/6, I am very happy about this .

Now I'll just keep my fingers crossed those blessed volcanoes behave themselves for the next few days and the winds stay in favourable directions.

 

[clifford]

I'm currently in KUL waiting for my flight back to Oz tonight. As someone who has just experienced major hassles and costs due to the volcanic ash cloud, I'm a bit surprised that there doesn't seem to be more discussion about it on this board. Tyrrany of distance perhaps or just something else?

Was ticketed to fly CBR-OOL-KUL-BOM-IST-DUB-LHR-LAX-MEL. Ended up flying CBR-OOL-KUL-DXB-FCO-CAI-KUL-OOL-SYD. Enjoyed Rome though (pity it wasn't on my itinerary).

Must admit, Air Asia X didn't help by having its OOL-KUL flight delayed by 8 hours (nothing to do with ash. Everything to do with a dead plane). Great airline, just don't expect them to be anywhere near on time.

Mods, feel free to relocate this post to somewhere more appropriate.

 

[Mal]

I'm currently in KUL waiting for my flight back to Oz tonight. As someone who has just experienced major hassles and costs due to the volcanic ash cloud, I'm a bit surprised that there doesn't seem to be more discussion about it on this board. Tyrrany of distance perhaps or just something else?

I think only a very small number of AFF'ers are actually affected (I think less than 5 have posted about being affected), hence the lack of discussion. Also it not really affecting Australian flights doesn't lead to it being heavily discussed.