FTers on the (cancelled A380) LH455 20 Dec?
Dec 21, 2012, 9:36 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BSL/FRA or PHL
Programs: LH Miles and More, DL SkyMiles, Bonvoy, Hilton
Posts: 2,335
From the NE Coast of the US, it really isn't THAT much further via FRA to places like SIN, since one has to stop somewhere anyway (and especially now, since SQ is discontinuing the nonstop EWR/SIN flight). You just have to allow for the long layover in FRA (although time for some reason passes quickly for me in the FCT 
).
However, I agree: even for a dedicated maximizer like me, it doesn't make much sense to travel to Asia via the EU from SFO.
).However, I agree: even for a dedicated maximizer like me, it doesn't make much sense to travel to Asia via the EU from SFO.
Dec 21, 2012, 9:56 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 337
I'm guessing most flights are already fully booked, if not overbooked. But I hope they managed to get most people onto different flights by now. I almost changed my flight date to yesterday, and now I'm really glad that I didn't.
LH 454 finally left FRA so I'm hoping I get out of SFO tonight on 455. Still wondering what the delay was in FRA.
LH 454 finally left FRA so I'm hoping I get out of SFO tonight on 455. Still wondering what the delay was in FRA.
Dec 21, 2012, 11:20 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: LH SEN, OW Emerald, AF/KL Gold, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 66
As of 9am PST today the 380 is still parked close to the United hangars.
Yesterday was the worst mess I have ever experienced. First LH announced a delay of an hour, then the flight was postponed until 8pm. Around 5pm they finally canceled the flight.
The local team was completely clueless. The toll-free number they handed out for rebookings didn't work. Finally I got to the Senator line and they rebooked me for Sunday 23d. The earliest available seat in Y
Yesterday was the worst mess I have ever experienced. First LH announced a delay of an hour, then the flight was postponed until 8pm. Around 5pm they finally canceled the flight.
The local team was completely clueless. The toll-free number they handed out for rebookings didn't work. Finally I got to the Senator line and they rebooked me for Sunday 23d. The earliest available seat in Y
Dec 21, 2012, 11:28 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
The A380 load of pax at the gate were told the flight wasn't happening and to go to the LH ticket counters or call the LH US 800 phone number ...
Those who called the 800 number were told by LH reps 1) "huh? What do you mean the flight is cancelled" and 2) "we aren't authorized to rebook or otherwise help you, you need to go to the ticket counters for that".
And those who waited in the hours long lines at the SFO ticket counters were told "we can't rebook you, you need to call the 800 number, these lines are for hotel vouchers only"
It was heartbreaking to see one very elderly and frail looking couple trying to stand in the lines. They looked absolutely bewildered, scared even. They probably should have been in wheelchairs. A young American woman finally took out her cell phone, discreetly snapped some fotos of them in the horrendous line, walked over to a LH rep, snapped his picture, and told him to take care of them before she felt compelled to post the story to Twitter, FB, etc, etc. I don't know how that eventually ended since I was headed to talk to UA.
The hotel most were eventually sent to was the Marriott Santa Clara.
Those who called the 800 number were told by LH reps 1) "huh? What do you mean the flight is cancelled" and 2) "we aren't authorized to rebook or otherwise help you, you need to go to the ticket counters for that".
And those who waited in the hours long lines at the SFO ticket counters were told "we can't rebook you, you need to call the 800 number, these lines are for hotel vouchers only"
It was heartbreaking to see one very elderly and frail looking couple trying to stand in the lines. They looked absolutely bewildered, scared even. They probably should have been in wheelchairs. A young American woman finally took out her cell phone, discreetly snapped some fotos of them in the horrendous line, walked over to a LH rep, snapped his picture, and told him to take care of them before she felt compelled to post the story to Twitter, FB, etc, etc. I don't know how that eventually ended since I was headed to talk to UA.
The hotel most were eventually sent to was the Marriott Santa Clara.
Last edited by Quokka; Dec 21, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Dec 21, 2012, 11:31 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
So far this all seem to be lacking any details... I'm sure that rebookings during the holiday season won't be easy. But it would be nice to get some facts how it's actually has been handled.
And that people are upset about the delay is only to be expected, just as the sob stories are about missing a wedding or something simular. I expect most people choose that flight to get to FRA today....
So what did LH do?
Edit: just answered above while typing.
And that people are upset about the delay is only to be expected, just as the sob stories are about missing a wedding or something simular. I expect most people choose that flight to get to FRA today....
So what did LH do?
Edit: just answered above while typing.
Last edited by RTW1; Dec 21, 2012 at 11:43 am
Dec 21, 2012, 12:22 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Yes, I just saw your post that the first availability is Dec 23rd.... That's bad.
And not to diminish the lack of competence in rebooking, but that would probably have been a nightmare anyway during this period. Not much spare capacity anywhere I would guess.
I hope the rest of your trip will be better.
And not to diminish the lack of competence in rebooking, but that would probably have been a nightmare anyway during this period. Not much spare capacity anywhere I would guess.
I hope the rest of your trip will be better.
Dec 21, 2012, 12:27 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: AMS
Posts: 899
It was heartbreaking to see one very elderly and frail looking couple trying to stand in the lines. They looked absolutely bewildered, scared even. They probably should have been in wheelchairs. A young American woman finally took out her cell phone, discreetly snapped some fotos of them in the horrendous line, walked over to a LH rep, snapped his picture, and told him to take care of them before she felt compelled to post the story to Twitter, FB, etc, etc. I don't know how that eventually ended since I was headed to talk to UA.
Dec 21, 2012, 1:35 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: TK Gold, M&M FTL, QR Gold, HH Diamond, PCR Platinum
Posts: 1,667
Dec 21, 2012, 2:29 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: LH SEN, OW Emerald, AF/KL Gold, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 66
Not to my knowledge, I was placed into the Homewood Suites / Hilton in Brisbane just a few miles north of the airport.
Last edited by Momo4Ever; Dec 21, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Dec 21, 2012, 3:20 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
From what we can read here and on vielfliegertreff.de it seems LH's handling of the situation was absolutely pathetic.
Additionally, I don't buy the "turbulence" story. I guess there is something else wrong with this bird?
Additionally, I don't buy the "turbulence" story. I guess there is something else wrong with this bird?
Dec 21, 2012, 5:03 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 337
The bird is currently still sitting here in the rain at SFO. I am not seeing any work being done to it.
The check-in counters are way understaffed right now. LH called earlier today that people need to be checked in by 5PM, and right now there is only one business/ first check-in counter open with agents running around like chickens with their head cut off. Took me almost an hour to get checked in. I did get a $40 food voucher though, can't complain there.
The check-in counters are way understaffed right now. LH called earlier today that people need to be checked in by 5PM, and right now there is only one business/ first check-in counter open with agents running around like chickens with their head cut off. Took me almost an hour to get checked in. I did get a $40 food voucher though, can't complain there.
Dec 21, 2012, 5:26 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: LH SEN, OW Emerald, AF/KL Gold, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 66
The same flight LH455 got already canceled on December 9, was that the same plane?
Yesterday the flight from Europe arrived on time, LH were inspecting the airplane for almost 3 hours before the flight was canceled. Is there something more serious going on in the background or was the flight canceled for commercial reasons (time limits by EU laws before higher compensation kicks in)?
