Volcanic activity in Iceland delays flights to/from Europe
Apr 15, 2010, 8:07 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,803
So it looks like all AC flights out of LHR should get canceled tomorrow also.
And like all flights to LHR that depend upon planes being back here?
OTOH, presumably one cannot reschedule on a restricted ticket until cancellation is formalized?
And like all flights to LHR that depend upon planes being back here?
OTOH, presumably one cannot reschedule on a restricted ticket until cancellation is formalized?
Apr 15, 2010, 9:25 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Via Preference Privilege, AC*A, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,334
Flights out east look pretty packed after the first set of cancellations, ex-YYZ you would be lucky to get out Tuesday. If another set is canceled, its going to be much worse I imagine...
Apr 15, 2010, 9:43 pm
#49
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: GVA
Programs: On Sabbatical, BA Bronze
Posts: 589
If you check 845 today, it took something like 1 hour 23 minutes longer than normal.
AC uses 333 while for this YYC route LH now flies a 343. Longer and no ETOPS issue?
Not entirely convinced that congestion would be an issue. Most flights to Europwe would have been canceled. Flights to destinations further south are relatively few in comparison.
AC uses 333 while for this YYC route LH now flies a 343. Longer and no ETOPS issue?
Not entirely convinced that congestion would be an issue. Most flights to Europwe would have been canceled. Flights to destinations further south are relatively few in comparison.
I'm a little stupefied that AC didn't upgauge to 773 for this flight - it seems to me they could have used the opportunity to ease the pressure a bit by getting a few more people on the continent?
Apr 15, 2010, 9:46 pm
#50
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: GVA
Programs: On Sabbatical, BA Bronze
Posts: 589
at the moment? they're rolling in it - saving hundreds of thousands of dollars an hour as they're not burning fuel but still have the revenue.
Unless they start adding extra flights (I figure they'll have to for LHR if it lasts more than 24hrs) I don't see it costing them much more than an inflated call centre bill. a lot more full-fare Y has been sold for early next week than normal, i'd imagine as well.
but that's just a guess.
Unless they start adding extra flights (I figure they'll have to for LHR if it lasts more than 24hrs) I don't see it costing them much more than an inflated call centre bill. a lot more full-fare Y has been sold for early next week than normal, i'd imagine as well.
but that's just a guess.
Apr 15, 2010, 10:18 pm
#51
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 372
With all due respect there would not be a 777 crew in Zurich for a return flight. It is not so easy to upguage on little notice.Other considerations are catering equipment that would not be available etc
Apr 15, 2010, 11:21 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: GVA
Programs: On Sabbatical, BA Bronze
Posts: 589
Could put one on the plane, no?
I imagine there's equipment not going to fra or lhr that could be used no? Just saying a really unexpected and massive situation should cause some out of the box thinking
but what do I know, I'm just self loading cargo
Apr 15, 2010, 11:42 pm
#53
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,014
They mentioned on the news this evening that the last time this volcano erupted (200 years ago) it did so for 8 months. 
Lets hope it quiets down again quicker than that this time. Else, I think Cunard might start making a mint on the QM2.
Lets hope it quiets down again quicker than that this time. Else, I think Cunard might start making a mint on the QM2.
Apr 15, 2010, 11:51 pm
#54
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 576
Apr 16, 2010, 12:44 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: AC-SEMM, AA-Gold
Posts: 962
Urgent help - volcano delayed flights
am stuck in europe due to volcanic eruption
trying to reach se desks - international number on back of my card does not work - says to dial access code + 800
am using skype - I have the number so I am not asking for that but can someone guide me as to how to do this using skype -
Thanks much - am on a ship and phone rates are crazy
Also, would anyone have any updates on situation in FRA - concierge is closed there
trying to reach se desks - international number on back of my card does not work - says to dial access code + 800
am using skype - I have the number so I am not asking for that but can someone guide me as to how to do this using skype -
Thanks much - am on a ship and phone rates are crazy
Also, would anyone have any updates on situation in FRA - concierge is closed there
Apr 16, 2010, 12:55 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Do not use the Intl number. Just enter the North American SE desk number (+1 8XX XXX-XXXX).
Apr 16, 2010, 2:16 am
#58
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 25
Regardless, flight has been canceled. Shame as I won't be able to reschedule it for a while.
^ To Air Canada for at least communicating everything quickly. Now if only the Orbitz call center was more sure of what was going on, I could at least get my money back
Good luck to those stranded!
Apr 16, 2010, 2:16 am
#59
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YXU/BOS
Programs: AC SEMM
Posts: 939
just spoke to the fra concierge (via skype)- he is maintaining good humour but has absolutely no information whatsoever, and all flights over the next two days (even if they fly) are showing full.
one piece of advice - if you are arriving in fra, book a hotel early in the day online. I arrived late last night and there was absolutely nothing in the airport area, the ibis on the way into town, which is ordinarily 69E, had rooms starting at 229E.
one piece of advice - if you are arriving in fra, book a hotel early in the day online. I arrived late last night and there was absolutely nothing in the airport area, the ibis on the way into town, which is ordinarily 69E, had rooms starting at 229E.
Apr 16, 2010, 2:53 am
#60
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
My parents were due to fly YYZ-FRA yesterday; they made it to within 15 minutes of the airport before the cancellation happened (I expected it, but there was nothing to be done until it was real).
AC was very helpful, and rebooked them for the first available flight, LH on Monday night. The odds are that any rebooking for a flight in the next few days will be for naught anyway: the volcano is still erupting, and the ash is still spreading.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...aacuk_vag.html
Of course no one knows when the eruption will end (the last one at this volcano started in 1811 and finished in 1813!) -- there is a (small) possibility of a game-changing disruption to air travel, at least in Europe. And if the winds change the ash clouds could flow to North America too ...
AC was very helpful, and rebooked them for the first available flight, LH on Monday night. The odds are that any rebooking for a flight in the next few days will be for naught anyway: the volcano is still erupting, and the ash is still spreading.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...aacuk_vag.html
Of course no one knows when the eruption will end (the last one at this volcano started in 1811 and finished in 1813!) -- there is a (small) possibility of a game-changing disruption to air travel, at least in Europe. And if the winds change the ash clouds could flow to North America too ...