RocketmanBRU

No, they solved that that technical issue, so should not be a problem again. The major impact of snow though is to force the high-speed trains (Eurostar, Thalys, etc., services) to have to operate at lower speeds because of snow/icing on tracks. That's the case with Eurostar today, adding about 1-hour extra to the trip between London & Brussels.

Many LHR-bound pax ended-up in BRU last night, as inbound to UK flights were diverted here. Thousands spent the night in the international transit zone (those without proper immigration papers to enter Belgium) being cared-for by the Red Cross. Many will be stuck here another night, as ops from BRU are irregular today as now we are having snowstorms. http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuw...101219_airport

That being said, we managed to beat the snow this morning with one family member make it OK YUL-BRU on AC 832 and a family friend go outbound on the turn-around AC 833! The airport was a zoo though.

0zenon0

I was supposed to fly from LHR to Prince George today via YVR. I am now booked out of CDG on the 23rd as they coudln't get me out of London before Christmas.

They did say AC might be sending some extra planes over though, and I am on a queue for that. Really hoping AC comes through with that.

Best of luck to al stranded.

Zen

global happy traveller

glad to know they fixed it..... in canada we'd prob be waiting for the next round of fundings

airbus320

MONTREAL, Dec. 19, 2010 - Air Canada advises that due to continuing severe winter storm conditions in England and elsewhere in Europe there will be delays and cancellations of London and Paris flights, as well as an impact on connecting flights within Europe, for at least another 48 hours.

"Air Canada deeply regrets the inconvenience caused by the cancellation of our Heathrow flights by circumstances outside of our control. Unfortunately, we do not anticipate resuming normal services at Heathrow for at least 48 hours. Furthermore, due to the tremendous backlog caused by the closure of Heathrow over the past two days, our ability to provide seats to customers of already cancelled flights will be severely limited by already full flights during the Christmas holiday peak and the scarcity of available slots at Heathrow airport. We are watching the situation closely and preparing to resume operations once conditions permit in order to get customers to their destinations safely," said Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Due to weather restrictions at London Heathrow, Air Canada cancelled all of its departures from London to Canada for the morning of Sunday, December 19, and as a result a number of flights yet to be determined from Canada to London for the evening of Sunday, December 19 have also been cancelled because aircraft availability. The severe winter weather is also affecting other European stations, notably Paris, where airport conditions are imposing lengthy delays or cancellations on carriers. Due to heavy holiday passenger loads and slot constraints at Heathrow, Air Canada has limited ability to immediately protect passengers whose flights are affected. Air Canada asks passengers to postpone non-essential travel and is waiving change and cancellation fees for those who wish to reschedule on affected routes.

Customers with flights to or from affected areas are advised to check on the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport by consulting the Air Canada website at aircanada.com, or by calling Air Canada's automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533, or by using a web-enhanced cell phone.

cinycat

Same thing happened last year at Christmas. Flew from GVA to LHR a day late (flights were totally cancelled the day I was to have flown). Got to LHR and found the YVR flight had been cancelled. Had to stay at a hotel (courtesy of BA). Got out the following day but I know that some people didn't get out for days.

What I heard was that a) LHR had literally no de-icing machines and b) staff could not get into work. Personally I think that YVR handles snow much better (at least we don't freak and shut the airport with 2 cm of snow).

that's my two cents.

2MM_Guy

Must be the global warming.

payam81

If anyone is shceduled to go through LHR, and if at all possible, avoid all of the EU and the US/Canada West Coast and try to route eastwards via Asia.

The West Coast is gonna get a pounding and BAA has also revised it's advisory, matching the AC advisory, warning of more Cancels/Delays tomorrow as well:

arf04

True enough. Our high speed trains don't work well in cold weather either.

wsommerv

Unfortunately Eurostar has just stopped taking bookings for travel up to and including the 24th.

jdbelfast

Yesterday was in Maple Leaf Lounge when flight was cancelled from YYZ-LHR. AC said if you were in transit they would arrange a hotel and provide food vouchers, if you were starting your journey in YYZ, advice was to go home. I asked how could I go home given i was on a work trip? Was told that YYZ was considered my home for the purposes and collect my bag. Went and collected luggage but thought i would go to complain. Met a highly arrogant and obnoxious team leader who said "we cannot provide for everyone". To be fair to him at least he provided me with the distressed passenger hotel booking number.

This morning i scoped out possible re-routing and was willing to go anywhere in the UK or Ireland. Went to AC desk and while in queue they shouted they could do nothing for people booked on LHR but i stayed in queue and asked about rerouting was told it was impossible bt i could be booked to LHR for a flight on the 27th, and be on standby in the meantime.

went around every desk and US airways were fantastic. Got a flight yyz-phi-dub.

I've flown 4 times from UK-Canada in past 6 months, all on AC, but for my next 4 flights in the next 6 months i'll go on any other airline

tracon

One AC flight to LHR did end up in DUB yesterday.

FWIW, west of the UK, there are 8 airplanes in the air that departed LHR.
All BA or VS.
About 1/hr. They have been departing one every 15-30 mins recently.

fin 645

If I were you, I'd wait until US actually gets you somewhere before making such statements. Just because their reservations computer is able to book a flight does not mean it will happen given the colossal number of aircraft and crew, not to mention passengers, who are still in very much the wrong places. It's clearly an awful situation, but as the old saying goes, s**t happens.

Stranger

Precisely. No joke.

Stranger

Not sure what "our" means here.

But I took two German ICE trains last week. Both arrived about an hour late.

jdbelfast

I know- it is not the delays that are causing me the anger- it's the attitude of AC staff and their policies that are annoying me