European airspace closure 2010 (volcano ash) - general posts and discussion
Apr 15, 2010, 4:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
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European airspace closure 2010 (volcano ash) - general posts and discussion
Original thread title: UK Airspace closed today - no info from AA
The current volcano ash related closures thread here is the best for checking resources for current information. This thread has been rededicated to general discussions, personal travel updates and impacts, etc. Thanks for your cooperation during challenging travel times. / Moderator
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Original post:
The entire British airspace is closed because of the volcanic ash from Iceland, yet there is nothing on aa.com, americanairlines.co.uk or the @AAirwaves twitter feed about rebooking, rescheduling, when the flights are expected to resume etc.
I know it's an American company and these changes won't affect 90% of AA customers (and yes, it's the middle of the night at DFW or wherever the website is managed) but surely this is exactly what Twitter and the web is for - for up-to-date information for passengers affected by this. I'd rather read about this on the @AAirwaves twitter feed than read yet another retweet from someone praising AA.
(Sorry to rant - concerned about making AA87 to ORD on Saturday)
The current volcano ash related closures thread here is the best for checking resources for current information. This thread has been rededicated to general discussions, personal travel updates and impacts, etc. Thanks for your cooperation during challenging travel times. / Moderator
================================================== ========
Original post:
The entire British airspace is closed because of the volcanic ash from Iceland, yet there is nothing on aa.com, americanairlines.co.uk or the @AAirwaves twitter feed about rebooking, rescheduling, when the flights are expected to resume etc.
I know it's an American company and these changes won't affect 90% of AA customers (and yes, it's the middle of the night at DFW or wherever the website is managed) but surely this is exactly what Twitter and the web is for - for up-to-date information for passengers affected by this. I'd rather read about this on the @AAirwaves twitter feed than read yet another retweet from someone praising AA.
(Sorry to rant - concerned about making AA87 to ORD on Saturday)
Last edited by JDiver; May 16, 2010 at 10:46 am Reason: restoration and mod note
Apr 15, 2010, 4:25 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern UK
Programs: None since COVID - yet!
Posts: 330
I've just been trying to find out info too... my SO is on AA98 from ORD-LHR which is just showing as delayed by 57mins but no idea if it's going to actually arrive or get diverted!
Apr 15, 2010, 4:31 am
#3
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191
Here is some info from ba.com
Due to a plume of volcanic ash drifting over the UK, there is severe disruption to our operation today.
Please do not go to the airport if your flight is cancelled.
After 11.30am UK time there will be no departures from any British Airways UK airport. Many flights before that time have also been affected.
The decision to cancel has been made for safety reasons and on the direction from Air Traffic Control Service (NATS).
ALL airlines will be affected.
You are advised to check the status of your flight before leaving for the airport.
Please do not go to the airport if your flight is cancelled.
After 11.30am UK time there will be no departures from any British Airways UK airport. Many flights before that time have also been affected.
The decision to cancel has been made for safety reasons and on the direction from Air Traffic Control Service (NATS).
ALL airlines will be affected.
You are advised to check the status of your flight before leaving for the airport.
Apr 15, 2010, 4:43 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern UK
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Posts: 330
Apr 15, 2010, 4:48 am
#5
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Apr 15, 2010, 5:03 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern UK
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Posts: 330
Just called AA and they tell me AA98 is going to land at 1212 - spoke to LHR operations. Watching BBC news live at LHR and nothing landing or taking off as of now.
Apr 15, 2010, 5:04 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boston
Programs: SPG Plat, AA EXP
Posts: 173
ouch i need to get home tomorrow (LHR>BOS). Has anyone seen any info on if this is supposed to "blow out" any time soon?
Apr 15, 2010, 5:19 am
#8
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No idea on when it will blow over but at the moment French airports are fine -- Eurostar to Paris and then CDG->BOS?
Apr 15, 2010, 5:20 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern UK
Programs: None since COVID - yet!
Posts: 330
Current news says UK airspace closed until at least 1800 today, likely to be longer. Hopefully should be clear for tomorrow mornings arrivals to be able to land. If anything there will probably be too many aircraft in the UK because they can't depart this afternoon/evening, not sure how AA will handle this.
Apr 15, 2010, 5:26 am
#10
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Current news says UK airspace closed until at least 1800 today, likely to be longer. Hopefully should be clear for tomorrow mornings arrivals to be able to land. If anything there will probably be too many aircraft in the UK because they can't depart this afternoon/evening, not sure how AA will handle this.
Apr 15, 2010, 5:29 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA/HH/SPG Gold
Posts: 308
OK so AA98 landed at 1203.... close call.
Current news says UK airspace closed until at least 1800 today, likely to be longer. Hopefully should be clear for tomorrow mornings arrivals to be able to land. If anything there will probably be too many aircraft in the UK because they can't depart this afternoon/evening, not sure how AA will handle this.
Current news says UK airspace closed until at least 1800 today, likely to be longer. Hopefully should be clear for tomorrow mornings arrivals to be able to land. If anything there will probably be too many aircraft in the UK because they can't depart this afternoon/evening, not sure how AA will handle this.
Apr 15, 2010, 5:31 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2001
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maybe they'll upgrade the CDG flights today to the 777's that would be sitting around due to cancelled LHR flights.
Apr 15, 2010, 5:37 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
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Only a guess as to why this wasn't on aa.com sooner...., but the news of the ash cloud only came out this morning here in the UK, which would have been the middle of the night in the US, after many of the overnights heading towards LHR would have left, when AA's offices in Dallas would have been closed, etc. etc.
Apr 15, 2010, 5:50 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
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AAgents won't rebook me on canceled flight through LHR
I'm supposed to fly ARN-LHR-RDU tomorrow and the ARN-LHR segment is already canceled. I called AA in Sweden and they have twice told me to call back later because they are not allowed to rebook until they get guidance from AA, which they don't have because they're "not awake yet". I can't believe it... they won't rebook me even though I'm on a canceled flight. If I don't get rebooked soon there will be little hope. FWIW I don't have any kind of status, but I think that the agents should be able to rebook folks on canceled flights.
Anyone have some advice for re-routing?
Anyone have some advice for re-routing?
Apr 15, 2010, 5:57 am
#15
Join Date: May 2008
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Rebooked for tomorrow
I received a text message alert at 5:19am that the JFK-LHR portion of my MIA-JFK-LHR flight had been cancelled and "rebook in progress. will update you shortly." Saw it when I woke up and immediately called AA. Longest hold time ever (+15 minutes). Was told all flights to UK cancelled today due to volcanic ash.
My final destination is DUB, but I had booked the LHR-DUB portion with Aer Lingus. Tried to get a flight to DUB today, but was told the 1 flight from ORD-DUB was full. Was able to get my partner and I booked on MIA-ORD-DUB for tomorrow. Gets me into DUB at 8:30am Saturday, instead of 1:15pm Friday.
Now I just need to cancel my LHR-DUB flight on Aer Lingus for tomorrow. But their US call center doesn't open till 8:30am
My final destination is DUB, but I had booked the LHR-DUB portion with Aer Lingus. Tried to get a flight to DUB today, but was told the 1 flight from ORD-DUB was full. Was able to get my partner and I booked on MIA-ORD-DUB for tomorrow. Gets me into DUB at 8:30am Saturday, instead of 1:15pm Friday.
Now I just need to cancel my LHR-DUB flight on Aer Lingus for tomorrow. But their US call center doesn't open till 8:30am