Dec 20, 2018, 5:24 am
Last edit by: Canarsie
Travelling to of from London Gatwick 21 December 2018
All LGW services operated on Friday with 2 exceptions (BA2758/0 to AMS and back; BA2938/9 EDI and back). Many flights were heavily delayed.
List of inbound BA diversions from latest closure is in post 463
Incomplete list of inbound cancellations for Friday 21 December is here in post 298.
Current customer guidelines in this post 344 (you can rebook free of charge to 5 January and reroute via LHR/LCY). Try rebooking via the App if you can, otherwise you need to telephone BA.
Background
Gatwick Airport was closed at 21:03 on Wednesday 19 December following reports of drones flying over the airfield. Sightings have continued throughout Thursday 20 December requiring the airport to remain closed. Gatwick Airport advising all passengers to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. Gatwick airport was further closed on Friday 21 December from 17:00 until 18:25 at which time normal operations resumed after suspected drone sightings.
Previous updates
Current list of cancelled and diverted services
Post 96 and Post 132 and Post 184
All LGW services operated on Friday with 2 exceptions (BA2758/0 to AMS and back; BA2938/9 EDI and back). Many flights were heavily delayed.
List of inbound BA diversions from latest closure is in post 463
Incomplete list of inbound cancellations for Friday 21 December is here in post 298.
Current customer guidelines in this post 344 (you can rebook free of charge to 5 January and reroute via LHR/LCY). Try rebooking via the App if you can, otherwise you need to telephone BA.
Background
Gatwick Airport was closed at 21:03 on Wednesday 19 December following reports of drones flying over the airfield. Sightings have continued throughout Thursday 20 December requiring the airport to remain closed. Gatwick Airport advising all passengers to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. Gatwick airport was further closed on Friday 21 December from 17:00 until 18:25 at which time normal operations resumed after suspected drone sightings.
Previous updates
Current list of cancelled and diverted services
Post 96 and Post 132 and Post 184
LGW closed due to drone activity
Dec 20, 2018, 7:51 am
#227
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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The trade policy has just changed to include bookings for tomorrow and now a different agent told me I have to get the ticket changed at the ticket agency. This is BA at their worst again. Obviously they can't do anything about the drones, but they can put policies in place to help rather than hinder their customers.
Dec 20, 2018, 7:59 am
#228
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ARN
Programs: Bit of this, bit of that
Posts: 454
According to FR24 BY163 (Tui Fly) from LGK Langkawi which isnt due in until 23.10 tonight is already diverted to BOJ (Burgas Bulgaria)
If thats accurate then it seems they arent planning on this being resolved anytime soon.
Flights cancelled all the way up until curfew now as well and into tomorrow already (sorry if already mentioned)
If thats accurate then it seems they arent planning on this being resolved anytime soon.
Flights cancelled all the way up until curfew now as well and into tomorrow already (sorry if already mentioned)
Dec 20, 2018, 8:00 am
#229
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: LHR & JER
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 253
Not that this bears giving too much thought to but given that this now seems to be a sustain disruption attack it makes me wonder why LGW has been targeted rather than LHR? Does LHR have better facilities for countering this?
Dec 20, 2018, 8:02 am
#230
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Dec 20, 2018, 8:04 am
#231
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,648
it wouldn’t surprise me if there is a demand/threat of further action at the end of this event.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:04 am
#232
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 62
Help getting to Florida!
I was booked on the Tampa flight today (5 of us travelling, 4 on BA Miles and 1 cash in 3 bookings just to complicate matters!). BA have only offered us a flight via Miami to Tampa (from LHR) on 23rd (3 days time).
Looks like there is availability on Aer Lingus to Miami tomorrow (via DUB) but agent refuses to book us on that flight.
Anybody have any ideas or guidance? - We are happy to terminate anywhere in Florida and drive the rest of the way, just dont want to wait until 23rd.
Looks like there is availability on Aer Lingus to Miami tomorrow (via DUB) but agent refuses to book us on that flight.
Anybody have any ideas or guidance? - We are happy to terminate anywhere in Florida and drive the rest of the way, just dont want to wait until 23rd.
Last edited by travellingowl; Dec 20, 2018 at 8:05 am Reason: typo
Dec 20, 2018, 8:07 am
#234
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
Well, that is the travel agent's job, they are there to help you in these situations and should make it easier, not more difficult (unless we're talking about online travel agencies, and you know how that goes). Still if you are within 24 hours of travel my understanding is that the airline can take over a booking, though I'm slightly unclear when you would be travelling.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:07 am
#235
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec Club Bronze, Hilton Diamond, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 1,257
Suspect it is more likely because LGW is in a more isolated & rural location with plenty of fields and countryside around with hiding places for the perpetrators.
Whereas LHR is basically hemmed in by urban development and busy roads.
Whereas LHR is basically hemmed in by urban development and busy roads.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:14 am
#237
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Because it's a large party then I can see the issue. But did you try routing via New York instead? Strictly speaking you are only allowed one involuntary change but if you go for 23 December and then something opens up (they may change aircraft type for example) then you can ask them to give you an earlier flight.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:16 am
#239
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 62
Because it's a large party then I can see the issue. But did you try routing via New York instead? Strictly speaking you are only allowed one involuntary change but if you go for 23 December and then something opens up (they may change aircraft type for example) then you can ask them to give you an earlier flight.
Agent just trying that now (NYC) but doesnt look like they have availability.
Have also suggested putting us into ATL and we can drive but thats not available either