Theoretically speaking, if you were stuck at Heathrow...
Apr 29, 2019, 4:48 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: HAM
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, LH FTL, IHG Diamond
Posts: 299
Due to snow in Heathrow my last flight back home to Hamburg was canceled. As this was not the only flight canceled it was mayhem in T5 with queues going through the entire terminal.
My friend and I queued in the 1st wing to get rebooked which was finally done at around 11 pm.
They also offered hotel vouchers but the line for the busses and taxis outside stretched also down the entire terminal.
Since we were on the first flight out in the morning it would meant we would have had only 4 hours of sleep in the hotel or so.
We eventually just stayed in the terminal with some drinks (although all shops almost sold out completely).
the fight for power
My friend and I queued in the 1st wing to get rebooked which was finally done at around 11 pm.
They also offered hotel vouchers but the line for the busses and taxis outside stretched also down the entire terminal.
Since we were on the first flight out in the morning it would meant we would have had only 4 hours of sleep in the hotel or so.
We eventually just stayed in the terminal with some drinks (although all shops almost sold out completely).
the fight for power
Apr 29, 2019, 4:53 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: MAN
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 351
On the occasions where my flight was cancelled/delayed overnight, I make a booking with my preferred hotel (<£200 per night) and then claim back from BA. No queuing and no hanging around waiting in the terminal than absolutely necessary.
Apr 29, 2019, 4:57 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: HAM
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, LH FTL, IHG Diamond
Posts: 299
Does this work in weather related scenarios as well?
Apr 29, 2019, 5:01 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
Thanks, folks. It was theoretical. We are heading to Gatwick and it was not BAs fault. My daughter was just curious.
She did make a good point though: the lounges can't possibly stay open all night in these circumstances because all the alcahol would be gone in the morning. That's my girl
She did make a good point though: the lounges can't possibly stay open all night in these circumstances because all the alcahol would be gone in the morning. That's my girl
Apr 29, 2019, 5:06 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
TK lounge in IST stays open 24/7 and yes - I sometimes see folks boozing at 5 am (after arriving from BKK and waiting for my connecting flight) - there is plenty of booze in the lounge, though...
Apr 29, 2019, 5:25 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,021
This happened to a colleague; what was meant to be a short connection turned into an overnight stop. He said he was herded, along with another 20 or so people with no paperwork to enter the UK, to a specific part of the terminal (airside) where they were told to make themselves as comfortable as they could until morning.
Apr 29, 2019, 6:25 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: US Gold
Posts: 627
wg
Apr 29, 2019, 6:50 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,379
There’s actually a lot of people sleep in T5 arrivals mostly on the Costa Seats, backpackers and the homeless the latter who arrive from central London around 2am and depart at 5.30am on the N9 night us which is a typical 75-90 minute journey each way.
Apr 29, 2019, 7:11 am
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Best regulation ever implemented in my opinion.
AF were very good at taking care of us by putting us up in a room on the AF floor of the CDG Sofitel after connecting too late for the EZE flight on each of the three occasions it happened. I did once stay overnight in Venice or Milan train station to catch an early train when I was a skint young backpacker and vowed never again.
AF were very good at taking care of us by putting us up in a room on the AF floor of the CDG Sofitel after connecting too late for the EZE flight on each of the three occasions it happened. I did once stay overnight in Venice or Milan train station to catch an early train when I was a skint young backpacker and vowed never again.
Apr 29, 2019, 7:24 am
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 4,783
There is security scan of all 3 buildings after the departure of the last flight, and every so often someone will need some guidance about what to do next - there can be language difficulties involved if someone was on a cancelled service. Only a deliberately uncomfortable section of landside Arrivals is kept open 24 hours a day.
Apr 29, 2019, 7:41 am
#29
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
Apr 29, 2019, 1:32 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: BA GGL, UA Lifetime Gold, (Fond memories of) SPG Lifetime Plat
Posts: 239
Plenty of people sleeping in airports around the world. I've had to do it a few times (thankfully not in the recent past) when a very late arrival and early connection meant a hotel was pointless. American Airlines at T4 in LAX even provide camp beds and blankets. The lucky few can then head off to the rather fine Qantas first class lounge in TBT for breakfast - assuming any Emeralds would be camping out in the first place :-)