corporate-wage-slave

I suspect they will pay that, so long as it's below Ł200. If they do push back then you could MCOL / CEDR it with a high chance of success.

PUCCI GALORE

I could not agree with you more. I do recall a similar incident in December 2006 - in face that same day a Tornado touched down in North London. LHR was in chaos. What happens was that everything runs slow as they reduce the number of landings and take offs. As often happens this starts to escalate because the aircraft land late - they leave late and the crews which are scheduled to operate a further sector are not in position as they are stuck out at turn around points. I can well imagine that this had taken some time to filter and there are always some flights which are hit harder than others. I cannot see BA paying a penny in compensation and frankly I do not blame them. That they reimburse people for accommodation due to missed connections or cancellations at the last minute is another matter. I would imagine that the hotels near LHR would have filled to capacity with all the passengers from all the airlines. Frankly anyone who got in or managed to leave on Friday did well - many did not.

What no one has mentioned - and I will stand correction on this - is that not one person was actually hurt or was there a serious incident. When I saw that TAP aircraft float and decide to get the hell out to ORY, I did not blame him. One of my most terrifying flights ever was as a passenger on an Air Inter Caravelle on approach into ORY from Mulhouse in a very powerful thunderstorm.We went around at Orly as close to the ground we hit massive amounts of rain and we could all feel the aircraft being pulled down. I do not know how else to describe it. I am not giving to screaming but many others did as I think that we allthought that our last hour had come. We came back and landed without incident. Compensation did not enter into my thinking as I was extremely glad to land and , in spite of the rain which came back to greet us running in to the terminal, and get to somewhere and change my knickers. I had done some landings at BCAL but this was something else.

So frankly I am far from surprised that there have been cancellations and major inconveniences to many , and you have my sympathy with this - but you are all here reading this, thank God. I do not hold out much chance for the beginning of the week either as tonight is supposed to have high winds. I suppose that the next thing is that the UK will be under feet of snow! Roll on spring.

G_CIVV

Luckily I am not affected but for future reference, in a situation like today, where both afternoon LHR-NCL services have been cancelled, is there an allowance to be rebooked on LNER? And what is the mechanism for this in terms of arranging the train ticket?

corporate-wage-slave

Contact centres do have the ability to rebook onto LNER, LNER is one of those companies that uses a ticketing process that can translate to a rail ticket. There isn't an absolute right to transfer to LNER when self organised, but BA have paid this when there are few vialble alternatives.

AleTrail

Me and Mrs are on one of the cancelled LHR-NCL flights this afternoon. Only found out checking phone on the Piccadilly line to T5. Will see what the First Wing can do for us.

mad_rich

Thanks. Only Ł99 on the hotel, and Ł40 on transport and food, which I think is reasonable.

I didn't know BA could rebook onto LNER. Although right now I suspect there's no chance of getting through to anyone at BA to do it. Ł200 for the cheapest ticket on LNER.

The current BA advice is 'don't come to the airport. Head home or to your destination and fill in a baggage report', which implies 'Sort yourself out and sort it out with us later' seems the best approach.

I wonder if I'll ever see my baggage again...

G_CIVV

Please report back on how you get on - it seems like the whole T5 operation has crumbled this weekend.

DocS

We were booked on the 2000 BA 1494 LHR GLA that has been cancelled along with all others today from Heathrow… No email to tell us just happened to notice this morning. Have managed to get on the only LCY GLA 8730 at the same time and (so far) still operating. But not able to check in and not ticketed… Is this normal or are we potentially not actually on the flight? Paid for J and both BA gold FWIW (!)

Thanks in advance

DaveS

I came in on the early flight from VIE to T3. They managed to get us on the ground 5 minutes ahead of schedule despite the headwind. However we were parked at a remote stand and then sat there for well over an hour because they could not find someone to move the stairs the few metres from where they were parked. The crew wee very good (and frustrated). They were due to operate another service, so knock on consequences there. The captain invited the children up front for selfies in his seat, so my daughter was happy at least. In T3 there were many piles of delayed luggage in the hall. Not a great start to the day, but I was happy not to be there in the previous days.

corporate-wage-slave

I will just put the BA.com notice here, for future reference. It's notable that calling the contact centres isn't being encouraged.

AleTrail

in FirstWing now. BA are not rebooking anyone.
Lady walking round advising pax that because it’s because of the impending storm tonight that it’s not BAs fault and they will not pay for hotels.

A chap put her right in front of 2 distraught young girls who hadn’t a clue what to do.

anyway I’ve booked train home tomorrow because of engineering works today. Cheap hotel at Ł130 for 2 GCHs on this booking. Another day in London then.

BA Shambles.

KARFA

This is utter BS, it is not because of the storm, and instead because BA don't have enough staff and can't turn around the aircraft. Now I wouldn't bother arguing with the stupid BA agent on the reason, but the lie of not paying for hotels is unforgivable since they are duty bound to do so regardless of the reason.

If I were you I would have told the chap and his two daughters to book a hotel and claim back later.

I would also add if you can rebook on MMB for a flight tomorrow do it now, domestic flights are looking very full now and if you leave it any longer you may not have any options.

AleTrail

Unfortunately my MMB for this booking already had 2 previous cancellations on it (covid) so directs me to call centre. Call the Gold Line and a recording says they can’t accept calls at the moment.

Tack

Exactly. Flying OPO-LHR 19Feb scheduled for 1950 and the OPO staff was nice but, like all contract staff, clueless. When BA finally did cancel, I was on with a call center in a matter of minutes and had my LHR-LAX connection rebooked before OPO had food vouchers handed out. Going thru LHR today, all the customer service desks were jammed and I didn’t see many on the phone. I’m a big believer in call centers. In this regard BA didn’t disappoint.


Edit: My call was routed to India, and while reissuing tickets for that call center can be challenging, they succeeded.

Tack

Again spot on. Most of their continuing mess is a staffing issue. The fact that they sent me a text basically saying unloading of my baggage was not going to happen on arrival in LHR for “operational constraints” and to make a claim is s@&t. Even AA and it’s crap ramp service make an effort.