volcanic ash from Iceland heading towards europe with airports expected to be closed

LookingFor

Good luck with that. According to Twitter people they promptly closed the phone lines at 5pm yesterday as if it were an ordinary day.

What annoys me is that they're even slow to just update their 'disruption' page. They'll put out new advice to the media and RTE etc. but then it's ages before it even appears on their own site! They said yesterday they had teams working round the clock, updating their flight database minute to minute, but that's just BS.

I'm meant to be flying tomorrow with Aer Lingus to London, and the not-knowing is driving me crazy. 24 hours notice would be very handy for my situation.

watna

LookingFor wrote: »

Good luck with that. According to Twitter people they promptly closed the phone lines at 5pm yesterday as if it were an ordinary day.

What annoys me is that they're even slow to just update their 'disruption' page. They'll put out new advice to the media and RTE etc. but then it's ages before it even appears on their own site! They said yesterday they had teams working round the clock, updating their flight database minute to minute, but that's just BS.

I'm meant to be flying tomorrow with Aer Lingus to London, and the not-knowing is driving me crazy. 24 hours notice would be very handy for my situation.

I think 24 hours notice is fair too. Emirates did give about 20 hours notice which is fair but it would help if they would answer their phones somewhere.

I'm hoping the travel agent opens at 9. I'm going to be in there like a shot so I can at least get a flight next weeked (I think that is the first date when their will be seats available)

I also noticed Aer Lingus's lack of updating on their site. It still has it has flights being cancelled until 1pm today when in fact the closure was update to 7pm today - this happened at 2.30am this morning and another announcement was expected at 8.30am so they're quite out of date.

watna

Just to add - an announcement has been added to the NATS site. UK airspace is now closed until at least 1am tomorrow (sunday).

lookingfor - I think you can safely assume that your flight will be cancelled. I suggest getting the ferry. If you take a car there is still space.

Unfortunately, you can't take a ferry to New Zealand!

LookingFor

watna wrote: »

Just to add - an announcement has been added to the NATS site. UK airspace is now closed until at least 1am tomorrow (sunday)

Bububu-t Aer Lingus says they're flying to Heathrow at 1440 today! :pac:

Webmonkey

Oh great...I must move out of Munich...hotel prices are going up to 300 euro night next week because of some festival. I don't think I'd be comfortable in hostel unfort....I'll get parents to transfer money next week.

watna

LookingFor wrote: »

Bububu-t Aer Lingus says they're flying to Heathrow at 1440 today! :pac:

I'll bet they do! My flight is at 5pm today and they've just changed the status to cancelled now.

Webmonkey wrote: »

Oh great...I must move out of Munich...hotel prices are going up to 300 euro night next week because of some festival. I don't think I'd be comfortable in hostel unfort....I'll get parents to transfer money next week.

Oh dear, have you looked in to the train/ferry yet? Could your parents meet you somewhere in a car? My dad was full of plans to drive me to Heathrow if my emirates flight was going but Aer Lingus weren't. I think he's enjoying it a little bit, tbh.

Webmonkey

watna wrote: »

I'll bet they do! My flight is at 5pm today and they've just changed the status to cancelled now.



Oh dear, have you looked in to the train/ferry yet? Could your parents meet you somewhere in a car? My dad was full of plans to drive me to Heathrow if my emirates flight was going but Aer Lingus weren't. I think he's enjoying it a little bit, tbh.

I guess I could but it will still cost fortune travelling Ireland then, and my car is parked in cork airport. It going cost about 150 euro now at this stage I'd say! It been parked since April 03rd!

I think I'll just move out to quite spot and spend a few days holiday here. Might as well enjoy myself. And come back then Thursday or something.

My father working also so doubt he can do much...I'll work it out

On the plus side, I'll miss something I'm dreading next week if this goes on further :pac:

LookingFor

Aer Lingus said something:

9.00 Aer Lingus has confirmed that all UK, European and US flights scheduled to depart Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Belfast, London Heathrow and Gatwick today have been cancelled, including Aer Lingus Regional flights.

Of course, their own website notice still hasn't changed.

And, of course, it appears they're going to leave tomorrow's flights down to the wire again. I'm pretty sure my flight won't go tomorrow yet I can't do anything about it until Aer Lingus cancels...which will probably only be a few hours beforehand.

Webmonkey

I seriously doubt any flights will go tomorrow either tbh.

How will they sort the backlog of people?

LookingFor

Webmonkey wrote: »

I seriously doubt any flights will go tomorrow either tbh.

How will they sort the backlog of people?

If your flight's cancelled you rebook on a later flight or get a refund.

I have doubts they'll put on any extra services once they can resume flights. So basically flights will be jam packed for a while.

This is also why I'd like early notice...so I can make alternative arrangements ASAP.

Does anyone know if a change of flight in these circumstances is entirely free? Or is only the change fee waived? If the latter I'm screwed, cos they seem to be upping their prices on flights next week.

watna

That was me last night. I was just constantly checking to see if my flights had been officially cancelled.

I was speakig to the travel agent yesterday but they couldn't do anything about it until emirates oficially cancelled my flight. Now that emirates have I can't get through to the travel agent. I am hoping it is just because they open at 10am on saturdays.

LookingFor

Your agent may be very busy I'd say it's a bit of boon for them at the moment arranging alternatives for people.

Also what happens to your return flight? If your outbound flight is cancelled I assume you can get a refund on your return too?

watna

LookingFor wrote: »

If your flight's cancelled you rebook on a later flight or get a refund.

I have doubts they'll put on any extra services once they can resume flights. So basically flights will be jam packed for a while.

This is also why I'd like early notice...so I can make alternative arrangements ASAP.

Does anyone know if a change of flight in these circumstances is entirely free? Or is only the change fee waived? If the latter I'm screwed, cos they seem to be upping their prices on flights next week.

I'm pretty sure the fare difference is waived too. There's details on the (crappy) Aer Lingus update.

Webmonkey

Yeah aerlingus allow change, but the next flights are Tuesday and Thursday now. Sure as anything Tuesday will be cancelled as well.

LookingFor

British Airways has cancelled shorthaul flights through to Monday morning at the earliest.

C'mon aer lingus, just cancel my flight...

Webmonkey

LookingFor wrote: »

British Airways has cancelled shorthaul flights through to Monday morning at the earliest.

C'mon aer lingus, just cancel my flight...

Yeah its annoying they won't just say it cancelled. Least Ryan air said no flights until Monday.

I'm sorted accomodation wise anyways, moving To Nurnberg (50 euro train trip) and found hotel for 4 nights for 150 euro. Think I'll just stay here, no point trying to book flights again tomorrow, monday etc as we'll have same story then I'd say.

Mister men

According to an expert on the TV this could go on for another week minimum.:mad:

Webmonkey

Mister men wrote: »

According to an expert on the TV this could go on for another week minimum.:mad:

I'm scheduled back in Munich first week of May so I nearly might as well just stay here if that the case!

watna

I got the last seat on the emirates flight on Wednesday. Otherwise the next one is Sunday, with a 24 hour wait in Dubai.

I have a feeling Wednesday will be a no go as well. If so, I'm going to try cancel my flights and go via the states. I'll just have to get myself to LA or San Fran to get an Air NZ flight.

I'm feeling really upset now but at least I'm at home and don't have to pay for a hotel or anything. Just feel awful though. I've no real idea when I'm going to get home, I've no leave left at work so I won't get paid for and days I miss and I have an assigment due for college that I had to email my supervisor and tell her I have no idea when i will be back to complete and submit it.

FunkZ

Anybody here stuck in Rome?!

Webmonkey

watna wrote: »

I got the last seat on the emirates flight on Wednesday. Otherwise the next one is Sunday, with a 24 hour wait in Dubai.

I have a feeling Wednesday will be a no go as well. If so, I'm going to try cancel my flights and go via the states. I'll just have to get myself to LA or San Fran to get an Air NZ flight.

I'm feeling really upset now but at least I'm at home and don't have to pay for a hotel or anything. Just feel awful though. I've no real idea when I'm going to get home, I've no leave left at work so I won't get paid for and days I miss and I have an assigment due for college that I had to email my supervisor and tell her I have no idea when i will be back to complete and submit it.

Similar problems myself. I've a big presentation in front of a review board next week. I cannot concentrate or prepare here as all my stuff is at home. I'm hoping I"ll just miss it now.

rte.ie wrote:

11.38 Iceland's Meteorological Office has said the winds blowing the cloud to Europe will continue in the same direction for at least two days and could go on until the middle of next week.

Could well miss it alright.

JONJO THE MISER

LazyFingers wrote: »

Anybody here stuck in Rome?!

No but i would say you should do whatever the romans do:D.

crackola

Trying to rebook a transatlantic flight but when i enter the details aer lingus says 'contact the helpdesk' the helpdesk doesnt open at the weekends, any one have any ideas what to do?

watna

ok, sourced my back up plan and I could get to Wellington via NY and LA for €900. That's a lot more than I paid to come over but I'll do it if my emirates flight doesn't go on Wednesday.

drdeadlift

http://eldgos.mila.is/eyjafjallajokull-fra-valahnjuk/

kelle

Deleted User wrote: »

Where are you and what direction were you looking - roughly E-SE I guess.

Did kpatrick delete that post? Here's a photo I took yesterday from my back yard at sunset, facing West - southwest

I've just given up. Have the feeling this will go on for at least another week and I'd rather just accept that I'm going nowhere than have another week waiting for Aer Lingus to cancel so I can rebook, and repeat and repeat and repeat.

aDeener

By all accounts the volcano is still blowing ash, unlike cheryl......

Webmonkey

rte.ie wrote:

13.05 Speaking after the latest meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Evelyn Cusack of Met Éireann said the weather forecast indicates that the current situation with the volcanic ash cloud may remain unchanged up to the end of next week.

She said their latest forecast models indicate no change until next Friday at the earliest.

Oh dear

selekta

kelle wrote: »

Did kpatrick delete that post? Here's a photo I took yesterday from my back yard at sunset, facing West - southwest

Interestingly, I took one last evening as well…

LookingFor

NATS has extended the UK ban til 0700 tomorrow at earliest.

Unsurprising - the latest advisory from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre is quite bad.

Webmonkey

I've accepted that Tuesday will probably be the same story so rebooked flight for Thursday. My flight only goes 3 days a week New eruptions...can't see this going away for a long time to be honest.

LookingFor

Irish airspace ban extended to 1pm tomorrow. Next revision at 11am tomorrow.

Again, not surprised...the forecasts are bad right now!

Webmonkey

LookingFor wrote: »

Irish airspace ban extended to 1pm tomorrow. Next revision at 11am tomorrow.

Again, not surprised...the forecasts are bad right now!

We should all get trains and meet up and have a Stranded in Europe Boards Beers

AdrianII

im travelling in three weeks time.
Is there reason for me to be concerned or will it have blown over by then???

sdanseo

Bet they wish they'd built that tunnel from dublin to holyhead in like 1890 now, dont they!

HyperSkypeWiper

drdeadlift wrote: »

http://eldgos.mila.is/eyjafjallajokull-fra-valahnjuk/

Nice, cheers for that

AdrianII

AdrianII wrote: »

im travelling in three weeks time.
Is there reason for me to be concerned or will it have blown over by then???

Unless there is another major eruption, it should be mostly gone by then.

Webmonkey

If the sister one erupts we screwed

drdeadlift

selekta wrote: »

Interestingly, I took one last evening as well…

was that pic taken from the north dub area?

robinph

Deleted User wrote: »

Unless there is another major eruption, it should be mostly gone by then.

Another one?

It is still spewing ash and has been constantly since whenever it started on Wednesday. Ignoring the mini eruption back in March, the last time that volcanoe went up it lasted for two years, it didn't disrupt air travel that time though.

force eleven

cactus mac88 wrote: »

Is it too early to make Iceland jokes? Or should we wait till the dust has settled!


*Grabs Coat*

Don't think we'll erupt with laughter at that one....

RustyNut

AdrianII wrote: »

im travelling in three weeks time.
Is there reason for me to be concerned or will it have blown over by then???

I'm stuck in Amsterdam I hope it wont blow over before the money runs out anyway :D:D

robinph

robinph wrote: »

Another one?

It is still spewing ash and has been constantly since whenever it started on Wednesday. Ignoring the mini eruption back in March, the last time that volcanoe went up it lasted for two years, it didn't disrupt air travel that time though.

A small eruption will only result in the ash going into the lower atmosphere and being "rained out" fairly close to the volcano, a major one like last weeks put the ash much higher up and therefore it's been caught in the upper atmosphere and spreads much further before dropping.

Chances are that in previous eruptions the ash went north and avoided European airports, so we didn't notice the disruptions. Trans atlantic flights would have had to have used an alternative route though.

Webmonkey

I don't think there were planes when it last erupted

Webmonkey

Webmonkey wrote: »

I don't think there were planes when it last erupted

:D
Perhaps I should rephrase that... In previous eruptions at other volcanos in Iceland!

Misty Chaos

Is it sort of disturbing that I keep on thinking of this in context of this event?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqJ8hFgYwVg

Even more freaky when you take into Account that Sigur Ros are Icelandic as well!

Seifer

Deleted User wrote: »

A small eruption will only result in the ash going into the lower atmosphere and being "rained out" fairly close to the volcano, a major one like last weeks put the ash much higher up and therefore it's been caught in the upper atmosphere and spreads much further before dropping.

I don't think you get that it is still erupting. It's not just an instantaneous explosion. And they have no way of predicting when it is going to stop.

Figuramatyi

Seifer wrote: »

I don't think you get that it is still erupting. It's not just an instantaneous explosion. And they have no way of predicting when it is going to stop.

This.
If you check the webcams, there is no sign of reduced activity.
I'm a Hungarian working in Galway, just travelled home 2 weeks ago for holiday, it would be over tomorrow - my flight back is already cancelled.
Good thing is, I can work from home and I have my laptop with me... question is when I will have a chance to fly back?
Trains/ferry would not be an option from this distance even IF they were not already 200% overbooked.
So, I'm stranded. Eating my mom's food :P and in much, much better weather too.... thanks, dear Volcano

robinph

There is a lot of volcanoes in Iceland, but from a quick glance at a few of the pages here the recent eruptions of any of them seem to be under water, under a glacier or not particularly explosive.