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Original poster

Air Traffic Control Airport Misery

157 replies

LongDarkTeatime · 28/08/2023 23:51

Is anyone else sitting at home after having their holiday cancelled today?
We haven’t had a ‘proper’ holiday in 6 years and we’re so looking forward to going away. Waited all day at the airport just to be cancelled just after the plane that was supposed to take us landed. So disappointed.
Well done to everyone who managed today with young kids. All the families around us coped so well.

OP posts:
Awittyfool · 29/08/2023 06:16

@Dibblydoodahdah
I’ve been looking at the live updates on EasyJet’s page. You can input Gatwick and destination and it shows you all flights today and in 2 days time.

Currently the first flight out for DS’s destination is showing cancelled, Next flight delayed by 40 mins following one by an hour. The next two have not been updated.

DS is booked in the last flight which are ALWAYS delayed anyway. Unfortunately he doesn’t listen to his mum so he’d probably miss his connection even without this.

WinterDeWinter · 29/08/2023 06:27

Oh thank you @Dibblydoodahdah i will go and have a look and keep my fingers crossed!

MendedDrum · 29/08/2023 06:53

I have the opposite - stuck abroad. I'm travelling for work so DH and DS are at home. I miss them but think on balance is easier to handle as a solo traveller, I really feel for anyone trying to juggle this with kids as well!

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Flying Holidays
Honeylemonandginger · 29/08/2023 07:18

Apparently not .

Plump82 · 29/08/2023 07:27

I'm in Barcelona. Don't fly home till Saturday so I hope it's all sorted by then. Bit of a worry.

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 29/08/2023 07:34

Im really sorry to read this OP, it sucks.

I'm stuck abroad with two DC. Last nights flight was cancelled yesterday morning.

I'm on a package holiday with EasyJet. They've rebooked my flight for Wednesday night into Scotland. I need to get to my car at Manchester airport. No idea how I'm going to do this at 1.20am.

We were told to go to the airport on the transfer bus to be allocated accommodation. No staff at airport when we arrived. We were given a leaflet by local staff and told to arrange our own accommodation.

I've booked two nights in an apartment near the airport, no idea if EasyJet will pay and i'm really worried about getting back from Scotland in the middle of the night.

Does anyone work in insurance? I've never made an insurance claim before... can I hire a car and claim it back?

I'm also really worried about how much I'm going to be charged for overstaying in the airport car park.

StillWantingADog · 29/08/2023 07:43

@PatChaunceysFruitCake

by all means call your insurance but I suspect they will say that you need to claim the car hire cost from Easyjet

we had a similar situation once with Easyjet, cancelled flight due to atc issues and then ended up on a flight to the wrong airport and hiring a car. They did eventually pay up, and for the extra hotels as well.
you won’t be able to hire a car at 1am though. In your shoes I’d look at a train to Manchester airport.

good luck it’s shit.

Swearwolf · 29/08/2023 07:46

I'm so sorry this happened to you, that's gutting! I'd be tempted to try and re-book for October half term if possible. We're away at the moment and hearing all about the knock-on effect of all the cancelled flights, and I'm a bit worried about getting home.

LoudSnoringDog · 29/08/2023 07:46

We are supposed to be flying to Ibiza tomorrow with TUI (package ). No communication at all yet so just hoping there’s no cancellation

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 29/08/2023 07:48

Thanks @StillWantingADog, that's reassuring.

I'd be happier on a train but the first one doesn't leave until 6am and I will have to find a taxi that can take me to the station as the trams don't start until after 6am.

I've got an executive account (through work) with a car hire company who will get me a car for 2am so I don't know if I should just do that or wait and see if there are further instructions from EasyJet.

Sorry for hijacking your thread OP. I just really want to be home.

StillWantingADog · 29/08/2023 07:50

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 29/08/2023 07:48

Thanks @StillWantingADog, that's reassuring.

I'd be happier on a train but the first one doesn't leave until 6am and I will have to find a taxi that can take me to the station as the trams don't start until after 6am.

I've got an executive account (through work) with a car hire company who will get me a car for 2am so I don't know if I should just do that or wait and see if there are further instructions from EasyJet.

Sorry for hijacking your thread OP. I just really want to be home.

ah if you have ways and means to get a car do that. Do NOT wait until you get word from Easyjet. It’ll never come and even if they wanted to help you out there’ll be literally thousands of people in the queue right now

tensmum1964 · 29/08/2023 07:55

Thus is awful. We are due to fly on a package trip with Jet2 on Thursday morning. Our first holiday in four years. I'm praying that things will be sorted by then.

TheaBrandt · 29/08/2023 07:56

Spend what you need to and keep receipts. They do pay it back - eventually.

Flew back yesterday no delays arrived at airport it was like lockdown no planes arriving or leaving - except ours for some reason. Feel very lucky.

Was126orbustandmaybebust · 29/08/2023 08:01

I'm so stressed as I'm due to fly this afternoon. My Dad is having an operation and he is my Mum's carer. If I cannot get there he can't have it - there's no-one else to help.
Been awake since 5am and feeling sick with worry.

Liveinleggings · 29/08/2023 08:03

Stuck in Germany, we were supposed to fly home last night. Getting a train to a city 5 hours away to catch a plane tomorrow as flights are like gold dust. What a mess. Cost us a fortune so far, airline will be getting a big bill from me.

crumblylancs · 29/08/2023 08:04

I feel so much for the people having their holidays cancelled, especially with excited kids who don't understand properly!

We're due out this afternoon with flights either side of us cancelled, so we're lucky at the moment. Just hoping it stays that way because I don't fancy telling my DS he wont be going

Franxxx · 29/08/2023 08:08

LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 00:20

*just remembered travel insurance … off to check if kennels/carpttery are covered 👍

That’s such a shame. How ecstatic must your cat and dog have been when you pulled up to collect them after a few hours though 😅

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 29/08/2023 08:17

Was126orbustandmaybebust · 29/08/2023 08:01

I'm so stressed as I'm due to fly this afternoon. My Dad is having an operation and he is my Mum's carer. If I cannot get there he can't have it - there's no-one else to help.
Been awake since 5am and feeling sick with worry.

If it helps at all we were told our 10pm flight was cancelled by 11am yesterday. I think they'd already know if yours wasn't going.

When we were stuck at the airport last night there were loads of UK flights taking off and landing so hopefully yours will be one of them.

Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

functionoverform · 29/08/2023 08:19

For those stuck at a different airport, I know that LNER are offering free standard class train travel, so hopefully other train companies are too. All you do is show your flight tickets and they will issue you a ticket to travel.

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 29/08/2023 08:21

@StillWantingADog, you're telling me what I need to hear. After last night's accommodation fiasco I'm not sure why I haven't quite grasped that we are on our own here.

You are right, the 'we will make arrangements to get you to your airport' stuff is just standard wording. There won't be any plan when we arrive in Scotland and no staff to deal with it.

StillWantingADog · 29/08/2023 08:32

@PatChaunceysFruitCake
def not, especially at 2am

huggiess · 29/08/2023 08:40

Does anyone know if I pay to get on another flight whether with the same airline or not then the airline will reimburse me ?

StillWantingADog · 29/08/2023 08:45

huggiess · 29/08/2023 08:40

Does anyone know if I pay to get on another flight whether with the same airline or not then the airline will reimburse me ?

They should yes but whether they will or not is another matter sadly

Was126orbustandmaybebust · 29/08/2023 08:48

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 29/08/2023 08:17

If it helps at all we were told our 10pm flight was cancelled by 11am yesterday. I think they'd already know if yours wasn't going.

When we were stuck at the airport last night there were loads of UK flights taking off and landing so hopefully yours will be one of them.

Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Show quote history

Thank you so much @PatChaunceysFruitCake
Feeling a bit tearful at your kindness x

Poivresel · 29/08/2023 08:49

I was due to fly to the UK yesterday. The chaos began as I arrived at the airport.
I was very impressed with Ryanair, they cancelled our flight quickly and due to dh being on the ball we were first at the airline desk where the brilliant staff rebooked me for Wednesday with no problems.