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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I change the date of our return flight?

26 replies

SpicyEnchiladas · 31/10/2020 19:41

This afternoon’s speech has really messed my day! We’re currently abroad visiting my parents after a full year of FaceTiming only. Our return flight is on the 8th November. Do you think we should call the airline to change the date for a sooner one as we don’t want to be stuck here for weeks!!! Unfortunately, my mum is going through a terribly difficult time both physically and emotionally and she will be devastated to hear that we will go back before the 8th. Please advise me.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpicyEnchiladas · 31/10/2020 20:14

.

OP posts:
Star81 · 31/10/2020 20:16

Sorry, I don’t follow. Why do you think you would be stuck there for weeks ?

Hangingwithmygnomies · 31/10/2020 20:16

Which airline are you due to fly with/where are you coming from?

HeddaGarbled · 31/10/2020 20:18

I wouldn’t.

Titsywoo · 31/10/2020 20:20

I'm not sure what the situation is to be honest! International travel will be banned but if you can get home is another story. Best to call the airline I would think.

HelpMeh · 31/10/2020 20:21

No, they've said people abroad will be able to travel home. You'll just go straight into lockdown/isolation when you get back.

Original poster
SpicyEnchiladas · 31/10/2020 20:21

I’m thinking we’d be stuck as that’s what happened to people during the first lockdown.
We’re in Doha and we’re flying with Qatar airways.

OP posts:
HelpMeh · 31/10/2020 20:22

International travel is not banned. It might not be recommended but it isnt banned.

Lemonsyellow · 31/10/2020 20:23

They haven’t banned international travel, and they won’t. I’d stick to your original date.

Original poster
SpicyEnchiladas · 31/10/2020 20:24

I knew about the self isolation and I’ve arranged for food deliveries prior to our outbound flight.
I rang the airline and all what they said is that the flight is still having the green light so far. Nothing else. So far!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
SpicyEnchiladas · 31/10/2020 20:25

Thank you. I’ve been so anxious since then! I wish his speeches were a lot more specific than the usual generic crap that he keeps on spitting every time. I don’t think he realises the impact it has on normal people.

OP posts:
Titsywoo · 31/10/2020 20:27

@HelpMeh

International travel is not banned. It might not be recommended but it isnt banned.
I'm pretty sure they have apart from work - see my link
VaggieMight · 31/10/2020 20:29

Outbound international travel is banned unless for work. Which makes no sense in trying to control the virus here, but you should be ok to travel home.

Lemonsyellow · 31/10/2020 20:34

That Independent article indicates that holiday travel is banned, though the OP is fine to come home. That is not what I had understood, and I think I’m wrong. It’s more severe than I realised.

notimagain · 31/10/2020 20:36

The possible risk I can see is that the proposed ban on outbound international travel is going to cause passenger loads, which are poor anyway, to drop off even more ex-U.K. That in turn might well cause airlines to reschedule flights or even not operate services at all.

Best I can suggest is try contacting the airline, but having been in a similar unpleasant position in the Spring (overseas, working, when flights began to be cancelled en-mass) I would seriously be investigating at the very least the cost of rebooking an early return.

notimagain · 31/10/2020 20:44

The risk is that restricting/limiting outbound international travel is going to cause passenger loads, which are poor anyway, to drop off even more ex-U.K.

There is then a risk that airlines might reschedule flights or even not operate services that touch the UK.. The upside is that Qatar seem to have tried to keep a lot of their long haul services going throughout all this........

Having been in a similar unpleasant position in the Spring (overseas, working in an aviation related job, when flights began to be cancelled en-mass) I would ring the airline and I would be investigating the cost/possibility of returning early.

notimagain · 31/10/2020 20:45

Sorry, for double post...Blush

Goingtogetflamed · 31/10/2020 20:47

Maybe you could have avoided the situation by not travelling in the first place. I realise that’s not what you asked but lots of people have spent lockdown and longer seeing loved ones by FaceTime only. It’s a sacrifice lots of people are making.

LIZS · 31/10/2020 20:53

Don't you have to test and/or si on return anyway?

InTheLongGrass · 31/10/2020 21:00

My understanding is outbound travel is restricted to work only, but you should be able to return as normal.
Hopefully Qatar will continue to fly the route to bring their nationals currently in the UK home.
I hope your Mum benefited from your visit, and will be strong enough to get through tte next few months with electronic communication.

Original poster
SpicyEnchiladas · 31/10/2020 21:07

Thank you everyone and a special thanks for you @notimagain for taking the time to write your detailed post twice. I really appreciate it.

@Goingtogetflamed I just hope that your parents and loved ones don’t go through what my parents went through last year alone, in a country with no family or relatives.

@LIZS that’s correct.

OP posts:
whoareyouIwonder · 31/10/2020 21:08

@Goingtogetflamed

Really helpful that Confused

notimagain · 31/10/2020 21:11

Thank you everyone and a special thanks for you @notimagain for taking the time to write your detailed post twice. I really appreciate it.

You're very gracious..I would have liked to have been able to blame the MN server for stuff up but it was finger trouble, all of it mine..BlushBlush

Hope it all works out for you.

keepgoingorstop · 31/10/2020 21:14

Maybe you could have avoided the situation by not travelling in the first place. I realise that’s not what you asked but lots of people have spent lockdown and longer seeing loved ones by FaceTime only. It’s a sacrifice lots of people are making.

No it's not what the OP asked, so she's not interested in your opinion, I'm sure.

OP, I think you'll be fine, safe journey home and well done on the grocery booking.