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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think I’m never leaving Manchester airport…

53 replies

Minimili · 21/06/2024 10:49

We were supposed to go to Tenerife on my birthday for my 40th birthday present. I’ve been so excited for months.
we got to airport super early with flight leaving yesterday evening. We went to the tunnel to board and after 40 minutes standing around wondering what was happening we were herded back into the airport like sheep.

I asked airline staff if I had time to go to the shop before the plane took off and was told “yes if you RUN!”
I asked airline staff when we would be taking off and begged a man to be honest, he promised me 20 minutes.

Staff in shops refused to serve us wine suspecting we would take it on board, in the end I got frustrated in duty free saying it was my birthday, I’m terrified of flying and was supposed to take off over an hour ago. She let me have the wine, we took it back to waiting area at the gate to covertly drink it.
No staff were there to be bothered but other passengers however eyed it like it was liquid gold and I felt guilty for not taking orders from the shop! No one wanted to risk missing the flight in case they went to the shop… if only we’d known.

Three hours later the wine drunk, no one knows what going on (staff or passengers) we get an email from TUI saying flight is cancelled. We get put up in different hotels, luckily we got the holiday inn so still technically not left airport but some poor people get farmed out after waiting another few hours for transport.

We had a nice meal and get told flight leaving at 9am the next day. Too scared to sleep in case anything changes so go back to airport after breakfast. The people from other hotels get picked up at 5am, we at least get to go later as close to airport, good job because flight gets changed to 10am.

Get to the airport at 8 and PROMISED flight will be leaving at 10, 9am comes and we get given £20 each to spend in the airport - but nowhere accepts it except WH Smith - and only on snacks and drinks. £40 seemed like a lot but gets you surprisingly little!

We have become a family of exhausted people identifiable by walking round with bags of crisps and sweets, every time an announcement comes over the tannoy we freeze in hope… it’s never our flight.

The latest text from tui says Our apologies for the delay to your flight. Your new departure time will be . In order to operate your flight today we have had to source a new aircraft. Unfortunately this has caused an additional delay.

So yet again we didn’t even get a time! And I’m wondering if they are building the aircraft from scratch.

The flight isn’t showing as existing on any flight tracker apps and I’m convinced that we are just being gaslighted and there isn’t actually a plane for us.

AIBU for thinking that I’m destined to remain in the airport forever

OP posts:
NinaPersson · 21/06/2024 10:53

Oh gosh that sounds stressful 😢 hope you get a flight soon

Star81 · 21/06/2024 10:55

Did they not move any passengers onto the early morning flight today ?

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 21/06/2024 11:00

I’d be booking a couple of seats on this and deal with the rest later… unless they have your luggage…

AIBU to think I’m never leaving Manchester airport…
YaWeeFurryBastard · 21/06/2024 11:05

OP if it helps I can see that they have moved a TUI plane from Birmingham to Manchester that’s scheduled to operate your flight and that plane has landed in Manchester, so theoretically there is an aircraft there that should be able to take you shortly.

YaWeeFurryBastard · 21/06/2024 11:07

I assume this is your flight? I hope you get going soon.

AIBU to think I’m never leaving Manchester airport…
YaWeeFurryBastard · 21/06/2024 11:09

And here you can see the movements of the plane that’s planned to take you, I.e. that it has been moved from Birmingham and is now in Manchester, I hope this gives you some reassurance.

AIBU to think I’m never leaving Manchester airport…
CaptainCrocs · 21/06/2024 11:12

Gosh sounds like a nightmare. If you do finally get there you can enjoy the holiday that bit more. We once got delayed from 6am departure and it kept being pushed back but we did eventually take off about 9pm much to our relief and amazement as we didn’t think it would happen. Still enjoyed the holiday and got such a substantial amount of compensation from TUI that it made it a very cheap holiday and almost worth the stress!

theonlygirl · 21/06/2024 11:30

There's really no positives here but, last time we were delayed with TUI for a long time, I think it has to be over 4 hours, we got a lot of money back. Get on the TUI app and put your claim in, it's probably timelimited so don't delay.

Minimili · 21/06/2024 17:04

We are here!!!!

It was the plane they “sourced” from Birmingham that brought us.

We have all just landed in Tenerife with our depleted WH Smith bags and on the way to our hotel now. At least it’s hot and sunny and was a good flight.

Thank you for all advice, suggestions and support. I’ve put a claim in so will hopefully be compensated for the time lost.

Time to relax and enjoy the sun 🌞

OP posts:
x2boys · 21/06/2024 17:44

This happened to me many years ago rhen i was a teenager, we were stuck in Manchester Airport ( overnight stay in a hotel ) for 40 hours Something ti do with Greek air traffic control strike I think,

Minimili · 22/06/2024 08:45

Just to follow on from this and if to see if anyone has any advice please?…

I put a claim in for the delay on the TUI website and got this email back:

Firstly, we would like to apologise for the delay to your flight and the disappointment it has caused. We completely understand how frustrating this can be and we appreciate your patience.

If you are covered by your holiday insurance and would like to pursue a claim, the following information will help you.
Scheduled Time of Departure
16:55 GMT 20th June 2024
Actual Time of Departure
10:42 GMT 21st June 2024
Reason for Delay
Due to a technical issue with your operating aircraft your flight was delayed. A replacement aircraft was sourced, and your flight operated at the earliest opportunity the following day.
Total Length of Delay
17 Hours 47 Minutes
You will have noticed the times given above are in Greenwich Mean Time. Don’t worry if these don’t match the local times - we display times like this for insurance purposes.

Once again, we are really very sorry for the impact that this delay has had on your holiday and thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards,

TUI Customer Operations Team

Does this mean I have to go through insurance and they are washing their hands of me?

I wouldn’t have a clue about starting an insurance claim because I’ve never had to, I think the excess for a claim is £150 too so depending on how much they refund it doesn’t seem worth it. I thought TUI would refund directly.

I also was wondering if they might do anything about the following:

The plane didn’t take off at 10.42 - it was 11.42 so that’s wrong to start with.

Hotel is nothing like described or pictured - our room is tiny, dingy and the bed feels like it’s made of rocks and covered with a sheet and dirty, scratchy mustard covered nylon blanket.
I asked reception why it looked different then pictured and if we could move and they said we ARE in an upgraded room and there were no more refurbished rooms left. Obviously they are putting pictures of refurbished rooms to advertise when the majority haven’t been touched for 30 years, if this is upgraded the other rooms must be like prison cells.

Food is cold and tiny selection, cocktails were advertised in the bar but you don’t even get branded spirits! The all inclusive is the most limited I’ve ever seen.

Resort described as “lively and buzzy” the majority of people are in their 50’s and 60’s apart from a few families with young kids and aall the entertainment seems aimed at children.

Its cold, cloudy and windy. I know this isn’t TUI’s fault but it said the temperature would be high 20s on the website but it’s showing maximum today as 19c and I’ve spent a fortune on summer clothes and the temperature is showing warmer in the UK.

Pool was advertised as heated, it’s freezing, It’s also completely different from the pictures on the website and a lot smaller then expected.

Advertised as a “beachside resort” - didn’t mention you can’t use that beach as the waves are too high and no sand just rock.

The walls are paper thin and we were so desperate for sleep after being awake 24 hours we went to bed early last night only a couple of hours after arrival, kept awake all night by a baby crying that was so loud it was like it was in the same room. The air conditioning was also noisy.

There is no TUI rep onsite and I’m just so disappointed I feel like sobbing. We were planning this holiday for months and I was counting down for it. I normally arrange my holiday myself but I saw this holiday was on sale so I assumed if it was usually the previous advertised price and going by the pictures and description of the website it seemed amazing - Tripadvisor score is 4/5 but that’s dropped a half star since booking.

Can I ask what anyone’s advice is please for contacting TUI? We saved for a year to pay for this. Will they deal with the other issues? Does my insurance company deal with the flight delay or TUI?

Last year we went to Turkey and it was a similar price booked through “Love Holidays” and the exact opposite and perfect every way.

OP posts:
Floofydawg · 22/06/2024 08:49

And this is why I will never book with TUI!

Enjoy your holiday.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 22/06/2024 09:14

Hi OP

Don't be fobbed off by that email ... just continue your claim through TUI (should be a link on website) as you'll get more. I think they hope the wording of email makes customers think they can't claim so they don't . More £ for TUI.

We actually had a benefit with our travel insurance where we could also claim through them too with no excess. Only worked out to be about £40 back each but after years of paying travel insurance and never needing a claim too right I was going to!

Our delay experience last year was very similar to yous except on the return leg and we were shipped off to a dodgy hotel close to Naples airport for the night.

But absolutely out that claim in with TUI ... we are flying wth Jet2 this year and am going to bookmark their delay claim link before we go! Grin

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 22/06/2024 09:18

Sorry op meant to say - you can only claim direct with TUI if it was a TUI aircraft otherwise I believe there are other agencies you can go through (may be a fee?)

Apologies I can't recall if you said you were on one of their planes but here's the link

www.tui.co.uk/destinations/contact-us/flight-delays

Kitkat1523 · 22/06/2024 09:20

We flew with Ryanair last year from Liverpool…..flight was just over 3 hours late leaving…..2 days later they refunded the entire flight money back into my bank account……we didn’t even need to claim as such because we had a Ryanair account they did it for us

IBegYourBiggestPardon · 22/06/2024 09:40

Where abouts in Tenerife are you? If you can get over towards the Vista Sur apartments in las americas the beach there is lovely, with proper sand. The only thing is the beach shelves so you can walk out for feels like ages with the sea up to your knees and then suddenly it's up to your neck. The promenade part is also nice to walk up to los Christianos too.

Floofydawg · 22/06/2024 09:46

Minimili · 22/06/2024 08:45

Just to follow on from this and if to see if anyone has any advice please?…

I put a claim in for the delay on the TUI website and got this email back:

Firstly, we would like to apologise for the delay to your flight and the disappointment it has caused. We completely understand how frustrating this can be and we appreciate your patience.

If you are covered by your holiday insurance and would like to pursue a claim, the following information will help you.
Scheduled Time of Departure
16:55 GMT 20th June 2024
Actual Time of Departure
10:42 GMT 21st June 2024
Reason for Delay
Due to a technical issue with your operating aircraft your flight was delayed. A replacement aircraft was sourced, and your flight operated at the earliest opportunity the following day.
Total Length of Delay
17 Hours 47 Minutes
You will have noticed the times given above are in Greenwich Mean Time. Don’t worry if these don’t match the local times - we display times like this for insurance purposes.

Once again, we are really very sorry for the impact that this delay has had on your holiday and thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards,

TUI Customer Operations Team

Does this mean I have to go through insurance and they are washing their hands of me?

I wouldn’t have a clue about starting an insurance claim because I’ve never had to, I think the excess for a claim is £150 too so depending on how much they refund it doesn’t seem worth it. I thought TUI would refund directly.

I also was wondering if they might do anything about the following:

The plane didn’t take off at 10.42 - it was 11.42 so that’s wrong to start with.

Hotel is nothing like described or pictured - our room is tiny, dingy and the bed feels like it’s made of rocks and covered with a sheet and dirty, scratchy mustard covered nylon blanket.
I asked reception why it looked different then pictured and if we could move and they said we ARE in an upgraded room and there were no more refurbished rooms left. Obviously they are putting pictures of refurbished rooms to advertise when the majority haven’t been touched for 30 years, if this is upgraded the other rooms must be like prison cells.

Food is cold and tiny selection, cocktails were advertised in the bar but you don’t even get branded spirits! The all inclusive is the most limited I’ve ever seen.

Resort described as “lively and buzzy” the majority of people are in their 50’s and 60’s apart from a few families with young kids and aall the entertainment seems aimed at children.

Its cold, cloudy and windy. I know this isn’t TUI’s fault but it said the temperature would be high 20s on the website but it’s showing maximum today as 19c and I’ve spent a fortune on summer clothes and the temperature is showing warmer in the UK.

Pool was advertised as heated, it’s freezing, It’s also completely different from the pictures on the website and a lot smaller then expected.

Advertised as a “beachside resort” - didn’t mention you can’t use that beach as the waves are too high and no sand just rock.

The walls are paper thin and we were so desperate for sleep after being awake 24 hours we went to bed early last night only a couple of hours after arrival, kept awake all night by a baby crying that was so loud it was like it was in the same room. The air conditioning was also noisy.

There is no TUI rep onsite and I’m just so disappointed I feel like sobbing. We were planning this holiday for months and I was counting down for it. I normally arrange my holiday myself but I saw this holiday was on sale so I assumed if it was usually the previous advertised price and going by the pictures and description of the website it seemed amazing - Tripadvisor score is 4/5 but that’s dropped a half star since booking.

Can I ask what anyone’s advice is please for contacting TUI? We saved for a year to pay for this. Will they deal with the other issues? Does my insurance company deal with the flight delay or TUI?

Last year we went to Turkey and it was a similar price booked through “Love Holidays” and the exact opposite and perfect every way.

Travel insurance doesn't cover airline fuck ups. They are trying to fob you off.

PlacidPenelope · 22/06/2024 10:02

The plane didn’t take off at 10.42 - it was 11.42 so that’s wrong to start with.

They explained that in the email to you @Minimili they are using GMT not BST (Greenwich Mean Time not British Summer Time which is an hour ahead of GMT).

You will have noticed the times given above are in Greenwich Mean Time. Don’t worry if these don’t match the local times - we display times like this for insurance purposes.

Its cold, cloudy and windy. I know this isn’t TUI’s fault but it said the temperature would be high 20s on the website but it’s showing maximum today as 19c and I’ve spent a fortune on summer clothes and the temperature is showing warmer in the UK.

There is nothing either TUI or your insurance can do about this, why on earth would you think they could?

TUI should be liable for compensation to you for the delayed flight. You can also pursue a claim with them regarding the accommodation if it is not as advertised.

PadstowGirl · 22/06/2024 10:04

You've lost me now with your comment about "the majority being in their 50s and 60s". Yes definitely put that ageist comment in your insurance claim. 😖

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 22/06/2024 10:06

Kitkat1523 · 22/06/2024 09:20

We flew with Ryanair last year from Liverpool…..flight was just over 3 hours late leaving…..2 days later they refunded the entire flight money back into my bank account……we didn’t even need to claim as such because we had a Ryanair account they did it for us

Gosh that's unexpectedly excellent service! Brilliant

QuestionableMouse · 22/06/2024 10:09

PadstowGirl · 22/06/2024 10:04

You've lost me now with your comment about "the majority being in their 50s and 60s". Yes definitely put that ageist comment in your insurance claim. 😖

Is it ageist? If you're expecting a resort will families or younger people it being filled with older people isn't going to have the same vibe!

ghostyslovesheets · 22/06/2024 10:12

My youngest dd - 15 , 20 other kids and 4 poor bloody teacher had their delayed flight cancelled at 11:30 last night - arrived at a hotel at 2:30am and are now hoping to fly at 1 but not confirmed! It’s been a stressful night for everyone

glad you finally got your holiday - enjoy the sun ☀️

Ginmonkeyagain · 22/06/2024 10:16

Ok. Before you make a claim that becomes subject to howls of mirth at the insurer.

  • your flight was delayed but TUI did what they could and provided you with overnight accomodation and money for subsistence - what harm have you actually suffered?
  • if your hotel has signicant issues or does not have things that were explictly included in the price complain to TUI first.
  • 21 degrees is within normal temperature bounds for Tenerife in June - it is on the lower aide of average but that is not TUI's fault.
  • again it is not their fault that older people are booked at the resort at this particular point in time (unless there were spefically advertised age restrictions), but you may be could have worked that out seeing as you are going for your 40th birthday (so no spring chicken yourself) and it is not yet school holidays.
PlacidPenelope · 22/06/2024 10:25

Ok. Before you make a claim that becomes subject to howls of mirth at the insurer.

Quite. I can just imagine the reaction of the insurer to : I spent a lot of money on summer clothes and the weather is not as advertised, there are no branded spirits for the cocktails at the bar and there are a bunch of 50 and 60 year olds at the resort, I demand compensation for this.

Kitkat1523 · 22/06/2024 10:33

Ginmonkeyagain · 22/06/2024 10:16

Ok. Before you make a claim that becomes subject to howls of mirth at the insurer.

  • your flight was delayed but TUI did what they could and provided you with overnight accomodation and money for subsistence - what harm have you actually suffered?
  • if your hotel has signicant issues or does not have things that were explictly included in the price complain to TUI first.
  • 21 degrees is within normal temperature bounds for Tenerife in June - it is on the lower aide of average but that is not TUI's fault.
  • again it is not their fault that older people are booked at the resort at this particular point in time (unless there were spefically advertised age restrictions), but you may be could have worked that out seeing as you are going for your 40th birthday (so no spring chicken yourself) and it is not yet school holidays.

OP is entitled to refund of up to £350 for a medium haul flight if the flight lands 3 or more hours late ….im guseeing her flight cost less than this….so entitled to a full refund …..Ryanair refunded us within 2 days ….ok flights were only 70 quid…but it’s the principle…..why wouldn’t OP make a claim?

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