Ok, let's do it - your HORRIBLE FLIGHTS FROM HELL stories here!

[Jacksmama]

Someone else start. I have to get ready for work

Well...

Flying back from Mexcico we decided to hang back and get on the last shuttle bus from the hotel to the airport with the view that we could entertain the kids easier at the hotel than the airport.

Arrive at the airport and are at the end of a very long queue to check in. They had no x-ray equipment so every bag was checked by hand. 4 hours we stood in the queue with a 3 and 1 year old. My FIL who has high blood pressure had a funny turn.

When we get to the departure lounge everything was shut. There was no cafe or shops so could not get the kids a drink of water or anything.

We get on the plane and it was delayed setting off, stewardesses would not heat food or get the kids a drink until we took off. My DD who was 1 cried for 2 hours. I was breastfeeding her but probably had hardly any milk as was hot and hadn't had anything to drink myself for 6 hours or so.

Finally get DD to sleep and stewardess bumos her with the trolley and wakes her up, cue another hour or so of crying.

Then when we landed, they put our buggy on the runway to put on the luggage truck and they ran it over.

Thought my number was up when flying back from Orlando with DH (pre-DC thankfully). It was the middle of the night, all the lights were off and we hit really heavy turbulence, at one point the plane dropped what felt like a huge distance (apparently planes can drop up to 300ft in turbulence). One person who wasn't strapped in hit the ceiling, stuff flew everywhere and there was a bit of screaming that might have been me, I started crying and one of the stewardesses had to come and soothe me .

Turbulence lasted about 15 mins and afterwards one of the crew said it was the worst she had ever flown through. I practically kissed the tarmac when we finally landed and have never been on an aeroplane since!

The flight to Paris with my ex-p- it was meant to be a romantic break, but for some reason I have forgotten, he was sulking with me and spoke not one word...twat!

when I got the Thai trots on a flight from Jakarta to Sydney

we got bumped to first class, but I spent the whole 8 hours in the toilet while everyone else quaffed a free champagne breakfast and reclined on the beds

when I got to Sydney airport, I actually had shit-stained trousers, it went everywhere

we were picked up by friends and I had to hold my bag over my groin

I spent the first 48 hours in bed and lost half a stone in weight

happy days !

Mine's not as terrible as some but I was flying alone with six-month-old DS1. DP had to work and missed the holiday at short notice. The seat he should have had (which I was promised would be empty) was filled at the last second by some stylish singleton woman who huffed and puffed every time DS1 made the slightest sound. Getting on and off the plane was a nightmare because I was carrying DS1, plus I had a pushchair and very large suitcase to content with on my own.
Before I left everyone said 'oh, you'll be fine, people will hep'. Ha! Not one person offered any help, they just all watched me struggle.

My horrible flight from hell was coming back from Jamaica with my 3 DC. DS1 (18m) had a milkshake before getting on the flight. It obviously disagreed with him as he was sick 8 times during the flight all over me. Being an experienced mummy I had 3 changes of clothes with me so thought I would be okay. However shortly before landing he was completely sick all over my final change of clothes.

The stewardesses had to give me one of the pyjammas that are worn in first class (I think they'd even been worn - yuk) so that I could get home.

My first time on a plane was a trip to New York (via Detroit to keep the cost down!). I was about 19 or 20.

On the way home there were severe delays due to electrical storms. Waiting for the internal flight to Detroit someone from the airline trotted along and told everyone that if you were has a conecting flight in Detroit you would likely miss it, and that thay wouldn't be any accomodation if you got stuck in Detroit and if you didn't like it, don't bother getting on the plane! I was terrified of flying and had about 5 dollars left and promptly burst into tears! A very lovely American lady took pity on me, gave me money for lunch and took the rude check in staff to task and got our uk flight changed.

We eventually boarded the flight and spent about 2 hours just sat on the run way. When the flight finally landed we had about 10 minutes to get across the airport to make our flight. I had a massive bust up with a man who grabbed hold of me in the plane aisle so he could get off in front of me and then proceeded to get several bags out of the overhead locker. I vaguely remember being very stroppy and vocal .

When we finally got to where we were supposed to be that plane was announced as delayed. Dh (then dp) made a very inadvised comment about understanding why so many people lose the plot in the US whilst sat between two huge stetson wearing men who spent the rest of the time glaring at us whilst I tried to disapear in my seat.

The plane looked like the rust was holding it together (never want to fly on a DC10 again in my life!). When we finally arrived in Gatwick 24 hours after we set off, our luggage didn't. I had a small break down in lost luggage and threw myself on the floor sobbing . We've always flown direct since then!

I'll do one sotry at a time

Flight back from Mombasa where he had two weeks on a last minute deal with Somak. (First off - the hotel hadn't been quite bad enough to warrant us just checking into aonther hotel - the first week we counted tattoos, the second week there was an influx of body piercing )

There had been massive unseasonal rains, so Mombasa was flooded and the plane couldn't get in, so we had to stay an extra night. We were bussed to another hotel as we had checked out of our own hotel. The Somak personnel authorised meals but refused to authorise any water (having previosult advised us not to drink the local water). They also refused to authorise any calls home to get peope at home let people like work know. This was in contrast to the other tour operators who were providing water and calls and generally communicating with thier cusomters.

Following day we were taken to the airport again, waited another 5 hours and the flight finally took off - one of those DC10s with the engine in the tail.

Landed at Crete for refuelling - about 6pm. Landing was very hard, with the nose abnormally high. After more than an hour, the pilot then comes to say that "during a routine inspection, part of the rear engine cowling was missing. Now this could have fallen off anywhere between Mombasa and Crete" All the passnegers though "get a torch out, go down the runway and you will find it!"

Anyway, they had to send a new plane/part to Crete from Gatwick, so we had to spend the night in Crete. We were one of the first ot get allocated a hotel - so were sent to a 2 star Greek hotel. This did not help reduce dh's prejudices against Greece (he's never been before) - especially as I said "it wasn't bad for Greece". Those that were the last to get allocated hotels got 5 star hotels

By this point the Somak representaitves who were also on the flight had taken off their uniforms and were hiding

The following day we were taken back to the airport, where two local Thomson representatives did a fantastic job looking after the whole plane - despite the fact that there were only 5 Thomson holidaymakers on the plane (who themelseves were only on the plane becasue the floods in Mombasa had meant that they had missed their "own" flight). Thomson ahd been sensible enough to make contact with thei local representatives, who then, on their own initiaitve, helped the rest of us.

Guess who will never travle with Somak again and who has positive feelings towards Thomson

BTW - fortunately that was pre ds!

DD had projectile vomiting and the runs flying back from NY.

I dumped my fiance a few hours before flying home from holiday. That was fun.

Only ever flown on 3 holidays, The last one involved 4 flights. 3 affected by electrical storms over NYC. First flight involved 3 aborted landings and I was terrified. Dh was convinced he had a broken hand when we landed When setting off back we were on the plane when lightening started so they stopped refueling and cleared the area. We were left on the plane for 5 hours. They just started serving food when we were told to V quickly take off so as I was first fed I was cramming it in as we taxied down the runway

Hopefully we are going back soon but not in the summer

Ooh, me!

Pre DC flying to Boston for the weekend to see one of my oldest friends.

Flight goes absolutely fine until we try to land at Boston at about 7PM - there is heavy snow so they divert us to New York where we sit on the tarmac and they keep telling us we will be leaving soon.

After a couple of hours on the ground they come round and take all of our blankets away, tell us to put our seats up and put our hand luggage away.

Then nothing happens.

For hours.

By now it's v late at night and we've been on the plane for about 14 hours. We aren't allowed to get off at the airport, we have to stay on the plane.

The American passengers are complaining loudly, the British ones are all stiff upper lip.

The toilets run out of toilet roll.

We aren't allowed to recline our seats or have our blankets back so we are freezing cold.

Eventually, after very many hours the captain says the airport at Boston is now safe to land in and we have a new landing slot.

BUT - the crew have worked longer than their hours and have to get off. So now we have to wait for a new crew. Still not allowed our blankets back, despite asking.

Finally the new crew arrives and we set off for Boston - not long before we come into land the plane shakes, all the lights go out and the emergency lights on the floor highlighting the aisles come on. We finally touch down with a bumpy landing.

My friend who was supposed to meet me at the airport at 7PM has gone home to bed (thankfully there were airphones) so I get in a cab and arrive at her apartment at 5AM - 10 hours after I was supposed to arrive, mnost of it spent on the tarmac at chuffing JFK!

She poured me a huge Gin and Tonic and then I passed out.

The rest of the trip was great!

That was with Virgin Atlantic btw, not some completely tinpot airline.

not the actual flight but my worst changeover (which compared to these stories is nothing) was at Chicago. Just me and dd. dd was on liquid antibiotics for an infection and I was concerned about her asthma.

Our first flight had been cancelled due to bad weather but at the first airport they had been fab, fast tracked us on to the first available flight - bypassed the security queue. It was very good.

Got to Chicago. Security staff had a massive argument amongst themselves about whether dds antibiotics need to be in a clear bag. We got through with them eventually. Our transatlantic flight was very delayed. The longer we waited, the more it got delayed.

There was no food and no drink airside. We didn't dare go back through security in case they nicked the antibiotics. The phones weren't working (didn't have a mobile) so I couldn't call my parents or dh to let them know where we were. eventually I persuaded the first class lounge to lend us their phone and let us have some water. They were so snotty.

Then they turned out the lights airside. It was midnight. dd was restless so we roamed empty corridors in the dark. Very surreal!

When we eventually got on the plane a lovely lovely stewardess took pity on me. As soon as we sat down she handed me two bottles of wine she also tried to move the passenger next to us to a different seat, so we had a bit more space but she refused to move.

dd fell asleep instantly on top of me, so couldnt eat my food but I got through a fair bit of wine!

Next one: (really dh's)

Dh was on a flight in the states once. he was sitting next to someone who was really nervous. Plane took off with him reasuring her. Still on the steep ascent and the seat belt lights are still on, when they hear on the intercom: "I tell you, I can see daylight", "are you sure", 2yes, I cna see daylight, I am sure it is not closed properly".

Lady beside dh now getting really panicy. This goes on for a few minutes - so dh gets out of his seat and walks up to the front where the chief stewardess is sitting - with her waving her finger at him and pointing to the "seat belt" sign as he does so. He gets to her and explains what they have been hearing. She rushes to the back of the plane and there is an audible click as the intercom is switched off. She then goes up to the pilots.

Next, thing, the pilot comes on and says "it would appear that our rear door is not properly closed, we are going to have to land". This took something like an hour as they had to circle their way down due to concerns over pressurisation.

They were then taken off the plane while the problm was fixed. However, the passengers refused to get back on and all ended up being put onto a different plane.

I'd like to hear some more - entertaining in a horrifying way!

at "I can see daylight" - fuck me, I'd have a panic attack!

OMG Prettybird

We were flying back to London from Seattle with BA when we hit a storm and the worse turbulence ever with dropping, bumping,banging, things flying everywhere, seemed to go on for ages. I was so petrified I actually pulled out some of my hair.

Soooo many people were crying(including a stewardess which was my trigger point for major freak out time).

As it was so bad we couldn't land,then we had to get in a queue aaaand circle for what seemed like eternity-that's when the vomiting started.

So intermingled with the wailing were the vomiting sounds,so many people were ill they ran out of sick bags!!!!!!!!

Dp has forgiven me for gouging bits out of his hand but apparently for some reason I staggered off clutching my full bag,couldn't find a bin but refused to dump it in a corridor or let go of it so it ended up with us on the bus home-back to Bath

Haven't been on a plane since but have a huge list of places we want to show the kids, however I'd traumatise them for life within 5 mins-really shouldn't be looking at this thread.

years ago, flying back from new york. the day before we left there had been a plane crash at jfk airport, so already abit jittery.
we took off in a massive thunder/lightnenng storm and the turbulance was awful, stuff coming out of overhead lockers, cabin crew looked worried (always a bag sign) this went on for about 15/20 minutes when suddenly saw smoke billowing out of the toilet, alarms going off and cabin crew running to the toilet with fire extinguishers and having big fight with a passenger.
cue screaming crying ect.
it turns out the man had been so frightened by the turbulance he had gone into the toilet to have a cigarette, set the alarm off, paniced and dropped the fag into the paper towel bin, causing it to catch fire. there were loads of police waiting when we finally landed and the man was escorte off in handcuffs. i had to catch a connecting flight 3 hours later and tbh i don't know how i got on the second plane.

Few years ago had a stopover in Paris on the way to Beijing, time to kill, staring at the ceiling & marveling about the construction and wondering how on earth they could suspend so much concrete from the roof

Next day - roof came down over the spot I'd been sitting

On the way back, sat next to chinese man doing non-stop throat clearing they do so well in the far east.. horrid

ANother one: flying from Jo'burg to Durban (so not the State ).

Plane is going felt pelt along the runway, about to take off when wham! the pilot slams the brakes on. (my handbag ended 3 seats in front of me ).

Pilot comes on the intercom and says, "sorry about that, I didn't like the feel of one of the engines, so I decided to abort the takeoff".

We get taken back to the terminal and are then squeezed on to the next flight.

Next flight: starts trundling along the runway...... and trundles........ and trundles....... and trundles........ and trundles...... and turns off the runway

Pilot (different one) comes on the intercom and says "sorry about that, I didn't like the feel of one of the tires so I decided not to attempt a take-off"

Sat on the plane for about half an hour or so while they fixed the problem before eventually taking off.

Just as well dh and I are not nervous liers!

Christmas 1994- Rome-Gatwick (in theory)

Hoooge delay with no info at Rome, we eventually get on plane about 7 hours late and take off. We fly around a bit then stewardess mentions she doesn't know where we are landing, Gatwick is closed for fog. Perhaps we'll land in M/cr. Hmmm, Mum is in Gatwick waiting for me, I live in Nottingham, no-one has mobile phone, we are/were luddites.

We get to the fasten seat belts we are about to land bit, and the bloke in front of me asks politely where exactly are we? (we could see trees/roads by this point) Stewardess looks out of window and says she isn't sure but the last she heard we were being diverted to Birmingham.

We touch the tarmac and all look out of the window to see a field. It doesn't look like a hoooooooge int'l airport. It isn't, it's Southend. Which that particular evening had every plane from Heathrow/Gatwick/Luton and Stansted diverted to it (seemingly) It had one set of steps in use, and we had to sit on the plane for almost 3 hours waiting for our go on the steps. A very nice (but frighteningly young) man called Darren hoisted himself through the door (winched somehow?) to introduce himself as the duty manager or something. All drinks and food had run out and we were nomming the chocolates we'd bought for the rellies.

We get off (eventually) and onto the bus which is going to take us to Gatwick......the man who lived in Southend was not permitted to get off the plane and walk home because there were no customs officials on duty at Southend and he had to be watched going through the nothing-to-declare bit....the Chinese couple nearly had their faces kicked in when we had to wait anther 90 minutes for them to be interrogated by Darren.

When we got to Gatwick (the next day) my Mum told me that at the airline's desk and on the telly screen things, it maintained we had landed in Manchester. Which is the scariest bit of all, no? That no-one really knows where planes are.....a bloke with a mobile rang home and got his missis to look on teletext (remember that?) and told the officials at Gatwick that we were actually in Sarfend.