MSE News: Volcanic ash hits UK flights

A question about : MSE News: Volcanic ash hits UK flights

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

MoneySavingExpert.com has been besieged with emails from worried travellers due to fly, so we've rounded up your rights ...

See the updated story:
Volcanic ash hits UK flights: your travel rights

Read the original story:
Volcanic ash to hit UK but flight cancellation fears calmed

Best answers:

• I'm keeping my fingers and toes firmly crossed that it doesn't effect our flight booked for the 30th.
  After watching the interview with the CAA this lunchtime I'm feeling more confident than I was before I saw it. It appears that each flight (and equipment) will be judged on merit and individual circumstances rather than a blanket ban being imposed, with much more co-ordination between countries. Also, this volcano has in the past typically produced lava, not ash - lets hope it stays that way
• We have out much awaited and saved-up-for round the world trip on friday. Due to fly out from heathrow, will be devastated if we're affected.
• 0600 tomorrow does not look good for flights west
  https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...1306151334.png
  follow the predictions here
  https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...aacuk_vag.html
• If you are flying through this period, I suggest you wear your anti-abrasive pants.
  Take a look out the window at the sand-blasted (volcanic ash blasted) paint off the winglets and when you get on or off take a look at the obliterated spirals on the engine spinner cones
  Or maybe its the wrong kind of ash for that this time
• Flying out to mexico on monday to get married, Fingers crossed here too.......
• Flying out of gatwick friday, have major fingers crossed for our big family hol!!
• BA86 from Vancouver to Heathrow delayed 20+ hours last night (hasn't taken off yet) whilst they examined the Jumbo's engines for ash damage from the outbound flight from Heathrow.
  This was after the flight had boarded!
  There were apparently visual signs of ash.
  This route passes closer to Iceland than any other route other than flights to Iceland itself.
• This site shows the ash cloud and planes in flight. I assume it is fairly accurate.
  https://www.flightradar24.com/
• Well meant to be flying at 6am tomorrow morning...its not looking too hopeful as the news says its going to hit our area by tonight.....Airline has already cancelled some flights so not holding my breath
• Hubby is flying to Stockholm on Thursday for the marathon, he will be highly annoyed if it doesnt go, probably will not get a reimbursement from hotel and will lose the money paid to enter the marathon, so praying it will all go as I have had to pay for extra childcare too which I cant cancel last minute. It is so annoying.
  EDIT Crikey I would hate to be an air traffic controller, cant believe the amount of planes in the sky
• Just out of intrest what is the protocol if flights are cancelled? Do you still go to the airport and wait for the next flight?
  As i assume if you waited at home those that had turned up at the airport would get priority???
  Not that im hoping ill ever have to know what to do! We WILL be waking up to the sunshine on holiday on saturday and not in england!!
• Were flying from gatwick to heraklion
• I am on a flight out of Gatwick tomorrow at 7.15 am. Am still quite cheerful though as we managed to avoid the issues with the ash last year and at Christmas we were the very last flight out of Gatwick before the airport closed and we had no issues at all coming back Christmas Eve.
• So, just to confirm as I'm flying in 2 weeks and am really worried (nearly bought ash cloud insurance in panic):
  I've booked a holiday to florida from first choice. The cost of the flights and the stays in the hotels are all covered in the single price, so I presume this is a package holiday.
  As the article says:
  Quote:
• DD & 2 friends flying from Manchester at 6pm (in theory). Websites say all is OK atm(last time I looked), although that may just be to stop their phones from ringing. However notice Easyjet have cancelled a lot of flights today from Newcastle.
  DD's friend who works as groundstaff at Liverpool is less than optimistic........don't know whether that's a guess or she's got some insider info!
  Anyway, have packed them a bag of butties, cake, fruit, crisps etc each, just in case!
• Came across this site, shows the concentration of the ash cloud and effectively where the no fly zones are. Last updated at 6UTC at the moment (7am here) but can see the predicted forceast for up to +18hours. Anything within the lightest colour with the red boundary is low concentration where airlines don't need to apply for permission to fly so expect these areas to be ok? https://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-a...0&CLOUD=1&FL=0