Icelandic Volcanic Eruption - Significant Disruption to UK Flights

Jokester · 15 Apr 2010 at 05:20

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8621407.stm

Doh, supposed to be due back from the US in a couple of days time. Sounds like it will spread South affecting more areas.

Jokester · 16 Apr 2010 at 00:07

I'm supposed to fly out of Denver tomorrow night, not hopeful now.

Jokester · 16 Apr 2010 at 03:15

rypt said:
There is no ash BELOW the ash cloud, hence why I said they fly below it.

It might not work long haul due to them needing the jet stream, but for shorter journeys they should manage surely

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8623950.stm

Ash is now reaching ground level.

Jokester · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:48

Well, that's my flight cancelled.

Jokester · 16 Apr 2010 at 17:07

Jet engines aren't remotely designed for sand blasting at 500mph.

Jokester · 16 Apr 2010 at 18:06

Ash is now falling in rural Aberdeenshire apparently.

Jokester · 16 Apr 2010 at 19:31

naefeart said:
Soo not impressed with Iceland. Was due to fly back to the UK from the US today, now I'm not sure when I will get home.

First I get hit by the strike and now volcanos. So unsporting lol

n

I was due back today, the airline has just re-arranged my flight for next Thursday!

Jokester · 16 Apr 2010 at 19:51

I'm on holiday at the moment, so I'll need to claim it off insurance (what I can anyway). Going to be able to take advantage of it and get some extra skiing in though!

I'm flying with United and BMI out of Denver to Aberdeen but I'm not convinced there will be flights into London before Monday though looking at the ash maps above. My new ticket has me being rerouted via Chicago. Some other guys out here have been given a 2 day stop in Germany!

Jokester · 18 Apr 2010 at 16:08

Going to try and claim refugee status

Jokester · 18 Apr 2010 at 23:24

If Gordon Brown can get me home in time for the election.... I'll even vote for Labour.

Jokester · 19 Apr 2010 at 17:41

Guys on our tour who were rescheduled for flying out today from Denver have been rescheduled for 2nd May.

Jokester · 19 Apr 2010 at 18:12

SB118 said:
but if the non-fly is in effect for safety reasons, what room is there for a "deal"?

The airlines will need to manage the risk by doing increased engine inspections etc.

Jokester · 19 Apr 2010 at 18:17

qqg3 said:
I wonder if mum's the word on how many teachers are stranded.

I know plenty tend to hit up a holiday at easter so there has to be a fair few AWOL right about now.

We've got some teachers out with us that were due back to school today. Some were saying they've got test papers that need to be marked sitting at home and if it drags on much longer they were due to invigilate exams in May.

Jokester · 19 Apr 2010 at 23:34

LabR@t said:
this made me LOL from twitter

Sitting watching CNN here, Sarah Palin is actually considered a serious candidate for the next presedential elections :eek:

Jokester · 20 Apr 2010 at 03:21

Just watching the news and they're saying that this will plunge affected countries back into recession.

Jokester · 20 Apr 2010 at 17:35

Problem is the Market would reward those that were cheaper forcing airlines that attempted to horde cash for a rainy day out of business.

Jokester · 20 Apr 2010 at 18:44

PlumpMonkey said:
A couple of flights from the US set off a while ago (one from Denver and one from Calgary) They are currently just over northern Ireland.

Heres a cool website that shows you positions of current planes

http://www.radarvirtuel.com/

Any idea what the destination of the Denver flight is?

Jokester · 20 Apr 2010 at 19:28

These flights must be empty, the ones I've checked all say that the flight was cancelled.

Jokester · 20 Apr 2010 at 19:33

Thorpy said:
Empty from Denver?

The Denver flight is being reported as having been cancelled, indeed wasn't due to leave till tonight at about 8pm local time.

Jokester · 20 Apr 2010 at 21:17

I would imagine BA knew this was coming rather than forcing the CAA's hand and are merely moving planes to where they need to be for when normal flights resume tomorrow effectively.