Volcanic ash from Chile & my flights SYD-AKL-LAX

[Henk]

Hearing news about flights interruptions to and from NZ worry me as I'm on QF141 SYD-AKL and QF25 AKL-LAX on Tuesday, June 14. Apparently only flights MEL - NZ are affected, but since QF25 originates in MEL, then I may get stuck too...

Is anyone else worried?

 

[LiamR]

Take a look here:

Qantas Major Disruptions - where we keep you informed of developments and the choices that are available to you

Qantas says the return flight, QF26 is delayed till the next morning. Meaning the LAX-AKL sector should arrive sometime on the 14th, (the plane is then meant to turnaround and either go to MEL or back to LAX... Either way your not going to be leaving on time) I would assume you will be facing some sort of delay/re-routing to your booking. I suggest you call up Qantas now and ask to be put on one of the direct SYD-LAX. They should be able to do this at no charge.

AFAIK AKL will proabley be shutting down soon aswell, if it stays open, it will be facing some lengthy delays.

Not good news. The best thing you can do is re-route and try to avoid it!!

 

[Henk]

Thank you Liam for a very helpful reply to my message. I've just called Qantas and was informed that it is to early to make alternative arrangements. Was advised to call any time tomorrow.
Have my fingers crossed.

 

[LiamR]

Thank you Liam for a very helpful reply to my message. I've just called Qantas and was informed that it is to early to make alternative arrangements. Was advised to call any time tomorrow.
Have my fingers crossed.

No problem, happy to help.

From what I've heard, Qantas have suspended all MEL flights until at least 10am. So they'll update whats happening for the next 24hrs around then. You'll find out whats happening with your flight then.

Don't panic... Your a Platinum, so they'll do there best to get you on a flight.

 

[shambles]

Hmm.. me thinks it's a case of "hurry up & wait". I'm on the 6am MEL-SYD flight tomorrow which at this stage shows as still planned but if today is any indication I dont think many SYD QF flights if any have gone. Would be no big deal if it wasnt that I was getting to SYD to catch a LAN flight due to depart 09.25 tomorrow SYD-AKL-SCL. Confusing thing there is that the inbound LAN flight is showing as 12 hours delayed, new ETA AKL is circa 4pm 14th instead of 4am but the AKL-SYD and subsequent SYD-AKL-SCL are still showing as per original timings. Guess it will just be a case of join the 5am chaos at Tulla tomorrow, try & get to Sydney then spend most the following 24 hours chilling in lounges

As long as I get to AKL in time to catch my return flight to SYD on Thursday morning

QF are certainly taking a far more conservative approach with the ash cloud. Whats wrong with just zipping around at 500' AGL military style? hehe

 

[Blackadder]

QF were planning to have flights to/from Melb from 1300, I guess a question if they managed to do this and how quickly the backlog can be moved.

 

[Demon62]

We have been stuck in Auckland and been cancelled twice, first on the monrning of the 13th, then today the 14th. now booked for the 15th late evening. Frustrating as AirNZ, Emerates etc are flying. Sunday note on hold for 4 hours in total - inlcuding half hour on Aussie based mobile - like to see the bill when it comes - responding to SMS cacnelling with no info on the website. last nite 3 hours on hold, to be told "how long is a piece of string", they don't know if added services will be scheduled, don't know if larger aircraft will be scheduled, told to watch the news.

Formal complaint on its way QF - really annoyed with their lack of information - can sympathise, but come on guys, put yoursleves in our posy as well, give out info rather than just rebooking on first available and then basically piss off.

 

[Mox_Fulder]

Reading above, I guess I won't be flying back to syd from Akl today as well. I was rebooked onto qf56 today but just checked the flight status and shows up as cancelled. Sigh...Is it really a question of safety for Qantas or a question of economics ? Everyone is flying so safety is not a real issue. Is it because qf does not want to spend the extra cost on fuel that is required to fly at lower altitudes ?And if they won,t fly, could they not charter an air NZ flight to bring qf passengers home ?Guess I will be here for another day in Akl...fingers crossed they might still make change of heart and fly to get some backlogs out of the way.....

 

[jb747]

Reading above, I guess I won't be flying back to syd from Akl today as well. I was rebooked onto qf56 today but just checked the flight status and shows up as cancelled. Sigh...Is it really a question of safety for Qantas or a question of economics ? Everyone is flying so safety is not a real issue. Is it because qf does not want to spend the extra cost on fuel that is required to fly at lower altitudes ?And if they won,t fly, could they not charter an air NZ flight to bring qf passengers home ?Guess I will be here for another day in Akl...fingers crossed they might still make change of heart and fly to get some backlogs out of the way.....

Yes, it is a question of safety. Just because others are doing does not make it safe (or unsafe).

The economics of flying low are a miniscule cost compared the cost of mass cancellations.

 

[Henk]

Got an SMS from QF at 9.00 PM last night with the unwanted news that my flight SYD-AKL-LAX this morning, (14/6/2011) got cancelled. Called the QF Premium desk and the news was not good. The person on the other side was probably very tired because almost everything I said or asked was irritating her. She kept reminding me that she was doing me a favor; I don't think, I was impolite or something. I'm re-booked for Friday... We'll see what happens.

 

[docjames]

Got an SMS from QF at 9.00 PM last night with the unwanted news that my flight SYD-AKL-LAX this morning, (14/6/2011) got cancelled. Called the QF Premium desk and the news was not good. The person on the other side was probably very tired because almost everything I said or asked was irritating her. She kept reminding me that she was doing me a favor; I don't think, I was impolite or something. I'm re-booked for Friday... We'll see what happens.

Could they not re-route you via SYD/MEL/BNE? If your final destination is east cost US then they could try and re-route you via LHR :shock: