Oh... oh... volcano ash...

I read an article online that the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland is still very active. There is a possibility that flights in/out of Heathrow will be affected AGAIN. We won't know for a couple of days. 

Volcano may force UK airport closings next week

By the CNN Wire Staff

May 15, 2010 -- Updated 1437 GMT (2237 HKT)

Ash from an Icelandic volcano once again threatens to halt flights in the United Kingdom.

London, England (CNN) -- Volcanic ash may force British airports to close again next week, the country's Department of Transport said Saturday.

If a volcano in Iceland continues to erupt at current levels and if current weather conditions prevail, air travel in Britain could be disrupted between Sunday and Tuesday.

"The government is carefully monitoring this situation, and the safety of passengers will remain our paramount concern," said Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.

The department said predictions remain fluid, urging passengers to check with airlines before taking any action.
British Airways said it would notify passengers of potential disruptions on its website.

"There is a distinct possibility of some disruption from the ash cloud over the southeast of England, but it is too early to tell if this will extend as far as Heathrow or Gatwick yet," a British Airways spokesman told CNN.
Volcanic ash had forced the closing of Iceland's main airport Friday, but it reopened at midnight and was operating normally on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, traffic was shut down in airports from central Spain to the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.
The problems began in mid-April, when the volcano beneath the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in southern Iceland erupted and sent a cloud of ash into the atmosphere, disrupting international travel for several days.

Volcanic ash can be a serious hazard to aircraft, reducing visibility, damaging flight controls and ultimately causing jet engines to fail.

British ministers agreed Saturday that five-day ash-prediction charts -- the first of which will come out later Saturday -- would now be made available to airlines, other transport providers and the public on the Met Office website. Previously only 18-hour forecasts had been available.

Just when I thought all was a GO, we have to continue to monitor the British Air website. 

Our flight --- NOT CANCELLED

We won this one. Of the three flights that were scheduled to fly from Newark to Heathrow on May 20, the one that was cancelled was NOT OURS. I knew they were posting info about the first group of dates today but was optimistic about our flight. OPTIMISM RULES.

I called Grand Circle air dept concerning our return flight. It's not on one of the "strike days" but I wanted to make sure they'd take care of it IF there are any changes. I was confident that they would but just wanted to check. They confirmed my thoughts about them.

On the British Air website, they've posted info about what flights might be like in the event of the strike. (They are VERY PREPARED.) What I found interesting was the part of refunds if someone doesn't get the seat they reserved. (Money back? Wonder how much that would be.) Hopefully the veggie meals we ordered will be available. Just in case they aren't, we'll take something with us. We're probably going to have something to eat BEFORE the flight since it doesn't leave until about 9 PM in the evening.

World Traveller (economy) Amenities The inflight amenities kit will be available. Seat selection If you have already made a seat selection (free or paid for) we will endeavour to honour it. If you do not get the seat you paid for, you can claim a refund. Seating refund form Meals If you are travelling to Cairo or Tel Aviv one hot meal will be served at your seat. On other flights under 9 hours a hot meal and a second light snack will be served at your seat. Snacks and savoury items will be available from the galley at any time during the flight. On flights over 9 hours a hot meal and a second lighter meal will be served at your seat, with snacks and savoury items available from the galley at any time during the flight.  The usual range of hot and cold drinks will be available along with a bar service. Special Meals Unfortunately, pre-ordered special meals will not be available. A limited number of vegetarian meals will be available. If you have special requirements that cannot be satisfied by making your own arrangements on the ground, you can bring your own food onboard as long as you stay within your permitted hand baggage allowances, and it complies with the regulations regarding the carriage of liquids on board. Hand baggage allowances Restrictions and allowances for carrying liquids In addition, it is your responsibility to ensure any food carried into your country of destination does not breach any local import regulations. Child meals Child meals will not be available. If you are travelling with young children or infants you can bring your baby food and powdered milk, which can be prepared on the aircraft. Additional needs Passengers with additional needs will be accommodated as usual. This includes wheelchair users, those with restricted mobility, unaccompanied minors and families. Inflight entertainment Normal inflight entertainment options will be available. Inflight retail (Duty free) There will be no inflight retail available onboard, but you can still purchase duty free goods through the online High Life Shop. High Life Shop Lounges All lounges remain open. Lounge eligibility rules are unchanged. Lounge eligibility Baggage allowances Normal baggage allowance rules apply. Checked baggage allowances Check-in All the normal ways of checking in including online, kiosks and at the airport will be available. Your check in times remain as normal. NOTE On the day operational limitations may mean we are unable to provide the facilities and services exactly as outlined above.

Possible British Airways Strikes...

I get many travel updates and usually I like what I read. Not this time. This could affect our trip but I'm optimistic that it won't. I did call Grand Circle airline dept. and, of course, they knew about it. They monitor all situations about airlines so are watching, too.

Europe Travelers: More Airline Strikes Ahead for British Airways Passengers – More Delays, Cancellations Ahead?

By: Anne McDermott | Posted: May 10, 2010

An update from British Airways:
British Airways says it is “disappointed” to announce that the union representing the airline’s cabin crew personnel plans to conduct more strikes.
These are not open-ended strikes, but a series of four scheduled actions. These are the announced dates:
1.) May 18-22
2.) May 24-28
3.) May 30 – June 3
4.) June 5-9
You may recall that British Airways was hit by a series of strikes earlier this year, but the airline managed to keep many of their planes in the air.
Still, it’s been a difficult year for the carrier: first the strikes, then the volcanic ash that shut down European airspace, canceling thousands of airline flights and stranding passengers around the globe – and now, more strikes again.
Executives at British Airways say, “We are currently considering our response so we can minimise any disruption during this strike period.” Despite their best efforts, there could be more delays and cancelations ahead.
If you have travel plans with British Airways during the strikes, contact the airline as soon as possible – and you can find contact information for the airline on its website.
Thanks to Joe Brancatelli for the timely alert.