January 11, 2006
Trouble with easyJet
Guardian Money did a little trouble-shooting before the European court of justice dismissed a challenge yesterday to European Union rules covering compensation for air travellers whose flights are overbooked, cancelled or delayed.
Peter Ashworth was among 180 passengers stranded at Bratislava airport after easyJet cancelled its return flight to Luton on December 30. EasyJet said it could only offer a replacement flight six days later.Posted by James Trotta at January 11, 2006 10:30 AMMr Ashworth and his wife, Maureen, queued for two hours to be told that the plane would not be flying. No reason was given. The pair were offered a flight on January 5 but told they would have to pay the intervening hotel bills. Contrary to EU regulations, he said they were not handed a leaflet detailing their rights or offered any food or drinks. "It was utter chaos. There was one member of staff to tell 180 passengers they wouldn't be flying, and she knew nothing. No help was offered."
The pair were lucky to buy the last two seats on another flight offered by rival airline SkyEurope and flew back at 7.15pm, but to Stansted. "The extra flights cost us £440 and we had to get a £50 taxi back to our car. When we complained to easyJet on our return they just offered us the cost of the unused return proportion of our tickets - just under £60 each. We've since been told our holiday insurance won't cover it," said Mr Ashworth.
EasyJet said weather problems across Europe on that day caused disruption to the fleet, causing aircraft to be grounded at airports which were snowed in and resulting in the cancellation. It has since confirmed that it will pay for the Ashworth's replacement flights and out-of-pocket expenses.
PLEASE SEND ME IMFO FOR PLACES TO GO ON A HONEYMOON
Posted by: YEILIN at January 13, 2006 6:17 AMRyanair stranded us in Strasburg four years ago, for 7 hours with no news whatsoever. The pilots had landed in Gatwick instead of Stanstead which meant the pilots for the return to Strasburg had to get cabs across London in rush hour traffic to Gatwick to fly the plane back to Standstead to get it cleaned and prepped and then fly it to Strasburg. We were not even offered the cost of the flight (£10) let alone meaks or drinks.
For my honeymoon I intend to go overland to Morocco!
Hey James,
I've enjoyed your blog. Me and my family travel from SFO to BKK a few times a year, wife's family is in BKK.
I've flown the gamet of airlines, and my fav is ANA. I've flown JAL before, and they're right there with ANA, but I love ANA's 777s. Anyway, if you haven't given ANA a try, you might consider it.
Cheers!
Posted by: Jeff at January 15, 2006 4:37 PMvI5Deo Vangelis uses a technique of recording all tracks simultaneously on tape, using a device especially manufactured for him which he calls the "Direct box".
"He explains his customary method of approach. As soon as the musical idea is there, as many keyboards as possible are connected to the control-desk, which in turn are directly connected to the applicable tracks of the multi-trackmachine.
vangelis mp3