Airline flights to Europe?
 

I heard that some airlines will cut out service until the end of the year if we go to war. Anyone know the specifics on this??<BR>I plan on flying to Paris on a tour in September (American Airlines), and have tried to get out of it, but can't. They are holding my money hostage. Oh well. BUT this may give me a foot hold. Hope someone knows something.

&lt;&lt;I heard that some airlines will cut out service until the end of the year if we go to war.&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>From what source?<BR><BR>I think that trans-atlantic air travel is vital to the everyday function of business and life in general on both sides of the ocean.<BR><BR>Basic laws of supply and demand is oging to keep most trans-atlantic (and other global) air traffic in operation.<BR><BR>At least as far as I can see in my crystal ball.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR>

See the link below for some information as to what the airlines are planning to do with regard to ticket changes, etc., if war starts or the threat level is raised to red.<BR><BR>http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/03/07...eut/index.html

Dear Luv,<BR>Quoting in part an article on the internet from AAL, 3/7/03, <BR><BR>&quot;American Airlines created a Comfort Level for customers, giving them needed reassurance in knowing they can change their domestic and international travel plans without standard change fees during this time of uncertainty.<BR>In the event of a military action or a Homeland Security-issued Level Red Alert, American's Comfort Level will offer flexibility to all customers, including those with U. S. domestic and international tickets, by allowing them to make a one-time change to their travel plans without paying the standard change fee. This policy applies to tickets purchased any time for travel within 60 days after the start of military actiion or Level Red Alert. To take advanatage of this policy, customers must make the change within 30 days of the start of military action or Level Red Alert but no later than their originally scheduled date of travel. Travel may be rescheduled for any date through Dec. 31, 2003.&quot;<BR><BR>In the event of military action or Level Red Alert, AA will communicate publicly the effective and discontinue dates of this new short-term policy.... etc., etc.&quot;<BR>

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/03/07/airlines.travel.war.reut/index.html<BR><BR>This CNN article has been cited on more than one thread here over the weekend, and I think it offers a sharply contrasting view to the statement<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;They are holding my money hostage.&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>I think that the airlines are likely to be the victims in the next year, not the passengers. Tickets are purchased voluntarily, right? And airlines virtually always offer you a choice of two prices: the &quot;real full price&quot; from which you can have all your money back at no charge at any time, even after the flight - - and a considerably discounted price if you elect to observe certain restrictions.<BR><BR>The CNN article makes no mention of the airlines deserting their passengers - - only trying to offer empathy and flexibility in the restrictions agreed to by their customers, in the case of (real and paranoid) fears.<BR><BR>Will &quot;we&quot; be as loyal to them, as they will apparently be to us?<BR>

Why have you tried to get out of the trip? If we go to war the airlines are offering the chance of re-booking with no penalty. But, we have to go to war. Your question about airlines cutting service has more to do with how much demand there is--just like after 9/11. Airlines already HAVE cut number of flights after 9/11 by about 30%.

In going to that web site and reading that article I saw at the bottom where the US will close certain tourist attractions in case of a red alert. Does anyone know if the UK will do the same? Will they close the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, or Hampton Court?

Thanks everyone for the reply. Unfortunately I booked with a tour company, who has in exchange for my money, bought my ticket. I can switch my travel plans and get a voucher, but it won't help me, as I am going with family to Greece next year w/o a tour company (they are greek and need no tour...) I guess we will see what happens. I guess if the war is bad enough, they hopefully will work something out with us.

Lets cross our fingers and wait Luv2Travel. I am supposed to go to Europe in June, I already have my trip planned,and cant wait to spend a week in Manarola,Cinque Terre, but unless things gets out of hand, I will be there,walking in the trails, eating prosciutto and drinking good wine..If is not possible, then C'est la vie, and plan to go in september.Of course my jet setter litlle grandaughter will be disappointed because she will not be able to come and must go to school.

Luv2Travel, I don't know which company you booked through, but all companies that I know of will refund your money if THEY cancel the trip. They will cancel if the state department issues a statement saying that it is unsafe for US citizens to travel to the region you are traveling to. These companies certainly do not want anyone to get hurt while on their tour, so they won't go if they truly feel that it is dangerous.<BR><BR>I am in the same predicament that you are in but I am going to go unless the tour is cancelled by the company.

Even if you booked with a tour company, you still have some rights if the airline they have booked you on is offering a refund, etc.<BR><BR>Also, did you buy travel insurance or waiver insurance through the tour company (most tour companies offer waiver insurance for a very modest fee). If you have not purchased any type of waiver policy or travel insurance policy yet, I would do so immediately. Some of them are covering terrorism and acts of war in their policies with certain limitations. Try travelinsured.com. I just purchased some through my travel agent in case something happens while my mom are I are in Paris and London at the end of this month and we get stranded. Hopefully by the time you travel, this nightmare will be behind us for the most part.

As I understand, the US Government has taken 47 aircrafts (including 747s, 767s) from the airlines for military use (transportation of troops) and that is the reason for alot of the changes and cancellation of a lot of overseas flights. This information was given to me from my airline because my return flight was cancelled and I had been rebooked on an earlier flight. The airline has given me the option of day before out or day after in and also the option of full refund. Check the airline your flying for more details.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.

That sounds a lot like an airline making an excuse. There is an excess of planes right now.<BR><BR> Keith

Planes would presumably be only one part of the equation. Crews, time &quot;slots&quot; (not only for operating the flights, but aircraft out for maintenance), different security and cargo demands associated with carrying troops?<BR>

I dont know what the actual logostics are but I have a family member who works for the airline I was booked on he told me that that was the reason for flights getting cancelled/moved. The airlines are taking the hits by having to allow passengers to be refunded on non-refundable tickets, and altering travel without penalties. I wasnt happy about my flight being moved up by 7 hours but as I understand, the airline also has the right to change scheduling without prior notice.

NW airlines said it is using at least 5 of their 747s for troop and military equipment transport right now, so that is 5 less airplanes to use for public travel on their various European routes. It has impacted people for sure, I had three cousins who were scheduled to fly to Europe this week have NW call them and switch them to other flights.

Coincidentally, I was just talking to someone last week at a reception who works for the military in transportation arrangements, and he said the military doesn't just take over planes from private airlines == that they get paid a regular retainer every year for the possibility the military may need some, and often they are never used. <BR><BR>He said that isn't done very often and that there would be more flight delays or cancellations due to weather than that, and I shouldn't worry about it for next summer, in any case (me being self-centered was inquiring about whether I should buy a ticket for June/July on an American or foreign carrier for that reason). He was also somewhat skeptical and thought they might be using that as an excuse for delaying or cancelling flights, at least more than they were actually being used by the military. Now, he could be wrong on that, I have no idea, but it eased my mind about my flight next June some.

I don't know about other airlines but here is the list for AA.<BR>The following AA aircraft are assigned to the CRAF and subject to callup at anytime during program activation.<BR>Boeing 767-200 (18)<BR><BR>N312AA N325AA<BR>N313AA N328AA<BR>N315AA N329AA<BR>N316AA N330AA<BR>N317AA N332AA<BR>N321AA N335AA<BR>N322AA N336AA<BR>N323AA N338AA<BR>N324AA N339AA<BR><BR>Boeing 767-300 (49)<BR><BR>N351AA N361AA N371AA N381AA N391AA<BR>N352AA N362AA N372AA N382AN N392AN<BR>N353AA N363AA N373AA N383AN N393AN<BR>N354AA N39364 N374AA N384AA N394AN<BR>N355AA N39365 N7375A N385AM N395AN<BR>N39356 N366AA N376AN N386AM N396AN<BR>N357AA N39367 N377AN N387AM N397AN<BR>N358AA N368AA N378AN N388AA N398AN<BR>N359AA N369AA N379AA N389AA N399AN<BR>N360AA N370AA N380AN N390AA <BR><BR>Boeing 777-200 (23)<BR><BR>N770AN N775AN N780AN N785AN N790AN<BR>N771AN N776AN N781AN N786AN N791AN<BR>N772AN N777AN N782AN N787AL N792AN<BR>N773AN N778AN N783AN N788AN <BR>N774AN N779AN N784AN N789AN <BR><BR>Airbus 300-600 (10)<BR><BR>N14065 N70072<BR>N14068 N70073<BR>N18066 N70074<BR>N25071 N8067A<BR>N33069 N90070<BR><BR>The program has three stages. We're at the first one now, so there really is not much disruption of service, at most AA will change equipment in some cases. But, if the callup goes to level three, obviously, the international flights would be very much effected. As I said, I don't know how many planes the other majors are commited to, but I would assume, it would be relatively equal.

Well, I personally hope a lot of people cancel their plans to go to Paris next month, and then we can get a free upgrade on Air France to 1st class! Yippee!!!Helaine

Boatgirl, Don't hold your breath. I just flew back from LHR today (on United). Coach was less than half full, business class maybe 1/3 full. No free upgrades to be had.

Speaking of free upgrades, does anyone have a good strategy for getting a free upgrade to business/first class? <BR><BR>Is there a &quot;right&quot; way to ask for one? Thanks.

Interesting - this week after booking a flight with United to Europe and quoted $2,000 plus I then received my ticket and the price had jumped to $3,313. Of course I have cancelled with United and we are all flying Virgin. In these troubled airline times, this has been an interesting change of loyalty for our family!