We need to start a super thread!

I know the media is playing 'worst case scenario' - that's what they like to do. However, once the flights are going, there will still be the ripple effect trying to sort through the system.

We are scheduled:
Wed, Apr. 28th - PHL - LHR (hotels in London area - I believe they would be refundable)
Mon, May 3rd - London to Paris via Eurostar (non-refundable)
Mon, May 3rd - Sun, May 9th - Paris apartment - non-refundable
Sun, May 9th - CDG - PHL

I'm concerned about flying into London on the 28th. Even if the volcanic problem is solved, there is problem of getting everyone through the system. I realize we are 10 days away... at what point do I worry ?

Our flights are USAir frequent flier flights ... IF (a big one, I know) there are seats, we could move without penalty to flying into Paris the weekend of the 1st and then put the London part on the end. (Right now, their travel advisory goes through the 22nd - that allows for no penalty changes).

Should I just monitor the situation or should I be proactive and try to move things around ?

If you are booked on a specific flight you won't be turfed off it for someone else.

If you can't go, your travel insurance should refund you for eurostar & hotel costs. If you didn't take out travel insurance your credit card may carry some insurance if you used it to buy tickets.

the one good thing is that if things are cancelled all the airlines are giving full refunds - doesn't matter what kind of ticket. I would not suggest diverting off London - if London is closed Paris will also likely be closed. IF (big IF) things clear up this week - then the issue will be getting stranded people home on whatever seats are available and getting planes to where they are supposed to be. Right now trhere are likely a bunch of displaced planes which will create delays for the first couple days airports open as planes get to where they are supposed to be. So if you flight is on - most likely delayed

@alan, forgot about that. thanks for the reminder.

@ricardo. don't have travel insurance... the only one that would really hurt is the apartment. Moreso than that is the disappointment that little people (ie. kids) will have - they are very much looking forward to this!

@dkerr - didn't know that about refunds. good thoughts about Paris being closed also. I guess my thinking was that 3 days might help ease the congestion in the system.

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At this point, I'm just going to plod along, assuming we're going. This is yet another reason to travel light ... able to make changes on the fly! We were thinking of checking a bag, but we may re-think that plan. (or at least if we check one, it won't be the irreplaceable things).

"(Right now, their travel advisory goes through the 22nd - that allows for no penalty changes)."

Wrong. People flying on points are in a different boat that those with regular tickets. The April 22 and any other subsequent deadline does not apply to you or anyone else using frequent flyer points. If your flight is not canceled, you must pay the fee to change your flight itinerary. I know all this because I've checked specifically on this point.

US Air Airways is the absolute worst because they are not cancelling flight until the day of travel. Some airlines, like BA, are at least letting people know a day or 2 in advance.

I've been trying to get out of Istanbul last couple days - generally airport status is updated twice per day - so you really don't know 100% until day before or even day of as to whether a flight is on or off

I hope the ash thing goes away soon for all my fodorite travel friends! What a stressful situation,..not knowing...

In Ireland we are actually hoping for rain! Hoping that it will help clear the ash away. Surfmom, you have 10 days yet, so things may be ok for you.
If not, although your eurostar ticket is non-refundable, I have found them reasonable to deal with, & in these unusual circumstances they may be able to do something for you. Perhaps not a full refund, but maybe a travel credit. You could try emailing them now to check, they always answer queries, there's a form on the website, give as much info as possible. After all, if you have to cancel, someone else can use the space. Otherwise try your credit card company.

I'd leave it.

If LHR is closed CDG will probably be closed too.

At the moment the aiports are open, apparently the planes have been cicling until the airport opens.

If LHR closes while you are in the air you will e diverted to somewhere in the UK or EU, probably in the UK and then coached to London.

All Uk airports now appear to be open, although flights will take a few days to settle down and get aircraft into the right place.

I'd guess that by the 28th. things will be back to normal, or as normal as they usually are.

"I'm concerned about flying into London on the 28th. Even if the volcanic problem is solved, there is problem of getting everyone through the system. I realize we are 10 days away... at what point do I worry ?"

If things keep going the way they are you will be in very good shape. You can move many people in 8 days.