Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 15:20     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:I'm sitting on Eurostar to Paris right now, and will fly back to US from CDG tomorrow morning. I have colleagues who are stuck in London until Tuesday now. I tried initially to get United to rebook me from a UK airport, and I was offered Sunday at the earliest.

They added additional Eurostar trains today, to offload some of the air travel demand from LHR. I doubt too many people reading DCUM are in my position, but sharing in case you are. I suspect more disruptions and delays in coming days as well...so fingers-crossed my flights actually go tomorrow.


Good Luck to you and all of us caught in this flightmare!
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 14:55     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:https://www.thedailybeast.com/british-authorities-probing-possible-putin-sabotage-after-heathrow-airport-fire/

Apparently may be Russian sabotage…


My guess is Ukrainian false flag.


Great stuff as always on DCUM.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 14:47     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:https://www.thedailybeast.com/british-authorities-probing-possible-putin-sabotage-after-heathrow-airport-fire/

Apparently may be Russian sabotage…


My guess is Ukrainian false flag.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 14:05     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:I'm sitting on Eurostar to Paris right now, and will fly back to US from CDG tomorrow morning. I have colleagues who are stuck in London until Tuesday now. I tried initially to get United to rebook me from a UK airport, and I was offered Sunday at the earliest.

They added additional Eurostar trains today, to offload some of the air travel demand from LHR. I doubt too many people reading DCUM are in my position, but sharing in case you are. I suspect more disruptions and delays in coming days as well...so fingers-crossed my flights actually go tomorrow.


Yup- first rule for situations like this is to get out of the center of the fray and then try and regroup from the outside. Think about the Uber/cab situation right outside of a concert after it's over, versus if you walk 1/2 mile away and pick up an Uber there. Smart move to get outside of London/LHR.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 13:44     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless it is an absolute emergency, I would just cancel the entire trip.


WTF. Don't do this. Figure out alternatives.


With multiple stopovers and a multi day delay in what may only be a week long trip? Uh, no. Most hotels will only charge you the first night of a cancelled reservation (unless you foolishly booked non refundable) and even that good travel insurance would reimburse.


We dont have your itinerary.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 13:43     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
I'm sitting on Eurostar to Paris right now, and will fly back to US from CDG tomorrow morning. I have colleagues who are stuck in London until Tuesday now. I tried initially to get United to rebook me from a UK airport, and I was offered Sunday at the earliest.

They added additional Eurostar trains today, to offload some of the air travel demand from LHR. I doubt too many people reading DCUM are in my position, but sharing in case you are. I suspect more disruptions and delays in coming days as well...so fingers-crossed my flights actually go tomorrow.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 13:35     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Apparently Heathrow gets 220,000 passengers per day so my mind boggles over how this sort of disruption can be handled.


Well, they haven’t answered the phone for 12 hours so I am not sure it has been seemless. That said, I agree the logistics must be nightmarish.


Must say I was surprised how easily I got through to United today. Thought that would be a nightmare.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 12:41     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
https://www.thedailybeast.com/british-authorities-probing-possible-putin-sabotage-after-heathrow-airport-fire/

Apparently may be Russian sabotage…
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 12:39     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:Apparently Heathrow gets 220,000 passengers per day so my mind boggles over how this sort of disruption can be handled.


Well, they haven’t answered the phone for 12 hours so I am not sure it has been seemless. That said, I agree the logistics must be nightmarish.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 12:35     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Apparently Heathrow gets 220,000 passengers per day so my mind boggles over how this sort of disruption can be handled.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 12:32     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Just received offer from United to change tonight’s flight. I’ve changed to a flight via Frankfurt at 6.20pm tomorrow but with a back up plan of an 11.30pm flight to Paris booked with points so cancellable. Plan B would mean changing from a London/Paris trip to Paris only.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 12:32     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Waiting for them to officially cancel so i can try to rebook. They aren’t answering any phones


I'd get yourself to Paris or Belgium or Frankfurt on a flight tomorrow- wouldn't necessarily count on Heathrow being open on Saturday if they already closed it all of Friday. Then either train over or connect to London City or Gatwick/Stansted/Luton. But gonna be tough, those connector flights gonna book up quick, there is so much volume to LHR.


Yes, I am wondering if I just buy myself a ticket on a direct flight tomorrow, and I don’t bother waiting to rebook?


I’d absolutely book something else myself and worry about reimbursement/refund if any later. Rebooking thousands of passengers is going to take forever. When the $hit hits the fan you have to be very proactive. The airline is in no rush to get you there quickly. Sure they’ll get you there but it may be 5 days from now.


Agreed, of course depends on your risk tolerance and cash- and also hard to find if you are looking for 3+ tickets. But for today, looks like your best bet will be on Aer Lingus through Boston or JFK, and then book a separate flight probably on Ryan Air to STN or LGW from DUB.


Thanks for the advice! I did book my own flight out of pocket, but then Ba booked me on a flight a day earlier. I will see if the ba flight materializes and see if i can get any refund or vouchers on aer lingus. If not, it is only money…
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 12:29     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Yep, BA just booked me on a flight tonight to dub via lhr. I will be pleasantly surprised if a) the flight takes off, and b) I connect successfully in Heathrow tomorrow.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 12:25     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Color me surprised. Heathrow apparently opening for a few flights today and trying to run normal operations tomorrow. Seems like full operations tomorrow will be tough just because of having to move people/planes around. But good news. Hope everyone who is traveling gets where they need to be.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cly24zvvwxlt
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2025 11:35     Subject: LHR Closed 3/21
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless it is an absolute emergency, I would just cancel the entire trip.


WTF. Don't do this. Figure out alternatives.


With multiple stopovers and a multi day delay in what may only be a week long trip? Uh, no. Most hotels will only charge you the first night of a cancelled reservation (unless you foolishly booked non refundable) and even that good travel insurance would reimburse.