ha ha, will take that as "good planning" then.

I am also flying Manchester to cancun 27th November TOM144, seat in premium cabin, you mentioned subtle differences ? I haven't flown Thomson before am I going to be disappointed.

Rotty,

There was a technical problem with an aircraft in Cancun that was delayed by around 24 hours on Wednesday. It's the knock-on effects from that that's causing problems. The aircraft (G-OBYD) due to operate TOM105 is the one delayed operating TOM197 from Cancun and is due in at 11am. TOM is expected it to depart at 1240 from MAN, so not as long as the 24 hours other passengers have been delayed.

Darren

Feebee,

As mentioned above, you won't be dissapointed. If anything, you'll probably be surprised! The subtle differences are the moon lighting on the FCA and not the TOM, the position of the tray tables, 1" more seat pitch on the TOM etc. Everything else is essentially the same.

Darren

thanks for the reply

Dazbo HT Mod wrote:

humanist wrote:

At the moment all there is, is 250+ people sitting on their cases in Manchester check in hall

Who'll soon be off to local hotels for the day. The reason for the delay is the late inbound flight from Cancun (TOM197) that's not due in until 0720 tomorrow. That's why their flight is delayed 24 hours. The aircraft that should have been used is G-OBYD so I assume it's got a technoical problem in Cancun and is waiting repair.
Darren

An overnight hotel stay in Manchester does not wash when you only have a week in resort though Darren. Looking at the latest the delay has extended to over 27 hours, a pretty dismal performance. Looking around current Thomson long haul departures at various airports, they are not having a particularly good time. Delays of 10 hours quite common and a long haul cancellation. Looking back it has been a ragged season for long haul reliability with Cancun seeming to be a poisoned chalice. Letting an aircraft carry a delay for three / four days of its operation is as unprofessional as it can get, but common practice.

Not sure where EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004 fits in here, but I will certainly be finding out.

humanist,

I totally agree, having been on the wrong end of a 52 hour delay myself due to a grounded aircraft (so I know what they're going through), not with Thomson though I'll add. However technical issues occur to aircraft, just ask Qantas at the moment! There's little that can be done as aircraft are very expensive pieces of machinery and they can't afford to have one sat around waiting just in case of a problem. Plus, with having an aircraft grounded for the best part of 2 months due to a landing incident, there's less slack in the system to cope with other issues. That's the cause of the current issues. All the airline can do is make passengers mixed up in delays as comfortable as possible for the duration. I know it's not ideal for those involved, but there's not a lot that can be done. By providing delayed passengers hotel accommodation, the regulations are more than covered. Lost days of holidays are covered under insurance. The logistics and costs of dealing wth these types of delays to the airline is considerable. They want it resolved as quickly as possible too!

Darren

Dazbo HT Mod wrote:

humanist,

By providing delayed passengers hotel accommodation, the regulations are more than covered. Lost days of holidays are covered under insurance.
Darren

Hi Darren,

Having a quick read about that EU regulation I am not at all sure they will be able to but people off with a night in a hotel and couple of meal vouchers. Looking around other airline policies, Thomson seem to ignore their responsiblities.

Also, although people do, I see no reason why an individual should have to insure against possible shortcomings of a service provider. Seems slightly bizzare to me, peculiar to the holiday / airline business

humanist,

There's plenty of topics already covering this, but as the cause of the delay is a technical issue with the aircraft, it's classed as unforscene. Therefore, as long as the airline provide food and drink for delayed passengers and accomodation as needed, that's all they need to do. They aren't ignoring their responsiblities at all. If that's the case, passengers wouldn't have been given hotel accomodation. They are keeping passengers as comfortable as possible until the situation is resolved. What more can they do? Everything else is covered under passengers insurance. Again, it's unfortunate delays like these happen, but it happens from time to time.

Darren

humanist
Hopefully your daughters flight should be away soon. Tell her to claim off her travel insurance for the delay. The other thing is she could put a complaint into Thomsons when she returns. It might work but it will be a battle.
Bit late now but if it was me and I was only going for the week I would have cancelled and claimed it back from the insurance.
Insurance doesn't just cover possible short comings of a supplier. It's main purpose is to cover for medical eventualities.
I agree with Darren that the EU regs have been covered unless your daughter can prove that they weren't extraordinary circumstances.
I hope she does enjoy what's left of her holiday.

My brother is still stuck in Punta Cana, they were put up in the riu naiboa last night which according to his message is "pretty damn s**** tbh"

As I don't wish to hijack this any further, my last post on the subject.

EC 261/2004 does not accept technical issues as unforseen circumstances. Have a look at the Air Users Council website. The airlines have appealed this and cases are on hold until 2012 what a final judgement is expected. I await the outcome with eager anticipation

If airlines can pass compensation for their own shortcoming and delays off to other companies as an insurance claim, it absolves them of any responsibility. For a company the size of TUI simply letting a 24 hour delay simply run its course is terrible, and I know it has happened time and time again throughout this season. Are Thomson not spending money on an ageing soon to be retired long haul fleet?

Still a great forum for info though :-)

humanist wrote:

Are Thomson not spending money on an ageing soon to be retired long haul fleet?

Thomson Airways have 8 Boeing 787-800's on order with options for 13 more, the first of which is due for delivery in January 2012. They would have been in service over 2 years ago had it not been for delays at Boeing. All aircraft, from brand new to older airframes have technical problems from time to time. All aircraft in their fleet are highly maintained to manufactures requirments and meet all requirements of the CAA. They wouldn't be given a certificate of airworthyness unless that was the case.

Darren

Hi
Flying with First Choice/thomson to Cuba (Holguin) in February.
Does anyone know the best seats and the ones to avoid in star class premier.
Steve

StevePn,

Seating is personal preference so it's whatever you prefer really. All seats offer the same in terms of seat pitch and facilities. There aren't really and better or worse ones. The exception are the front rows, some don't like the bulkhead in front. Depending on the flight you're on and if it's a former Thomsonfly or First Choice aircraft (please specify flight numbers so we can check for you), row 9 in the premium cabin on the ex-FCA's don't have a window. You'll find further aircraft information on our What Aircraft? guide (link below).

Darren

If the delay is as long as you said, you have a right to a full refund of the cost of the flight ticket plus potentially compensation according to the regulations 261/2004. What the price of the air ticket is, is the key question. But the air ticket is only part of the cost of the holiday. What about the accommodation cost? That would need claiming of the Tour Operator as per their Ts and Cs.

So you have one set of Regulations for flights as per 261/2004 and one set of regulation covered in the Ts and Cs of the Tour Operator. What takes precedence over what I am not sure but you surely can't make a claim against both - it surely has to be one or the other

Mark

Hi
TOM 0094 LGW-HOG (070211)
Steve

Mark, I thought the refund of the air ticket price, after 5 hour delay, was only applicable if you cancel the holiday?

StevePn,

TOM094/5 are a former First Choice Boeing 767-300/ER (winglets). Apart from row 9 that doesn't have a window, the remaining rows are pretty much the same so it's whatever you prefer.

Darren