Norway Journey Begins

Chicago to London

click images to enlarge

Anticipation was at its peak as we got in our car to head to O'Hare Airport.  The Chicago weather was cooperating so we had figured there shouldn't be any delays in our departure.

Even though our flight wasn't scheduled to depart until 6:45 PM we arrived at the airport around 4 PM. after dropping our car off at a local parking lot.

Since we were on an international flight, we weren't able to print off boarding passes in advance.  That meant we also could not get our seat assignments for our second flight (more about that later).   We checked in our bags, and headed for security check-in.   One of us had TSA pre-check and the other didn't so we split up at the check-in.  All the electronic gear went to the pre-check line which made things very nice.  It took a bit to complete the check in but we were now headed towards the gate.

We decided to get a couple of burgers and fries from McDonanld's which was conveniently across from our gate.  Despite knowing we'd have dinner on the plane, we knew it would be awhile before we'd be served and this light meal would hold us over.

AA Flight 86 (ORD / LHR)

We boarded our flight and stowed our hand luggage by our seats.  We always like to have a carry-on with a couple of days worth of clothes so we don't need to open our big suitcase in the pre-cruise hotel.  It is also comforting to have some clothes for each of us, should our luggage not get to our destination at the same time we do.

We had an aisle and window seat on the right-hand side of the plane in the last cabin of the B767.   There were plenty of empty seats, and boarding was completed, so we spread out.   The plan was for me to lay down in the middle section of seats once dinner was over and try to get some sleep.  Shortly after dinner, I would put that plan in motion, but it wasn't a sound sleep.

Looking out the window, as you can see in the picture above,  it was a clear night over Chicago as we took off.  We bid good-bye to the lit up checkered city below.  Gazing out the window, the moon was reflecting off the wing.    We thought that that these were good signs of things to come.

We had dinner which was a choice of pasta or chicken, typical for an AA flight over the pond.   Our selection was one of each - the chicken was the better choice for the record.  One and a half hours before landing in London, we had a light breakfast served to us.

Good Morning from London

Opening the window shades we got glimpses of the England countryside and a clear blue sky.

Our flight arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule and we had to park until our gate was freed up.  After deplaning, we followed the signs for connecting flights.  It wasn't necessary to claim luggage or go through customs in Heathrow.  We did have to go by bus from terminal 3 to terminal 5 for British Airways.

British Airways to Oslo

While we didn't need to collect our checked bags, it was necessary to go through security.  There are two checkpoints - at the first one, they checked our tickets & passports and gave us hand-bag tags for our luggage.

The agent said that our plane was small and said the we needed to check one of our rolling bags as it wouldn't fit.  We weren't happy about that because there went our safety net of having some clothes if the other bags weren't in Oslo when we got there, but we couldn't argue.   It turned out that the plane wasn't small by our standards and the bag would have fit especially since the plane was almost empty.

Since we had made this slight detour to drop off our bag, we weren't sure where to go next.  We were directed up the lift to the security checkpoint.  Here, all large electronics needed to be removed and put in bins along with coats, shoes, belts, and 3-1-1 bags.  Even the bag itself had to be put in these large bins to go through the screening.   We collected our bins and headed off to find out what gate we were at - all we knew so far was we were departing from the "A Gates".

Our next flight would be boarding after 10 AM.   Signs indicated that it was a ten minute walk to A gates from where we were at, but the departure board still didn't have a gate posted - instead it had a time when it would be posted.  That time came and went and still no posting, then finally it appeared. We headed off to A21 where we found seats in the departure lounge.  

The plane boards by rows, but since we had status on American Airlines, we were able to board with the first group. Recall that we didn't know what our seats were for our BA flight until we checked in at Chicago.   You could pay $30 per person if you want a specific seat or you can wait until 24 hours in advance and get a seat assignment for free.   We opted for the latter.  Once again, the flight was pretty empty, so there certainly wasn't a problem with waiting until day of departure to get seats assigned.

We took off on time and shortly after that we were served  a light breakfast and beverage.  

The story continues in our next post.  Be sure to bookmark our Diary Hurtigruten Classic Voyage Bergen
 page so that you can easily navigate the entire journey.

Ethiopian 787 Dreamliner Fire Closes Heathrow

Ethiopian Dreamliner Fire at LHR      Courtesy Sky News

London Heathrow Suspended Flights Temporarily

According to London Heathrow airport website, a fire broke out on a parked Ethiopian Boeing 787 Dreamliner causing a suspension in flights in and out of the airport.  As of this writing, there is a resumption of flights, but they are advising you check with your airlines for possible delays.

The good news is that noone appears to have been injured as there were no passengers onboard at the time of the incident.   Several fire brigades responded to the scene and runways were closed while the fire was contained.

UPDATED: 12 July 2013 - 1:45 PM Eastern The runways are now fully re-opened, following an earlier internal fire on-board an aircraft. All arrivals and departures were earlier temporarily suspended while airport fire crews attended to the incident. Flights are now operating, but will be subject to delay. Please check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to Heathrow. The Metropolitan Police Service have advised that there were no passengers on board and no reported injuries. You can keep up-to-date by following Heathrow on Twitter and Facebook or receive individual flight status updates on the move by using our mobile app or our SMS text service.

Boeing Dreamliner Plagued with Problems

This just adds to the string of problems that have been reported with the new aircraft developed by Boeing.  Earlier this year, the FAA grounded all Dreamliners operated by U.S. companies until they could be deemed safe following problems with the batteries onboard.  Boeing found what it believed was a solution to the problem and flights resumed.

Learn More: Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Potential Travel Woes for Europe

Cabin crew dispute - ballot result

UPDATE:  MAY 13, 2011 --  CABIN DISPUTE IS OVER

British Airways and Unite, the union representing the majority of cabin crew, reached an agreement to settle the dispute.  The members need to vote, but with the support of the union leaders, the agreement is expected to pass.    This ends the potential threat which could have impacted cruise vacations for the summer holiday months.



Last April, Europe's airspace was empty for days on end due to the volcano in Iceland.   This year, British airspace could once again be void of the usual number of planes if the threatened strike action against British Airways proceeds.

Are You Covered?

As always, our recommendation is to purchase Travel Insurance for your cruise vacation. It may not be too late to take out travel insurance, but check the policy carefully for any clauses on industrial action.  If you have any doubts after reading the policy, check with the insurance company directly to be certain you are covered.

British Airways Plans

British Airways has the following statement posted on their website:

Last updated: 12:00, Tuesday 29 March 2011 (UK time)

Unite, the trade union for British Airways cabin crew, has announced that its strike ballot has closed in favour of strike action.

Unite has not set any dates for the proposed strike action and we remain in talks with them.
If a strike does take place, we have strong contingency plans in place. We will:

• Operate a normal schedule at London Gatwick and London City
• Aim to fly 100 per cent of our longhaul flights to and from London Heathrow
• Aim to fly the majority of our shorthaul flights to and from London Heathrow

More details on our contingency plans

As all our flights are operating as normal at the moment, any changes to bookings are subject to the original fare rules.  Unite must give seven days’ notice of any proposed strike action.

Busy Easter Holiday Time

Could Easter Holiday travel be impacted?   The strike vote was held on March 28th, and any action must be taken within 28 days, or a new ballot would be required.   Since the 28-day period from the last ballot ends on Easter Monday, April 25, there definitely is a chance holiday travel could be impacted.   This year, there are an unprecedented four bank holidays (thanks to the extra one for the royal wedding).

Cruise Line Contingencies 

Royal Caribbean International and other cruise lines, that will be operating ships in Europe at the time, are putting plans in place to help stranded passengers connect with their ships.   In the past, the cruise line has re-booked flights on other carriers or found alternate transport means for their guests on fly-cruise packages.

Unless the strike occurs later, the impact on cruises will be minimal as the ships will just be transitioning from the Caribbean starting in April.   May and June will be the kick-off of the busy Mediterranean cruise season, so any action that takes place later, could impact those passengers.

The fact that the British Airways still plans to fly the long-haul flights, even if a strike occurs, should lessen the impact on overseas guests.

We will monitor this situation, and publish additional details, should the situation drastically change.

Flights Resume in UK Airspace

UK Civil Aviation Authority

Allows Flights to Resume 

After careful evaluation, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), working closely with aircraft manufacturers and other agencies, has recommended a gradual reopening of UK airspace.

So after six days of ash, Why is it Now Safe to Fly?   This BBC News article, Flights resume as ash fear recedes, says it better than I could.  This was uncharted territory, as the previous time this volcano exploded  was before the dawn of aviation as we know it today.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK’s independent specialist regulator with oversight of aviation safety, today issues new guidance on the use of airspace. This is issued in conjunction with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and covers the Anglo Irish Functional Airspace Block (FAB).

The new guidance allows a phased reintroduction from 2200 tonight of much of the airspace which is currently closed due to the volcanic ash plume over the UK. There will continue to be some ‘no fly zones’ where concentrations of ash are at levels unsafe for flights to take place, but very much smaller than the present restrictions. Furthermore, the Met Office advise that the ‘no fly zones’ do not currently cover the UK.       Read More

The airlines and airports are working closely together with CAA to resume flights while maintaining passenger safety.  Despite the reopening of the airspace, passengers are encouraged to contact their airline prior to going to the airport.  

British Airways issued the following statement:

UK airspace reopening

We are very pleased that the aviation authorities have opened UK airspace to enable us to begin the task of bringing our stranded customers home, as well as working towards normal operations.

As we have many aircraft and crew out of position, it will still take some considerable time before we can restore our full flying programme. We are working hard to see how many flights we can operate in the days ahead to help our customers.

At this stage we are looking to operate all longhaul flights departing from Heathrow and Gatwick on Wednesday April 21.

Please check your flight status before departing for the airport.

Check the status of your flight

DO NOT GO TO THE AIRPORT IF YOUR FLIGHT IS CANCELLED.

There will be shorthaul cancellations to and from London airports until 1300 (UK time) on Wednesday 21 April, and possibly beyond that time. We hope to have further updates soon.

BAA Airports BAA owns and operates a number of airports in the UK.

• London Heathrow
• London Stansted
• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Aberdeen
• Southampton
• Naples

Please consult the following websites for the latest updates:

MetOffice      EUROCONTROL      NATS    CAA      Track Flights Live Over Europe

Related Blog Posts:

Consult the following for links to Airports, Cruise Line Announcements and other Agencies

Ash Continues But Some Planes Fly

Hopes Rise for UK Flight Resumption

Europe Travel Woes Continue

Erupting Volcano Grounds Flights

Weather 

BBC News:  Scientists assess flight risks from Iceland volcano ash

We will continue to monitor this situation and bring you updates on significant events.   Between posts, please use the links provided for latest information.

Ash Continues But Some Planes Fly

North America & Europe Flights   Courtesy: BBC

Limited Flights Allowed

The picture above, courtesy BBC, shows a snapshot of the airspace between the U.S. and Europe.   The red zone is the predicted ash cloud pattern which is still blanketing much of the region.   Some flights were permitted to take to the skies, mainly flying above the ash cloud or in areas not currently in the wind patterns.

Classifying  the situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland as "dynamic" NATS made the following statement:

Based on the latest Met Office information, part of Scottish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 1300-1900 today, and also south to Newcastle Airport. Restrictions will remain in place over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.

Overnight the CAA, in line with new guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decided flights above the ash cloud will be permitted in the UK; between 1300-1900 this will enable aircraft movements above 20,000ft in UK airspace.

Please consult the following websites for the latest updates:

MetOffice             EUROCONTROL          National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats)


BBC News Article:   Europe starts to resume flights

While there was good news for a few airports across Europe,  London's Heathrow International Airport, the main hub in Europe, remained closed posting the following notice on their website:


Flights suspended until further notice
Last updated: 09:55 BST, Tuesday 20 April 2010
Based on advice from NATS, all flights to and from Heathrow remain suspended until further notice.

EU Officials continue to work on a solution for this growing problem.   Every day the planes remain grounded costs millions of dollars and further extends the recovery period.   

The Cruise Line industry has also been impacted by this natural disaster in many ways.   Passengers have been stranded at airports and unable to join their cruises;  others have not been able to return home following their cruises;   crew members have also suffered the same fate;   there have been long hours for everyone involved in keeping the cruise ships moving.  This is a logistical nightmare not seen in this magnitude since the September 11th terrorist attacks.  

This time of year is typically when the cruise lines reposition their ships from the Caribbean to Europe.   Some have departed already for those journeys while a few will be leaving in the next several days.   Cunard has regularly scheduled crossings between New York and England.   As of this past weekend, there had been some availability on those cruises, and the cruise line's reservations systems were flooded with calls, both from people seeking passage as well as passengers looking for assistance.   Most Trans-Atlantic crossings in the next month are currently sold out and wait-listed.    Cunard indicated that the wait-list had over 1,000 names for example.

Related Blog Posts:

Consult the following for links to Airports, Cruise Line Announcements and other Agencies

Hopes Rise for UK Flight Resumption

Europe Travel Woes Continue

Erupting Volcano Grounds Flights

Weather 

We will continue to monitor this situation and bring you updates on significant events.   Between posts, please use the links provided for latest information.

Erupting Volcano Grounds Flights

Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Erupts (ICELANDIC COAST GUARD/AFP/ICG)

 Iceland's Volcano Disrupts Flights

Latest Updates:  Europe Travel Woes Continue

Dangerous ash spews from Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, in this photo courtesy of Icelandic Coast Guard, causing widespread flight cancellations across Europe.  Not since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has there been such a major disruption in air traffic.

Non-emergency flights in Britain were canceled, and most will stay grounded until at least midday Friday. Authorities in Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Belgium also closed their air space. France shut down 24 airports, including the main hub of Charles de Gaulle in Paris, and several flights out of the U.S. had to return, others were canceled or rerouted around the ash cloud.

Current Volcanic Events - Iceland (Credit: NOAA)

It isn't known when flights can resume. According to scientists in Iceland, the erupting ash cloud could continue for days. The ash plume drifted at between 20,000 feet and 36,000 feet towards Northern Europe 1200 miles away. 

Nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC) around the world are responsible for advising international aviation of the location and movement of clouds of volcanic ash.

Current Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAA) from London and Toulouse 
London VAA: Issued advisories | Issued graphics     Toulouse VAA: Issued advisories

Ash Plume across the North Atlantic (Credit: NASA Earth Observatory)

Volcanic ash consists of microscopic rocky particles that pose a threat to aircraft  because they can affect the pilot's visibility and get sucked into airplane engines, causing them to shut down. The ash can also clog other vital instruments, such as air speed indicators, which control the aircraft.

More information from NOAA about volcanoes.

Flights Canceled

Impact on Major European Airports

Flights between Iceland and the rest of Europe as well as between the United States and Northern Europe are greatly affected due to safety closure of extensive airspace between Iceland and mainland Europe to avoid airborne volcanic material from this large eruption in Iceland.

Latest Updates:  EUROCONTROL Air Traffic Control
Also consult individual airports and airline carrier's websites.

Keflavik International Airport is not closed. Flights to North America are scheduled, but many flights to Europe have been delayed or cancelled.

London's Heathrow International  Airport halted flights stranding tens of thousands of passengers as a result of the billowing ash cloud.  All non-emergency flights in British airspace have been canceled until at least 7 A.M. Friday, 16 April.  Volcanic Ash Advisory from London VAAC

Copenhagen Airport also closed all inbound and outbound traffic from late afternoon today until at least 12 P.M. Friday 16 April.

The Irish Aviation Authority has indicated that restrictions in Irish airspace will continue until 11:00 A.M.  tomorrow at a minimum, effectively stopping flight departures and arrivals at Dublin Airport and the 3 other international and 7 other regional airports.   IAA Lifts Restrictions on Shannon and Cork

Oslo Airport   has canceled all flights to and from Oslo, Norway until further notice. Based on weather forecasts, they don't anticipate a change in conditions for 16 April.

Air traffic at all Swedavia airports is now canceled. The forecast is that the situation will be the same during Friday. Most likely there will be very large disturbances in air traffic then as well.

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport   came to a complete standstill at 19:00 15 April as all air traffic in and out of the Netherlands came to a gradual halt.

Belgian airspace closed due to the volcanic ash.  All flights in and out of Brussels Airport were suspended from today Thursday 15 April at 16:30 until Friday 16 April at 18:00.

Air traffic is restricted in all 25 Finnish airports operated by Finavia. Practically, the air traffic is completely shut down.  As of the latest update, the restrictions are approximately valid until Saturday 17April, 3 pm.  Information about the situation on other airports in Finland: www.finavia.fi. Airlines contact information can be found at Helsinki Airport website.

Poland's Krakow International Airport is now included in the no-fly zone, so flights are canceled.   This brings great concern to Polish Officials awaiting arrivals of many world leaders for Sunday's state funeral of President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria, in the southern city of Krakow.   President Obama is among the dignitaries expected to attend the funeral.  

Some flights are taking off from Moscow's airport, but not those to Northern Europe. 

This list of airports is not complete - there are just too many impacted by this eruption

The closures are causing a cascading effect on air traffic across the world.   Cruises will be impacted as passengers become stranded due to the flight cancellations and delays.   We will post updates from the major cruise lines as information becomes available.  Contact your travel insurance company if your flight is impacted by this grounding.

United  Airlines has canceled all flights on April 15 from the United States to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels and Moscow. United flights from those cities to the United States have been canceled for April 16.  Waivers have been issued allowing for flights to affected countries.  Other Airlines have done likewise - check with your carrier if you are scheduled to fly to or from Europe.

Cruise Line Announcements

• Celebrity Cruises: UK Airport Disruption
• Cunard is unaffected as both ships are mid-cruise 
• Holland America is working directly with affected passengers
• Norwegian Cruise Line:  UK airport disruption due to Icelandic volcanic eruption
• Princess Cruises: Update on Flight Cancellations Due to Volcanic Eruption 
• Royal Caribbean Important Updates 

UPDATED INFORMATION:  Europe Travel Woes Continue


Cruise lines with passengers affected by the flight delays are monitoring the situation.  In some cases, such as Royal Caribbean, rebooking fees are being waived.  In other cases, departure times may be adjusted to allow air-sea passengers to arrive before departure.  Continue to monitor links provided here for updates on conditions and any itinerary changes.   

Your travel agent or cruise line may need to contact you directly, so be sure they have your contact information.




Stay tuned for more on this developing story.