Turning left for less Turning left for less
  • Home
  • Beginners guide
  • Reviews
    • Hotel reviews
    • Flight reviews
    • Airline Lounge Reviews
    • Travel companies, luggage, travel tech & apps
    • Destination Dining
  • Destinations
    • Barbados
    • Las Vegas
    • Alicante
    • Marbella
    • All other destinations
  • About us
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact us
    • Privacy & Disclosure
      • Join our email list & data protection
    • Youtube and Podcast
  • BOOKING ENQUIRY
Categories
  • Air France
  • Airlines
  • Airport hotels
  • American Airlines
  • Avios
  • Black Friday 23
  • Black Friday 24
  • British Airways
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Business class
  • Cashback
  • competition
  • Credit cards
  • cruises
  • Destinations
  • Emirates
  • Etihad
  • Finnair
  • First class
  • General
  • Guide
  • Heathrow and Gatwick
  • Hilton
  • hotels
  • IHG
  • London hotels
  • Lounges
  • Marriott
  • Michelin star dining
  • News
  • Offers
  • Oneworld
  • parking
  • Qatar
  • reader questions
  • Reader review
  • Reviews
  • Skyteam
  • Star Alliance
  • Starwood
  • This Week in Travel
  • Trains
  • UK country hotels
  • UK hotels
  • USA
  • Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Turning left for less Turning left for less
Turning left for less Turning left for less
  • Home
  • Beginners guide
  • Reviews
    • Hotel reviews
    • Flight reviews
    • Airline Lounge Reviews
    • Travel companies, luggage, travel tech & apps
    • Destination Dining
  • Destinations
    • Barbados
    • Las Vegas
    • Alicante
    • Marbella
    • All other destinations
  • About us
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact us
    • Privacy & Disclosure
      • Join our email list & data protection
    • Youtube and Podcast
  • BOOKING ENQUIRY
  • News

What happened with Monday’s ATC failure and what can you do if you are affected?

  • 28/08/2023
  • Michele

As you will know, if you have watched the news or been travelling today, there was a major system failure for UK ATC, which resulted in huge delays and cancellations. I was stuck at Jersey on board the BA Cityflyer to London City for 4 hours, but luckily, we got away eventually. We even had to evacuate the terminal at one point thanks to a fire alarm, which was when it all started to feel very surreal!

Waiting at Jersey

 

In this post:

  • What went wrong with Air Traffic Control?
  • What to do if you are flying from tomorrow onwards
  • For those whose flights were delayed or cancelled today

What went wrong with Air Traffic Control?

Swanwick ATC centre where I used to work (credit: NATS)

I worked in ATC for 23 years, so here are a few of my thoughts on what happened.  

This morning, the flight planning system failed for the UK, which affected both ATC centres in Scotland and Swanwick and the airports. The centres control aircraft once they have taken off, when they are inbound to the UK before they are handed over to the airport and also flights which are overflying the UK.

Controllers need basic information on each flight to populate their display, such as the flight number, aircraft type, destination and route. When the system initially failed, it was not an issue as it can store 4 hours’ worth of data, so everything continued as normal. When it became clear that they could not fix the issue within 4 hours they decided to go manual. This means all flight plans have to be entered manually, which is very time-consuming. Therefore, they will not be able to handle anywhere near the usual number of aircraft. It seems like they put a “zero-rate” on which stops aircraft departing for the UK and from the UK that are not already airborne. We were told at Jersey that the delay was indefinite at this point. 

Once they have transferred into manual operations, they will usually try to increase the number of aircraft allowed to take off to a level where they can comfortably work, but this is still very, very limited. 

At around 3.30pm the systems came back on, but by this time, most airlines were having to cancel multiple flights. The flights affected will be mainly domestic and short-haul flights. Airlines will now try to recover as much of the ongoing schedule as they can. 

If you were on Avios there does not need to be Avios availability on the replacement flight.

 

What to do if you are flying from tomorrow onwards

Most airports are expecting to operate normally tomorrow (Tuesday). However, there will be lots of disruption initially as crew and aircraft will be out of place. Make sure you keep an eye on your flights using the airline’s app to track them or something like the Flighty app (although today, that didn’t work at all because it had no data to work from). 

It’s likely that it will be very hard to contact BA for a few days as they have a huge workload trying to get people back to where they should be and will be completely overwhelmed. The airline apps are the best starting point to see what you can do if you have had your flight cancelled or delayed. If you don’t need to contact the airline urgently, please wait. 

If you are flying Club Europe, it is likely you may find that the middle seat is no longer blocked. At times of mass disruption BA do this to try to get people home. It may not be what you paid for, but it is the right thing to do in my opinion. You can try to claim something back from BA as it is not the advertised product, but I am not sure how much success people have had with this in the past. 

British Airways has advised that if you are travelling today but want to change to a later date you can do so free of charge. This applies to anyone flying short-haul from Heathrow, Gatwick or London City Airport. You can fly within 14 days as long as there is a seat in your original booked class. If you want to travel after that there must be availability in the same fare bucket as you booked.

 

For those whose flights were delayed or cancelled today

British Airways Cancelled Flight
Example of automatic rebooking

The same applies in that it will be very hard to get hold of the airline by phone. If there is a chat system or Twitter, you may have more luck with that. The first port of call should be the airline’s website and/or app with Manage My Booking to see if they have rebooked you already. They should notify you, but it’s worth checking. If you booked with a travel agent, you should speak to them rather than the airline initially. 

Unfortunately, there was disruption a few days ago due to weather, so flights that were already almost full due to the Bank Holiday are now completely full. Some people are being told they will have to wait days for a new flight. 

Firstly, I would not immediately accept the option offered if it does not suit you without checking. Before you contact the airline assess your options. It’s likely there are not many flights on any airline, but it is always worth trying something like Google flights to see if you can find an alternative on another airline. BA and some other airlines technically can rebook you on a different airline, but only if you can actually speak to someone.

You may choose to book yourself on something else and reclaim from BA, but be prepared that this could take a while – at least four weeks for many airlines. It is also worth checking your travel insurance to see what they can provide. Obviously, you can look at alternatives such as train, ferry or Eurostar and then claim those back as well. 

You will not be eligible for EU261 compensation for late arrival or late notice cancellation, as the issue was not within the airline’s control. However, the airlines do still have a duty of care to get you to where you were meant to be going and give you accommodation and meals as necessary. 

If the airline has not provided a hotel, you can find one yourself and charge the airline. BA normally suggest around £200 a night, but it depends on where you are and the average rates. Obviously, around Heathrow and major airports tonight, the rates will be very high, so it is always worth screening shotting something like booking.com to show what was available. 

Make sure you keep all receipts from things such as food and drink plus transport such as taxis. While airlines are supposed to provide food and drink, often, in these situations of mass disruption, you may be left to fend for yourselves. I always think it is best in these situations to sort what you can yourself and claim afterwards. 

Have you been affected by the disruption? Let us know in the comments below. 

 

 

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
Reddit
WhatsApp
Pocket
Email
Flip
0 Shares
Related Topics
  • gatwick
  • heathrow
Michele

Previous Article
MGH Mitsui Garden Hotel Room Look
  • Reviews

Comfortable and modern Japanese style in Taipei – MGH Mitsui Garden Hotel review

  • 28/08/2023
  • Callum Elsdon
View Post
Next Article
queue for Border force strikes
  • News
  • Offers

NEWS: ATC failure update, new Marriott earn points bonus and fake Booking.com scam

  • 29/08/2023
  • Michele
View Post
17 comments
  1. Sam says:
    29/08/2023 at 12:13 am

    My sister-in-law and her husband are stuck in LISBON and can’t get a flight back to LONDON. They used EasyJet. Any options for them? They aren’t even offering compensation? What’s the best way of going about it Michelle? Thanks in advance!

    1. Michele says:
      29/08/2023 at 6:13 am

      They would only get a refund or another flight home rather than compensation. But they can claim expenses such as accommodation and food. I’d be looking at booking something themselves perhaps via somewhere else if they can’t rebook via the app today. I suspect it will take until mid morning today for the airlines to catch up. They do have a duty of care to get you back but if there are no flights left it could be in a few days. I’d be looking at options via Google flights or even a combination of flight/train/ferry. I know people who were offered flights on Thursday as the earliest option. If they buy other flights they can claim that back from the airline.

  2. Andrew says:
    29/08/2023 at 6:18 am

    I just received compensation from BA for a cancelled flight last month due to the closure of Catania Airport following a fire at the airport, this involved taking indirect flights from Palermo two days later. Whilst BA booked the flights, I paid out and claimed for the train fare and two nights hotel which were all fully refunded. I did not claim for taxi fares and food. I was happy with that outcome.

  3. Johnny English says:
    29/08/2023 at 7:00 am

    Liable?? Eligible!!

    1. Michele says:
      29/08/2023 at 7:32 am

      Corrected. Was writing that at about 11pm last night after a very long day so not surprised there is a small error.

      1. Clayton says:
        29/08/2023 at 10:41 am

        Tbf being on Propaganda Central, sorry the beeb would exhaust most of us. At least it was remotely so you avoided catching anything 😄

        Personal loathing of them aside, you look great and it’s great exposure for TLFL.

        Flyer talk is gonna be a hoot in a few days & then again in 6 weeks or so when all the newbies make their rage posts & when they aren’t granted 250k Avios and/or £50k for their emotional distress

        Okay I’ll put my bitchy claws away now hehe

  4. Edward Jensen says:
    29/08/2023 at 8:05 am

    I was due to fly in Club Europe to Brussels yesterday on the BA 398 flight at 16:30. My wife informed me of the situation at about 1pm yesterday, so I called BA’s Priority Gold Guest List team and they advised me to come to the airport as normal. I arrived at the airport at 3pm and was informed that my flight BA 398 was definitely cancelled. I was then put on the BA 404 flight which was scheduled to depart at 20:25, but I was informed would not be going until 5:30am the following day. I collected my new boarding pass & strolled to the Sofitel adjoining T5 with the intention of booking myself a room for the night. Fortunately I was travelling with hand luggage only. Prior to heading to reception I checked what the latest status as by then the news was stating that NATS had rectified the problem. At 15:51 I received a text message stating that the BA 404 flight that I had been rebooked on had been cancelled! I tried to use the app and my laptop to access Manage My Booking, but it wasn’t possible, so the advice about the ‘first port of call should be the website’ was not available. Even logging onto the BA website was met with the message, Sorry it’s not possible to access our systems now. So I called the Priority Gold Guest List number again and after a long wait was able to speak to a representative. She confirmed that the 404 flight was definitely cancelled, even though Heathrow’s flight information was stating that it was going to go on time. She searched for alternatives for me and although there was 1 seat available on an 8:15am flight the following morning, it could not be guaranteed that the flight would operate due to the ‘knock-on’ effects of planes and crew not being where they should be. The earliest flight where she was confident that would operate normally would be later on Wednesday. As I was due to return on Thursday anyway, that would not have made my trip worthwhile, so I requested a cancellation of all my flights and the associated car hire. I returned to my car and drove home. Back at home I got onto my laptop and started cancelling hotel reservations and rearranging all the meetings that had been scheduled. I then clicked on the link to the BA website from the numerous emails that I’d received and to my horror the BA 404 that was reported as cancelled, was showing that there would be an On Time departure at 20:25. As it was now after 6pm I judged that there was no way I could get to LHR on time & in any case, I’d just cancelled my trip and all associated reservations! The BA 404 eventually departed at 21:51 – I wish I’d been properly kept up to date.

    1. Michele says:
      29/08/2023 at 6:11 pm

      That sounds like a total nightmare and sadly not an isolated case. Unfortauntely the BA website and other no doubt simply could not keep up with the volume of people trying to access it. My general advice would be that the situations change constantly as crews and aircraft back into place and people decide to abandon their flights. So for anyone still stuck my advice is keep checking yourself.

  5. Duncan says:
    29/08/2023 at 12:10 pm

    When I heard your dulcet tones on the Radio 2 news bulletin at 2pm, Michele, my first thought was that one of the IT Crowd had decided that a bank holiday would be a good day for ‘scheduled maintenance’. 🙄

    I then had visions of all the airline’s ‘suits’ rushing to airports/call centres to support their beleaguered customers & front line staff. A notification of possible disruption to a flight I have today soon took me out of that wishful dwam 🤣

  6. Sam says:
    29/08/2023 at 2:11 pm

    Thank you Michelle and rest for the info. Hopefully EasyJet will compensate and refund after they submit all the receipts. The husband is going today on BA hopefully and sister in law tomorrow also on BA hopefully. But now they are out of pocket £1500 including hotels. So far EasyJet not answering phones either so we have very little hope for any help.

  7. Lynne A says:
    29/08/2023 at 2:25 pm

    Happy to report we’ve just returned from Verona as scheduled, on time and without hassle via BA. The only delay we suffered was waiting for valet parking to deliver our car upon arrival at Gatwick!
    We were very lucky as we’d been expecting several hours of delay or even an overnight stay
    That said the BA Gold Line proved to be a complete waste of time when we tried to call last night for info and we were cut off without being able to speak to anyone

    1. Michele says:
      29/08/2023 at 6:08 pm

      That’s great news

  8. Sam says:
    29/08/2023 at 2:28 pm

    *Michele
    Apologies

  9. Patrycja Coz says:
    29/08/2023 at 8:53 pm

    Great article on how traffic control works. I’d love to see more like this one as I found it very educational

    1. Michele says:
      30/08/2023 at 7:56 am

      Thanks Patrycja.

  10. Simon says:
    30/08/2023 at 1:11 pm

    Excellent articles Michelle- and in The Times too! I’ve just passed through Gatwick- departing to Grenada (so cannot comment on arrivals) and it was seamless- and strangely ‘quiet’ (well as quiet as Gatwick can be) !Currently enjoying a glass of Balfour sparkling somewhere north of the Canaries!

    1. Michele says:
      30/08/2023 at 4:39 pm

      THanks Simon. Have a great trip.

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to Turning Left for Less

Subscribe

* indicates required
Choose One Subscription Type

BOOK YOUR DREAM TRIP HERE

Want to book your hotel with extra perks such as upgrades and free breakfast? Need help booking flights? Our experts at Winged Boots can help.

Visit our booking page here

Turning Left For Less on Instagram

turningleftforless

Champagne travel on a Prosecco budget. UK blog on how to travel in luxury for less. Forbes contributor. #avgeek #luxurytravel #miles #luxuryhotel

HOTEL REVIEW Fairmont Windsor Park – Our Honest HOTEL REVIEW

Fairmont Windsor Park – Our Honest Spa Stay Review

Link in bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #fairmont #fairmontwindsorpark #windsor
FLIGHT REVIEW Qatar Airways A350 Q-suite Includin FLIGHT REVIEW

Qatar Airways A350 Q-suite Including Al Mourjan lounge by Mark Hopwood

Link in bio

#flightreview #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #qatarairways #qatar #almourjanlounge #qsuite
LOUNGE REVIEW Air Canada’s refurbished London H LOUNGE REVIEW

Air Canada’s refurbished London Heathrow T2 Maple Leaf lounge

Link in bio

#businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #loungereview #aircanada #heathrow
HOTEL REVIEW Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport – best HOTEL REVIEW

Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport – best of a bad bunch?

Link in bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #crowneplaza #crowneplazahotel #crowneplazadublinairport #dublin
FLIGHT REVIEW ITA Rome to Dubai – When Business FLIGHT REVIEW

ITA Rome to Dubai – When Business Class Feels More Like First Class – ITA’s A321neo Surprises!

Link in bio

#flightreview #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #ita #itaairways
FLIGHT REVIEW Virgin Atlantic Business Class From FLIGHT REVIEW

Virgin Atlantic Business Class From London to Atlanta – “I Was Wrong”

Link in bio

#flightreview #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #virginatlantic #virgin #upperclass
HOTEL REVIEW Le Royal Meridien, Dubai – Genuine HOTEL REVIEW

Le Royal Meridien, Dubai – Genuinely a Hidden Gem (Why do we keep going back?)

Link in bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #leroyalmeridiendubai #leroyalmeridien #dubai #uae
FLIGHT REVIEW ITA Business Class – London City FLIGHT REVIEW

ITA Business Class – London City to Rome – Almost Kicked Off for Taking a Photo!

Link in bio

#flightreview #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #clubeurope #ita #itaairways #londoncity
HOTEL REVIEW Malmaison Oxford Hotel – A Prison HOTEL REVIEW

Malmaison Oxford Hotel – A Prison That You Won’t Want to Escape From

Link in bio 

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #malmaison #malmaisonoxford #malmaisonoxfordprisonhotel #oxford
HOTEL REVIEW Hotel du Vin, Birmingham Link in bi HOTEL REVIEW

Hotel du Vin, Birmingham

Link in bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #hotelduvin #hotelduvinbirmingham
FLIGHT REVIEW Gulf Air Business Class Bangkok to FLIGHT REVIEW

Gulf Air Business Class Bangkok to Manchester Via Singapore and Bahrain

Link in bio

#flightreview #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #gulfair
FLIGHT REVIEW Etihad Business Class – Abu Dhabi FLIGHT REVIEW

Etihad Business Class – Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow After a Cancelled BA Flight

Link in bio

#flightreview #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #etihad
HOTEL REVIEW Hotel Spinale, Madonna di Campiglio HOTEL REVIEW

Hotel Spinale, Madonna di Campiglio – The Ultimate Ski Retreat?

Link in our bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #hotelspinale #hotelspinalemadonnadicampiglio #madonnadicampiglio #skiresort #skichalet
Checking out the new No 1 lounge at @heathrow_airp Checking out the new No 1 lounge at @heathrow_airport T2. Very impressed with the elegant feel to the lounge. It’s definitely a step up from the older style of No1. I’d go as far to say that it looks better than quite a few airline lounges. All drinks are included apart from champagne and there was a good selection of tasty food as well. Full review coming soon. #airportlounge #heathrowairport #luxurytravel #no1lounge
Hotel Review on the blog - Intercontinental O2, Lo Hotel Review on the blog - Intercontinental O2, London & the Cable Car Experience. 

Link in our bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #london #intercontinental #intercontinentalo2 #ifscloudcablecar
THE 8 BEST EUROPEAN SKI RESORTS by Turning Left fo THE 8 BEST EUROPEAN SKI RESORTS by Turning Left for Less

Take a look at our handpicked favourites in the article in our bio.

#luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #skiing #skiresort #skiholiday
New hotel review on the blog - Sofitel Kia Ora Moo New hotel review on the blog - Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Hotel, French Polynesia

Link in bio 

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #sofitel #sofitelkiaoramoorea #frenchpolynesia
Flight review on the blog - Thai Airways from Melb Flight review on the blog - Thai Airways from Melbourne to Bangkok – ‘Old School’ but Classy 🇦🇺✈️🇹🇭

Link in bio

#flightreview #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelreview #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #instaaviation #avgeek #thaiairways #thailand
HOTEL REVIEW 🇺🇸 Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beac HOTEL REVIEW 🇺🇸

Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach – Boutique Charm Meets Art Deco

Link in bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #miamibeach #southbeach #miami #nautilussonesta #boutiquehotel
HOTEL REVIEW 🇵🇫 Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resor HOTEL REVIEW 🇵🇫 

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, French Polynesia

Link in bio

#hotelreview #luxurytravel #luxurytravelblog #travelblog #turningleftforless #luxuryhotel #frenchpolynesia #hiltonmoorea #hilton #moorea
Follow on Instagram
Categories
Contact us

[email protected]

Unit 143857

PO Box 6945

LONDON

W1A 6US

Privacy Policy

Find out about our privacy policy and advertising disclosure here.

Turning left for less
Champagne travel on a Prosecco budget

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

%d