Thoughts on cancelled flights.

Thoughts on cancelled flights.

Afternoon everyone. Got in from an overseas flight to Sydney this morning at 7 am. Had a flight at 12 to Mackay on virgin. At 10 we were told it was cancelled and that they are working to come up with a solution. At 11 we found out we would be flown to Brisbane, stuck there for 5 hours then flown to Mackay, getting in at 9;30. 7 hours after our original arrival time. At 11:30 we were told flight to Brisbane had been cancelled. Had to wait an hour to be told what their next plan is. A few would be flown to Brisbane at 4, then on 8 flight to Mackay. Others would be flying to Adelaide, to Brisbane and then Mackay. We weren't told why the flights were cancelled, I realize Sydney had extreme weather today but The Qantaslinl de havillands were landing, so don't know why the original embraer 190 couldn't take off. Question is, we received no explanation, no apology, no lounge access and not even a food or beverage voucher. My question is, is it unreasonable to expect any of this? I realize lounge access is pushing it, but I have now been at the airport for 7 hour, with 2 more hours to go. Thanks

It's a pain in the ass but it's just one of those things. If airlines were to have spare aircraft  and crew on standbye at various locations, the cost passed onto the passenger wouldn't be fair. As for the E190, maybe it has certain limitations in inclemement weather?

Your pain is porbably compouned by your location. Someone flying onwards to Melbourne, for example, would have a number of backup options.

You could always ask for lounge access but no hope of it being volunteered!

Why on earth would you ever expect to get lounge access for a delay post a cancelled flight?

As Qantas gave me lounge access under similar circumstances 2 or 3 years ago before I even had status with them. And if Virgin is trying to sell themselves as Qantas' equal you would expect them to offer similar customer service. 

As you mentioned, Sydney has has extreme weather today. Flight issues will occur and when issues are that widespread it's hard to provide 'customer service'. 

Look, I understand it's unpleasant but the weather is massively screwing everything across the state and there is only so much that can be done.

It is OK, but I am with OP - in such circumstances carriers should be more cooperative and more apologetic. And it uses to be so more than decade ago.

When things are in carriers control I agree, but in these circumstances perhaps we the passengers need to be more understanding and expect less. 

In this particular case, state emergency services have been doing everything they can and it is really beyond the airlines' control.

Quite frankly, to be stuck in a very solid airport terminal is a pretty good gig in this situation. To have been indoors in Terminal 2 would have been a much better proposition compared to me freezing my fingers off in the wind tunnel that is Chatswood (remedied with a visit to Mrs Field's for a chai and a cookie), to say nothing of the towns being flooded, the houses being washed away and the people being displaced and even killed up in the Hunter.

I am indoors and under a roof tonight. I trust the OP has either made it home to Mackay or has been put up in a hotel overnight. With a roof over our heads and power to keep up safe and warm (and online!), we are having it good tonight.

Having said that, I know that QF have given out $20 vouchers for mechanicals (including to myself once when QF51 was delayed by four hours), but I'm not sure about their weather policy. I can understand the OP's frustration, but please, take a deep breath and put it into context.

Unfortunately when this happens, it tends to work in order. So if you're flying economy without status you're likely going to be the last one to "get looked after" by the airline. Also, having been involved in similar situations a few times, when there are lots of delayed or cancelled flights, the lounge becomes very busy, even at the larger lounges in Sydney and Melbourne. So letting more people in would be an issue. They also usually stop serving booze when it happens. Not that that's relevant to the question!! Best wishes on your journey back to Mackay. Hope you finally made it!

Stop serving booze. That would just compound the misery.