What do you think?? Have i lost the plot???

[poppie123]

Right here is the situation.

I have a package booked for next Feb to DLP including flights and transfers. I wanted the eurostar but the price I was quoted by first choice was way too much!!
At the time it didn’t even enter my head that I could have booked the Eurostar myself and just book the accommodation and tickets through first choice. ( i didn't know about this site then)

I am flying with Air France and everyone I speak to has nothing good to say about them.(which is not good) Today I had a call from a friend who was frantically trying to sort out alternative arrangements due to strike action by Air France’s cabin crew. I just checked their website and sure enough there is strike action from today until the 29th.

Now I am a known worrier, you name it I worry about it and for weeks now I have been going through all the things that could possibly go wrong with this trip with regard to travel arrangements ( am i the only one who worries like this), fog at Heathrow, even worse snow, delays and now I can add strike action to my list.
Yes yes, I know it is months away but believe me it won’t stop me worrying that they may well still be striking then. i get on my own nerves!!!

Today i checked the Eurostar website and I can book 2 tickets for the dates I want for £130. Would it be such a stupid idea to book them??? i may be £130 poorer but at least then I won’t have to worry about the whole airport thing.!!!
Am I going completely mad or does it not seem like a bad idea?????

 

[Kristina]

Oh you scared me there for a minute ! We too are flying with Air France but on the 14th of November, so it's coming up soon now. I too have heard or at least remember, only a bunch of negatives about them but I booked them because they allowed more luggage than Sterling, which was our other alternative. When I read your post I thought they were striking now until when you leave, phew! They do seem to strike often don't they? Regarding the Eurostar I'm not sure how it works as we live in Sweden, does the ticket price go up as the date gets closer? I guess maybe it could be sold out if you needed to get tickets at the last minute. It's a tough one, me I think I would just go ahead with Air France this trip but next trip boy, Eurostar all the way ! Things will probably be alright and you'l be fine. Hopefully !

 

[giuly09]

Hi Poppie,
i thought i was the Queen of all the Worriers but can see now i am in good company lol

Anyway when i booked our flights i checked every Italian airport close to the place we live, chose the cheapest one (Bologna) and went through their online booking section for the flight that suited our timetable.
It was a code-sharing flight Alitalia/AirFrance.
Now, Alitalia is the Main Italian Company but shame it has BIG money troubles and shortly after i had got tickets they started talking on tv and papers that - unless it finds a buyer - it will stop its job soon.
I was VERY MUCH worried, the best i could think was a strike, the worst the complete dismissal of Alitalia and we having to find another quick last minute solution for the trip.

Needles worry anyway as we discovered when we got at the airport that Alitalia was just a little (very little) name on the ticket and the *real* flights were AirFrance ones. And i have nothing to say about AirFrance but a bit of confusion at the CDG airport for checking in, both trips were great and both ways we got earlier than scheduled.

So stop worrying, everything will be fine

 

[kevankiki]

Can the flight part of your booking be cancelled maybe? It might be worth asking, then you can just go off and book the Eurostar instead.

I've contemplated flying myself, but we always end up booking Eurostar as the cost is about the same for us, and it's so much more convenient!

 

[Cass]

The strike action is only affecting 10% of medium haul flights. 90% are unaffected.

Short and long haul flights are unaffected.

This according to an article I read this morning.

 

[poppie123]

Both of this mornings early flights (6.40 and the 8.45)out of Heathrow to CDG were cancelled as was 2 of last nights arrivals into Heathrow from CDG.

 

[disneyangel]

I wouldn't probably buy the tickets as I'd be upset at spending the £130 potentially on nothong when i could ahve a princess meal and a trip to Buffallo Bill's with it.But you sound like you would rather.
Do you have to name passengers on them , like air tickets because if not you could buy them and auction them on ebay if you then don't need them.

We went last year the week after they were strking at DLRP but luckily they'd finished when we arrived. I hope you have the same luck.

 

[Ware Bears]

I would stick with your original booking. We have just flown with Air France for the first time and got caught up in the strike but their front-of-line staff at the airport were fantastic and looked after us very well. We normally travel by Eurostar but even they had cancelled several trains this weekend (although not the direct DLRP one) so you're not necessarily any safer travelling that way.

It hasn't put us off flying with Air France, the cabin staff were courteous and helpful, we already have booked flights with them for next summer and will continue to fly with them if their prices remain low, especially now Eurostar will no longer be convenient once it changes to St Pancras.

As with all travel, anything can happen ~ the most important thing is to make sure you have travel insurance.