Olympic Airlines cancels flights June 25 – July 6
We started our journey on June 25 (Wed) and got to Chania/Crete after 27 hours.
At Frankfurt airport we were informed to contact the Olympic Airlines counter as soon as we get to Athens, because not only our last leg Athens – Chania got canceled, but also our return flight on July 6th.
At the Frankfurt counter a post advised passengers to get a copy of the EU 26 regulations which informs us of our rights. Strangely though, none were available. Then I was told to go to another counter, waited for a few minutes, the lady informed she had to make a copy first, and waited even longer for her to return…
Both flights, Frankfurt-Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki – Athens, left with delays and without apologies. Service was the worst I have ever experienced. One flight-attendant spilled Coke on me by handing me cracked plastic cup. No apology, just a tiny napkin. My top and bottom were covered with sticky Coke spots.
On the second leg we remained seated and more passengers got on. We asked for water but were ignored.
In Athens, we stood in line for one hour to confirm our new flight for the next morning. Then we stood in line for another 30 minutes to get our hotel. The employees seemed more agitated than us – when I finally inquired why flights were canceled, we were told this was due to technical problems and after a few seconds, she gave the real answer: “It may be a strike.” Quite frankly, most of the staff seemed overworked and underpaid anyway.
Then we were taken to a very nice hotel by the beach where we got a few hours of sleep before we had to get up at 3:00 to catch the 3:30 bus to take us to the airport once more.
Our little patio overlooking the ocean
Our first impression of the Aegean Sea
Again, the next morning’s flight was delayed by one hour and sitting in a very hot parked aircraft without ventilation is not a good way to start your day.
So, our return flight is canceled and I have to make phone-calls and send e-mails on my very first day to rearrange our return. For passengers with canceled flights, check out your rights as a traveler
This sheet of information is available in every EU language.
Tags: canceled flights, Olympic Airline strike
June 26th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
There must be something in the air causing such bad service. You should read what happened to me in Bad Homburg yesterday: http://tinyurl.com/3l27qy
June 27th, 2008 at 12:10 am
[...] here: Olympic Airways cancels flights June 25 – July 6 Posted on June 26th, 2008 by in Flight Cancellations 2008-at-328-pm, airline, airport, athens, [...]
July 30th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
[...] of you might have read my earlier posts about Olympic Airlines and our two canceled flights, which not only shortened our holidays, but also brought on extra work (unsuccessful calls, [...]