A Christmas vacation turned into a nightmare for Ali and Alice Thorén as their plans to celebrate the holidays with family in Mexico were disrupted by flight delays and cancellations.
The couple had traveled from Gothenburg to Kastrup, Denmark the night before their scheduled 12.20 p.m. flight to Cancun. However, they received a text on the morning of departure notifying them of a five-hour delay. The situation only worsened as their flight was further delayed and eventually canceled due to crew working hour restrictions being exceeded.
After disembarking the plane and enduring chaotic conditions at the airport, the Thoréns were informed that a new flight would be scheduled for Christmas Eve – a day later than planned. However, the replacement flight was not with their original airline, SAS, but with a Portuguese company, Euro Atlantic, that lacked standard amenities for a long-haul flight.
Feeling uneasy about the situation and uncertainty regarding the flight’s departure, the couple ultimately decided to cancel their travel plans. They were disappointed with Tui’s lack of assistance and compensation for the ordeal they had been through.
Nordic communications manager at Tui, Adam Györki, expressed regret over the situation, citing the challenges of finding a replacement crew during high season for travel. He acknowledged the frustration and disappointment among affected passengers.
As a result of the flight complications, Ali and Alice Thorén are now facing the prospect of spending Christmas without their 30 relatives who have already reached Mexico. Alice expressed her anger and sadness, stating that Tui has “ruined the whole Christmas” for them.
The Thoréns’ ordeal serves as a reminder of the potential holiday travel disruptions that can occur and the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges.