PASSENGERS travelling from Orlando to Manchester were stranded in the US for 52 hours after their Thomas Cook flight was cancelled.
The flight was originally due to depart at 4:35pm on Saturday, but was delayed and eventually after the plane was damaged.
According to Manchester Evening News, flight MT2753 had to be cancelled because the aircraft was damaged following a collision with a baggage cart.
Initially the flight was just delayed, while the airline investigated the damage.
Passengers were given some light refreshments, but after four hours, the flight was cancelled.
Passenger Amanda blamed Thomas Cook for “poor communication”.
She told M.E.N: “At this point no information had been given on where we were going or when or how we would get there.”
After another hour waiting for their baggage, passengers were taken to a Hyatt Hotel for the overnight stay.
The following morning, they were told their flight was scheduled for 8:30pm on the Monday, 52 hours later than planned.
Other passengers took to social media to complain.
David Cook tweeted: “@ThomasCookUK so now we’ve been told we have a 52 hour delay!!!??? What on earth???
“We are currently sat at the airport with no information at all, I have spoken to other passengers and they said they got £45 food vouchers and everything but because we didn’t stay at the hotel airport we haven’t receive ANYTHING. Absolute joke!
“There are no Thomas cook representatives. This is becoming a joke.”
Keith Harrison tweeted: “The lack of info and Thomas cook reps at the airport is extremely poor.”
Twitter user Lisa LLiffe wrote: “Cancelled @ThomasCookUK flight from Orlando to Manchester shocking customer service so far, no comms, 1 bus to transfer 300 people to a hotel 30 mins away. We won’t be using them again.”
A Thomas Cook spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “While baggage was being loaded, the aircraft was damaged.
“Our experts immediately assessed the aircraft in view to getting our customers on their way as quickly as possible, however further investigation was required.
“All customers disembarked and were provided with local hotel accommodation and refreshments.
“The safety of our customers and crew is always our first priority. The flight will bring customers back to Manchester tonight on a different aircraft at 8:30pm local time.”
Thomas Cook was previously found to be the airline that is late the most.
More than three quarters of their flights did not arrive on time, according to FlightCompensation.com
Earlier this year, Sun Online Travel revealed 400 passengers were left stranded abroad after their Virgin Atlantic flight was delayed three times, only for it to be eventually cancelled.
