At around 2am on Monday morning, The Thomas Cook Group announced bankruptcy. The announcement was devastating for both those due to travel with the group, as well as those employed by the group. However, in true human spirit, many have put their differences aside to help those left in the aftermath of the collapse.

Thomas Cook, Bankruptcy, What to Do
Thomas Cook declared bankruptcy just after 2 AM this morning. Photo: Thomas Cook

While some of the help offered is to be expected in such circumstances, we wouldn’t even have thought of some of the other assistance. Let’s take a look at some of what’s been offered,

Repatriation

Due to the rules surrounding ATOL protection, the CAA is required to repatriate those stranded by the collapse of Thomas Cook. In the case of some flights, such as between Orlando and Manchester, the aviation authority has chartered aircraft. The Atlas Air Boeing 747 is just one example of this.

However, on high-density routes such as Los Angeles to the United Kingdom, there is no need to charter an aircraft. British Airways has three flights a day between London and Los Angeles, with one being operated by an Airbus A380. In addition, Virgin Atlantic offers a couple of flights between Los Angeles and the UK each day.

British Airways, Cabin Crew Base, Hyderabad
British Airways is helping to rescue stranded Britons from the United States. Photo: British Airways

Given the immense capacity of the route, there is more than enough space to get everybody home without operating an additional flight. In fact, stranded passengers do not need to pay the carriers in order to take advantage of these flights.

The CAA warns passengers that,

“In order to run the most efficient flying programme with the aircraft available to the Civil Aviation Authority, we will not be able to fly all passengers back to their original UK airport.”

For example, while Thomas Cook operates flights from Manchester to Los Angeles, British Airways does not. In these cases, the airline is additionally providing passengers onward flights from London to Manchester at no additional charge where availability exists.

Careers

Additionally, due to the travel group’s collapse, many have been left out of a job including crew and pilots. Other organisations are attempting to offer openings to Thomas Cook staff. For example, easyJet is holding drop in sessions around the UK for affected staff.

EasyJet, Thomas Cook collapse, careers
easyJet is also offering the opportunity to apply for careers to staff who have lost their job. Photo: easyJet

Additionally, Virgin Atlantic has opened an application window specifically for affected Thomas Cook Staff. Available until the 30th of September, the airline stated that the opportunity is suitable for “existing flyers to apply for Cabin Crew with Virgin Atlantic.” Heathrow Airport also has opportunities available.