Half asleep I heard the captain mention something about JFK and that we wouldn't have enough fuel to make it to DXB because we were consuming more fuel than normal. Sure enough the flight path on the video screen showed we had just made a 180 degree turn. This was 3.5 -4 hrs into the flight.
Interesting to read this on FT. I was anticipating the arrival of several passengers on this flight and didn't know exactly what had happened until after they finally arrived. When I checked the flight status on delta.com, it only displayed the status as "delayed".
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Don't believe everything you think. My Flight Memory
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What the...?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MileTex
As we got nearer to JFK I noticed the Time to Destination changed from 45 minutes to 2:15. Captain then announced JFK didn't have a spare plane for us so ATL was our only alternative.
Why would JFK need a spare plane? Wouldn't they just need some spare fuel? Why go back to ATL for a whole new plane? Wouldn't the plane that the OP was on suffice if it just had enough fuel? Or was the original equipment incapable of making it to Dubai?
I "get" everything else about the OP except this. Educate me, please.
Why would JFK need a spare plane? Wouldn't they just need some spare fuel? Why go back to ATL for a whole new plane? Wouldn't the plane that the OP was on suffice if it just had enough fuel? Or was the original equipment incapable of making it to Dubai?
I "get" everything else about the OP except this. Educate me, please.
I was just about to ask the same thing! There's more to this story ...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evan!
Why would JFK need a spare plane? Wouldn't they just need some spare fuel? Why go back to ATL for a whole new plane? Wouldn't the plane that the OP was on suffice if it just had enough fuel? Or was the original equipment incapable of making it to Dubai?
I "get" everything else about the OP except this. Educate me, please.
I'm out of my element here but didn't the OP write that they were using more fuel than expected? Couldn't that indicate a mechanical problem with the plane, rather than simply the need for additional fuel (e.g. fuel leak)?
I'm out of my element here but didn't the OP write that they were using more fuel than expected? Couldn't that indicate a mechanical problem with the plane, rather than simply the need for additional fuel (e.g. fuel leak)?
I "get" everything else about the OP except this. Educate me, please.
One of the folks I met from that flight discussed this with the pilot as he deplaned. According the pilot, he was getting unreliable fuel level readings from his instruments. He knew they had enough fuel to make the trip, but apparently this write up in the log would have prevented the plane from making the return trip. He also said this is a known issue with Boeing jets(?).
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Don't believe everything you think. My Flight Memory
I also agree that this trip should be refunded completely, and since the form of payment was miles, they should be refunded. Such an extensive delay constitutes grounds for the passenger to cancel.
The only glitch is the fact that the OP did fly the first leg of the trip... I have had several hour flights to nowhere where we ended up returning to the point of origin, but it was always on the first leg of the trip, and I always had the BOS CRC staff to run interference on any refund issues.
Ok. So, I'm sure there's a really good answer to this that I'm not thinking of, but why not divert to, say, LHR or CDG? At least you're closer to DXB than where you started.
Ok. So, I'm sure there's a really good answer to this that I'm not thinking of, but why not divert to, say, LHR or CDG? At least you're closer to DXB than where you started.
According to one of the earlier posts, the captain said the instruments were not reading the fuel as he expected them to. I would hope my captain would err on the side of being able to trust the fuel gauge on the plane and get a functioning one rather than hoping he put enough gas in the tank... so sounds like it was a mechanical rather than perhaps weather.
According to one of the earlier posts, the captain said the instruments were not reading the fuel as he expected them to. I would hope my captain would err on the side of being able to trust the fuel gauge on the plane and get a functioning one rather than hoping he put enough gas in the tank... so sounds like it was a mechanical rather than perhaps weather.
Right, but if I'm reading this correctly, it took some 4-5 hours to get back to ATL from the time the decision was made to divert. Couldn't they, in theory, have diverted to CDG, gotten there in the same amount of time, and flown in a replacement AC or used one that was already there?
I'm truly asking because I'm curious, not criticizing DL's decision.
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Possibly with fuel dissapearing & unaccounted for, it did not seem prudent head out over an ocean? ETOPS limitations are based on statistical probabilities to reach a safe landing after the occurence of a problem, not for tempting fate when you already know you have an issue.
Most airlines don't keep spares of their heavies sitting around. Between NW & DL, I wouldn't be surprised if the only available spares were the pair of NW 747-200s uses for charters (if they still have them, & they were usally parked at MSP).
Nonsense, this is a classic case of a "trip in vain". The OP should get all his miles back plus sufficient miles or vouchers to compensate for the lost prepaid.
Mechanical issues (excess fuel loss or consumption) are 100% the airlines' liability.
Nonsense, this is a classic case of a "trip in vain". The OP should get all his miles back plus sufficient miles or vouchers to compensate for the lost prepaid.
Mechanical issues (excess fuel loss or consumption) are 100% the airlines' liability.
+1. You needed to be in DXB on a certain date. Delta couldn't meet its end of the bargain and you went home. A refund is due.
Best in Class 
So much for bag matching on Intl flights.
