sabbasolo

2/25 UA 954 SFO TLV was diverted mid-air to IAH, reportedly because of some smell in the cabin/cockpit.

Here is what it showed in details of flight status on EF.

0954/25FEB
P SFO/OUT 838P L00.38 ☨
P SFO/OFF 905P
P IAH/ON 310A
P IAH/IN 319A
F IAH/ETD 630A
P TLV/ETA 840P L00.30 MAINTENANCE
F TLV/ETA 232A L06.22
D CRC/PAX PROTECT FOR SFOIAH DVRT IS UA2216/26FEB. NOC
D FCF/DVRT IAH ENRT SFO-TLV A/MAINTENANCE
D HDQ/SFO IAH PROT UNDER GG CNL PVG☨
D HDQ/SFO IAH PROT UNDER GG CNL PVG

SKED SFO ORIG 800P GTD 91 SHIP 3909
TLV 810P TERM 1 GTA C7


Much of it is self-explanatory, but could someone expand/translate the rest? Especially the meaning of the codes in the first letter of each line, and the lines regarding protection for passengers?

thanks

RobOnLI

"GG CNL PVG" is either a typo or UA is too lazy to update SHARES. GG are the codes that an agent can use to lookup policies or procedures for United. GG CNL PVG would be the lookup code for a cancellation to Shanghai (PVG) airport. Unless PVG stands for something else in this case but I haven't seen it. They either meant to type GG CNL TLV or they are just re-using a policy they have already called "PVG".

The policy likely lays out which hotels in IAH, how much to provide in food vouchers, etc.

Passengers are also being rebooked on UA2216 on 26Feb which will be an IAH-TLV segment.

The initial letter code could be from whoever entered the data into the system.

-RM

sammyindc

Why diverted to IAH not ORD or even just returned back to SFO?

rmadisonwi

Most likely the availability of a replacement 787 and/or crew.

ORD wouldn't have one, DEN (which they flew right past) probably wouldn't have one either.

clubord

Correct!

No 787 pilot bases in ORD or DEN.

gene2632

Returning to SFO could have presented a too much fuel on board issue so rather than flying in circles to burn or dump fuel continue on to IAH and make some progress

findark

Initial letter indicates which kind of data the line contains. P is actuals, F is estimates, and D is comments.

Agree "GG CNL PVG" is weird - could definitely be a typo. Delays are under GG CN1 and GG CN2.

Often1

OP's makes diversion determinations based on myriad factors. Safety first. If this were an emergency, the diversion would be to the closest airport which could handle the aircraft. If that required dumping fuel, so be it.

Otherwise, the station which least impacts the situation. Even if SFO did not require a fuel dump, it likely meant a goodly delay unless a spare crew was available because TLV is at the limits for crew already. Given that nobody can make even an educated guess as to what is wrong at the time the diversion is called, if there is an aircraft & crew at IAH, it's off to IAH.

A bit out of the way. But, distance is less important than hours not just for the passengers on the aircraft but for those waiting at TLV for the return.

mherdeg

Hey I wonder when the last time was that a commercial flight operated nonstop IAH-TLV.

txaggiemiles

Not sure either but it wasn't today as that IAH-TLV segment mentioned above was cancelled.

worldtrav

Actually it was today but it continued as UA954/25 Feb.