drowelf

I was on Flight 1146 (787 #3902) this morning, when we had a power/electrical issue. We've ended up being diverted to MSY and they are bringing in a replacement aircraft to continue on. About 75 minutes into the flight the electrical power flickered a couple of times and then I noticed us making a long right hand turn. I was expecting us to be headed back to IAH. Once the AVOD got rebooted I checked the online map and it showed us headed to MSY with a landing in 30 minutes. Up till this point no announcement had been made, so on the way back from a trip to the washroom, I asked one of the FA's when they would be making an announcement about the diversion. She was shocked that I knew about it, and asked how did I know. I calmly replied that the flight map now shows us heading for a MSY landing at 9:25. A few minutes after this, one of the FA's announce the diversion.

buckeyefanflyer

I see the tracking on flight aware. I wounder why the plane went to MSY, looks like it would have been just as close to return to IAH. MSY ground staffe has probably not seen a 787.

buckeyefanflyer

Looks like a 762 flight 6852 is leaving IAH now to pick you up.

drowelf

At first I thought we might be doing just that. What got my attention was that we did a long right turn. It almost seemed that we might have done a 180, but it turned out not to be.

And yes, MSY is not ready for the 787. We had to park away from the gate and they brought up a stairway to deplane us. Also I would suspect that they would also have to bring mechanics out from IAH to service the plane, as I doubt any at MSY are 787 qualified.

The ground staff here is quite happy to get a look as they are taking turns going out and checking it out.

It was interesting deplaning down the stairs. Got a close up look at the plane from the ground. I never realized just how big the engine intakes are.

Wish I could have lingered on the tarmac to get some pictures, but the TSA and Police on hand were discouraging that.

Not quite yet. Its now got a 12 (CST) depature. We have a 2:10 depature scheduled as UA 1755 at this point.

mduell

Do you have the correct flight number?

edit: Nevermind, found it's UAL1146
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/U...330Z/KIAH/KEWR

fragment54

Looks like the EWR->IAH flight this afternoon got a 757-200 subbed in... hope none of you are on that flight. Talk about a letdown.

Madone59

Maybe United is keeping boeing's dream tour going

ualisthebst

Made the news here in Chicago:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,6952404.story

docbert

Interesting that (according to FlightAware) they actually dropped from FL410 to FL350 in the ~6 minutes before they turned around and headed for MSY, and then continued the descent down to FL290 after the turn.

Makes it looks like they knew there was a problem 6 minutes before they turned.

stopdiabetes

And in Houston. http://www.chron.com/business/articl...cy-4090240.php

twoaisleplane

Tomorrow's IAH-DEN-IAH-LAX-IAH flights (which had been schduled to be operated by #3902) are now showing as being operated by aircraft #3905. Is that a fourth 787? I don't think I've seen that aircraft in revenue service yet.

greenpau

I noticed the same here for Thursday IAH-EWR-IAH-SFO - according to a Boeing Paine Field tracking site, it's parked there doing final delivery checks, but not sure how current that listing is...

avi8tir

Wow, the 787 isnt having very good luck with UA. My flight on 12/1 got swapped SFO-IAH.... and (I know its an FA talking) but he told me they've having tons of electrical issues and to avoid the 787 for a couple months until they work them out. I've heard story after story of aircraft swaps the last couple of weeks!

buckeyefanflyer

Flight now enroute to EWR using the 767 but the flight number is now 1755. Why do they change the flight number. I have seen other diversions but they keep the number. Is it because of the aircraft change.

CaptainMiles

I doubt they can get these aircraft ETOPS certified any time soon. We'll probably see them flying domestically for a while longer until they get the reliability up. If you think getting maintenance done in MSY is challenging, imagine trying to do it in ADK after a diversion of a DEN-NRT.