THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

DECEMBER 9, 2010

Madrid, Nov. 14: The day's only American Airlines flight from Madrid to Dallas has an engine problem shortly after pushing back from the gate. Two hours later, repairs are unsuccessful and the flight is canceled, leaving 225 people stranded. But there is hope: The airline repeatedly tells customers they will have the same seats on the same flight a day later—a promise that turns out to be untrue.
Dallas, Nov. 14: American cancels its flight from Dallas to Madrid. The Boeing 767 is perfectly fine but it is grounded, leaving another 200 people bound for Europe scrambling for seats.
In the end, hundreds of passengers are affected. Appointments and events are missed; sleep is scarce. How a single engine problem can scrub two flights highlights the hardships created when airlines scramble schedules to keep planes moving.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...858551878.html